A VC in Vacationland

English: tape measure from Sweden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My grandfather was a carpenter, and a good one. Grandpa Anderson immigrated from Sweden when he was 16. He had no choice. The family needed money and he had to go to America to earn it.  No matter he did not speak the language and had no skills. He had to make it as the family was depending on him. He built a house by himself in his late 70's and worked up until a few weeks before he died. 

He taught me a valuable life lesson from his carpentry work–measure twice; cut once. When you are working with expensive woods, which he did often, it saved a lot on waste and money.

It also applies to life. I have learned that thinking about something for a while, rather than giving a quick reply gives me more time to "measure" my response and not "cut" to an answer too quickly. And I have learned that your "measured" repsonse may be different in the morning, or a few days later, so no need to rush a reply if timing is not critical. 

There's something to be said for "quick and dirty" decisions, but considering all the angles is not a bad way to reach a more optimal choice.