As a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information.

Most outcomes people call talent or luck rest on knowing something earlier or more accurately than everyone else in the room. Good information is not glamorous; it is calls made, questions asked, sources checked, and a willingness to hear things you were hoping were not true. The temptation is always to act on what you assume rather than spend the awkward hour finding out.

Before the next decision that matters, name the one fact that would change your mind, then go and get it. Ask the person closest to the problem rather than the person closest to you. Being well informed is mostly the habit of asking one more question than feels necessary.