Exactly how I run things too. Building a realistic wait time right into the first quote saves so many headaches later. Gavink95 is spot on about managing client expectations from the very start. The few times I tried being overly optimistic, clients just got angry over delays I warned might happen. Setting that clear buffer means they trust the timeline instead of questioning every update. Have you found certain clients still push back even with full transparency up front?

Remember that article about the guy who solo hiked the Pacific Crest Trail? He talked about how the silence at first made every crackle in the woods sound like a bear. After a few nights, his brain just tuned out the normal sounds and only woke him for real dangers. Said it was like his fear switched off once he got used to being alone. Makes you wonder if we're all just scared of the unknown, not the actual risks. Have you ever had a moment where your fear just clicked off like that?

Accepting reality, @butler.iris... but 'and' means building on it.

Honestly though, why do we even pay that much attention to the hype cycle? It's like watching the same movie trailer get re-cut every few months. The tech gets a little better, sure, but it's not like my life changes because a model can summarize a longer article slightly faster. Real, useful technology creeps in slowly without all the fanfare. People just get way too emotionally invested in the marketing launches. Is it really that serious to get worked up over?