Before The Pull And How To Swing It

I like my top image cause it so much coincides with this post.

I can't speak for everyone, however for myself when I'm about to do anything, I think about it. This isn't of course to say I sit there and take a long time thinking. Some things I think and react to in less than a blink of an eye.
I like using things that aren't WOW to make a connection of similarity, when speaking about the game. :)
When I'm at the bowling alley having fun, or I'm bowling my league games, it doesn't change how I'm thinking. Granted when I'm out having fun I sometimes do elect to not put as much thought into it. But that in itself is thinking about it and making a decision.
When I look over to the return with the numerous bowling balls, before I even pick one of mine up, I start thinking. I don't think about my next shot before that point. While I'm waiting my mind is on other things. I don't like to dwell on what just happened longer than necessary to figure what happened out.
If my last shot seemed to run high, was it because I just threw it fucked up? Are the lanes dry or more oily? From there I make a decision on which of my 3 to pick up. "Well the lanes are running dry, I'll use my Hyde because it reacts more mildly, that'll work great."
After I throw the ball, and it connects to the pins I make an assessment.
In WOW my thought process is the same. For most trash its my mind thinking about whatever. Not too much focus going on after I pull the mobs and ensure I have threat on them all. Often times my eyes wander off to other parts of the instance room, to see what others are doing. But when we get to a boss room I immediately start thinking. While someone is explaining the fight, I'm in my own world setting myself up. What tricks work with this boss? If its a dual tank fight I think about the other tank. "Have I tanked this boss or others with that person before?", in the case of Dreador where I've tanked with him for quite some time I know his tendencies and capabilities. So I think less on what he's going to be doing, I pretty much already know. After that I consider the abilities the boss has, and how I have to react to them. Is there some sort of spike in damage that's predetermined that I may have to be ready to pop a CD? Should I switch around some gear to maybe give me a better advantage? Will there be adds involved? In the case of maybe a third tank, is it a possibility that I may want to keep a weather eye out in case they miss something?
(I feel it's a big thing to be ready to snap a taunt or bubble etc on someone, it might not be 'your job' but if your able to.. IT IS YOUR JOB)
I feel being prepared and considering the in's and out's completely of a fight gives your raid an edge, even if it's just you that's doing so.
Back in Naxx there was quite a few times I was tanking KT and had to taunt the adds and howl for MD's/Tricks because the OT's died. Often gaining praise from it, but more importantly, it kept a wipe from happening.
To hell with going the extra mile, lets be honest. Going the extra "Inch" is a big thing. Having been able to do so, has afforded me and my raids many more successful encounters, where anywhere else with other people, it would have ended in disaster.
In a fight like Razerscale, if the other tanks die, I've always knew ahead of time the health of the boss, and likely hood of killing. If it's even remotely possible, I pop shield wall. "Calm down, Shield Wall and Trinket is popped, just heal me, it's alright."
Often times we make it through. Not only because I held threat, and popped what I needed to possibly survive. But the fact that I took command and quelled the chaos that was no doubtedly welling up in everyone. Take the bull by the horns, and exact control over the situation. Call out exactly what you just did, give a very prompt order for people to follow and do it calmly but loud enough that it chimes through to peoples heads.

More than anything in my endeavors, I've found that honestly, it's the small things that make the greatest impacts on what I've done or been known for in tanking. From these experiences and knowing the above, I can safely say it's one of the handful of things that's granted me a solid name in tanking.

Don't just rest on your laurels, perfect what you do, and how you do it.