This is a fairly common question, and there isn't a One True Answer, but still, this represents a consensus from #git

1. Don't panic

Tools, resources, reflog and other locations for missing data

1. Backups

Take backups

1. Chose a workflow

A standard workflow is best.

1.1. Branch workflows 1.1. Distributed workflows 1.1. Security model 1.1. Master repository

1. Dividing work into repositories

1.1. One concept per repository.

1.1. Repository for large binary files

1.1. Separate repository for continual changes to history

1.1. Group concepts into a superproject

Use git-submodules or gitslave to group multiple concepts.

1. Useful commit messages

1. Integration with external tools

1.1. Web views 1.1. Bug tracking 1.1. IRC/chat rooms

1. Keeping up to date

Overlap with workflow. Not everyone agrees with these ideas (but they should!)

1.1. Pulling with --rebase 1.1. Rebasing (when possible) 1.1. Merging without speeding

1. Cleaning

Clean up your git repro every so often.