Why do I identify a problem arising, then allow it to happen

A case in point - last night I decided to help my partner by doing the ironing. Some of the socks felt a little cold, like there was still some moisture in them. However, I paired them anyway and put them in the wardrobe. I've done this very same action before. The socks were not entirely dry, I knew enough to check them, yet I put them away anyway. The previous time I did this my other half went nuts at me - the same again this time - because I 'just don't learn'. I hear this said of me a lot. But that's incorrect, nothing at all wrong with my memory! I do learn, and I am quite perceptive at identifying problems. However I don't see far enough ahead to think about potential repercussions of not taking preventative action. Thus, I let things play out as though there isn't a problem occurring - it's as though I honestly believe luck will step in and the outcome will still be fine. Yet people still ask why I don't drive despite having a licence!

Same situation at work a few weeks ago. I saw something going wrong, I had time to make amends and recover 90% of the project but I allowed it to continue whilst the errors accumulated. Ultimately the project was completed very inadequately and I was left with a feeling of 'I'll know not to let this happen next time'. I've felt that countless times before!

I'm far from stupid, but sometimes I act (personally and professionally) with utter incompetence and it's really starting to frustrate me to the point of exacerbating the problem even further - it's wrecking some really great skills I posess. I have become convinced that this isn't just a bad habit I can shake off but is something deeply ingrained in my psychology.

Does my situation chime with anyone else? Have you been able to improve?