How many times have you stood there after a close call, just feeling that cold dread wash over you? I get it completely... that moment when you realize how fast a simple job can go wrong. It's so easy to get focused on the task and forget about everything else around you. Having someone spot you isn't just smart, it's a total sanity saver. That gut feeling after a near miss is the worst, but it sure teaches you to slow down.
You ever just stare at the gutter after a stunt like that and just shake your head at yourself? I once tried to use a tractor bucket to get a kite out of a tree and put a dent in my porch roof. The whole "this seemed like a good idea" phase hits different when you're ten feet up in heavy machinery. You're not alone in the almost-caused-thousands-in-damage club.