Wanted: The Most Helpful Advice You’ve Ever Received
Advice often gets a bad rap. People advise you not listen to advice, which is, of course, advice.
Yet, words of wisdom from another person often make our journey on earth much easier. They may have already experienced something you are going through now. Or, they’ve lived longer and know what worked for them during the more trying times of life. While some advice may not be right for you, other advice may be.
Can you please dig deep into your life memories and share the one piece of advice that’s helped you most in life and who gave it to you? Think of this as a giant advice column for the folks who will read it.
I will go first.
About 18 years ago, I was taking a walk on my corporate lunch break with L. – a colleague I didn’t know very well. We got to talking about my angst at work. He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and said, “Quit your job without another one. It will liberate you.” I’d been trained to go from job to job. To fear being unemployed. To believe it spelled economic doom. It took me 9 months to get up the courage to quit. But I did. It changed the trajectory of my life in a powerful way. I had a much better job in less than a year doing something completely different. Then, when I needed to move on from that job, I didn’t think twice about leaving it.
If I hadn’t made the leap, I shudder to think what economic corner I’d be cowering in right now. Thank you L.!
Your turn … Thanks, G.
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Follow the Golden Rule and do a little good each day. This is advice I have received in so many ways and it works as well today as it did when I was a kid.
Not always easy to do, but, worth it in the end.
Hi Lou,
You are fortunate to have been told about The Golden Rule at a young age. I didn’t learn it until about 10 years ago. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all practiced it?
Yes, I agree it can be hard at times, especially when you face off with folks who do not practice it. Those are the times that try folk’s souls.
I may suggest that my town adopt this motto. It would stop a lot of the infighting.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, G.
I’m not big on giving advice myself but one that I heard many years ago and don’t think twice to pass on is that politics is always regulating personal matters (health care, equal pay, our environment, the food we eat, etc.) so it’s best to participate in the system before politicians come anywhere near taking away our right to get involved.
Hi Belinda,
Really important info for citizens.
Our government gets shaped by our level of engagement. If we don’t engage, we get what those who are engaged want. Not always in our best self interest.
Thanks! G.
This post reminds me of why I connected with you in the very beginning. I also quit my job without another one and had three separate conversations with people within a week of quitting my job. I blogged about two of those conversations this week. But probably the best, most concise advice I’ve received is from my husband who once told me not to make decisions out of fear.
Hi Angie,
Great advice from your husband. The invisible hand of fear slaps us with some horrible decisions. These are evident everywhere you look in the world. Creates some extreme overreactions.
Of course, I feel making millions of folks go through radiating body scans has got to be near the top of the list.
We end up making catastrophic decisions with fear wrapped around us. We often bring on the fear we fear.
Our life paths have definitely crossed in many ways — all good! Will check out yor post. Thanks, G.
Unfortunately, advice is too freely given and often not right for the other person. Twice, well-meaning friends advised me on how to invest my money and both times, I lost it all.
Best advice I got was when I was job-hunting in London, after a year in advertising in New York. My father told me, “Know your worth. Don’t settle for less than a top salary and a position with a future.” I found a job – at a top salary – that led to a career as an advertising exec at a time (mid 60s) when men still dominated the business world.
Hi Penelope,
Money advice often falls into the bad advice category.
I like what your father said, “Know your worth.” Not too many folks ever hear anything like that. The first time I heard it was about 5 years ago. And the first time anyone said anything profound to me, I was well into my 20’s.
Thanks! G.
I was once told, “Don’t ever give advice. If, IF you’re asked, help people see their options so that they can make an informed choice. But it has to be their choice or they’ll never learn a damned thing.” And then a climber friend said, “Avoid yellow snow.” It’s a toss-up…
Michael,
I’ve gotten bad advice and good advice. Maybe the good advice is wisdom? If it wakes me up in some way, then I give it a look. A friend once advised me to not wear white, just cream with my skin tone. Man, was she right. It was washing me out and I didn’t even realize it. That advice I took. Your post looks intriguing.
Thanks, G.