Foundation

It sounds like a wise old Indian saying. “How long can a tree remain standing without the roots?”  Or maybe a Chinese proverb.  It was in fact something that James Clear said  in his email, “"Don't overlook the basics. Don't ignore the foundation. How long can a tree remain standing without the roots?"
It is something that means a bit to me.  I think the basics in my life are really important.  I would pass construction sites walking to work.  I was always fascinated to see how deep sites went as that told me how big the building as expected to be.  I would be one of those starting though viewing slits at holes in the ground.
I have started construction on my site but the building was not good.  Something was wrong.  The foundation.  I would do things that totally went against best practice and needed to tear down what I had started and start again.
The blue print I followed was inadequate for the building I wanted to construct.  Once I tore it down and followed another blue print rather than the one I thought was adequate I could built to my hearts content.  I certainly needed to follow the plans I had and I knew to deviate signalled disaster.
I did not want that.  I want what I do to last and be strong and safe for me and for others.
It has meant sometimes doing what may be contrary to what I thought but then I do not know best.  Building is something I am a novice at but want a good construction.
For me it is a case of better late then never.  It really does not matter to me as long as what is available is good.  Ok it may or not be a mansion being built but liveable is good to me.  And clean.
We watched a selling houses Australia that featured a house for sale that had 7 people in it.  It was too small.  Four sons slept in one bedroom.  But it was clean.  The selling houses Australi people said they had never been in a house so clean. 
In a sense it had to be.  The kids were so regimented they kept the place tidy.  They really had to be that way for their own sanity.
I do not mind if my place is small clean and habitable.  What matters to me is it is well constructed.  Built so that all inhabitants are safe and protected.
I do agree with James Clear.  Foundations matter.  To do it right I need to start right.