Okay here goes! When I was learning and for about two years after my field nickname was "Shredder"! Seems I had a penchant for trying to fly limbo through the landlords barbed wire fences. A few things I've learnt over the years:

a. NEVER say out loud that you're gonna fly one more flight before you head for the barn - guaranteed crash.
b. Never applaud yourself (or your plane) too much before flying a new plane or flying it for the first time at a new field. ( I belong to two clubs). If someone asks "how's it fly?" just answer "hopefully up in the air!"
c. Always use fresh fuel (gas or glow) it's amazing how a sputtering engine will konk out always at the wrong moment!
d. Always make sure your prop nut is secure (been there done that).
e. If something ain't right on the ground it sure won't fix itself in the air, re-kitting excepted!
f. Don't do something stupid like stuff a plastic garbage bag in the fuse (I'll let you guess why). This ain't the Boy Scouts so you don't need to get that prepared!
g. For heavens sake grab the frequency pin (and make sure it's the right one). My age is showing, yes I still fly FM/PCM.
h. Never laugh at anyone who crashes, the gods have a way of remembering the snickering!
i. When you do crash just remember not to cry openly, it ain't manly!
j. As Clint Eastwood said in "Dirty Harry", "A man should know his limitations", know yours and stay within them! (Easier said than done).
k. NEVER let you significant other know you've crashed, they seem to know that means a new plane.

Hope these thoughts help!

Happy Flying!

Loopman

One more thing! Every landing is a controlled crash! So have fun!