Advice is an interesting thing. At times we welcome it and others times we don’t. Sometimes we get good advice and other times it’s just awful. There are, however, the occasional bits of advice that stick with us. Whether it’s from your grandma, a good friend, a teacher or simply a song you heard on the radio. Certain advice appeals to us more than others.
How you approach life says a lot about who you are. There are some who are content to passively sail through it, hoping they land where they need to be and know what to do when the time comes. Then there are others, who make active choices to understand who they are and what they want, and set the goals that will keep them moving in the right direction. However a big part of having a successful life, is learning how to cope with the lessons that life has to teach us. On the way we receive advice from people we meet, loved ones etc… For this reason, I wanted to look at the best pieces of advice I came across and she them.
Advice I put on my best list and still refer too
- Never have any regrets, because what you did is what you wanted at the time and that led you to where you are today.
- Don’t feel sorry for yourself.
- The secret to success is waking up early.
- Don’t take life too seriously.
- Don’t take anything personally. Nothing other people do is actually about you. If we let what others say affect us, we set ourselves up for needless pain
- A little goes a long way. A bit of love will get you through just about anything. Some kindness from a friend will get you to the next day. A little happiness can keep you going.
- What’s your greatest regret?
- You made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time.
I found that last idea profoundly liberating. When you’re contemplating your own mistakes and so called failures, it lets you off the hook. It says, “You did your best, didn’t you? Now quit beating yourself up and be happy you learnt something.
To create a life without limits and thrive we must first stop following some of the old advice we’re given when we were young. Some things no longer work for us. The habits we’ve developed based on those deep rooted beliefs we hold on to so dearly can actually hold us back.
Like everyone, we learn lessons as we make our way through life and work. If we’re lucky, we pick up some good advice along the way. Let’s review some of the advice you ‘re given when we were young and is shapping your life.
Exercise
Write down the best advice you received.
Refection
Once you’ve completed the exercise. Now reflect on your answer using the following questions.
- Is the advice positive or negative?
- Is it given to you as an act of encouragement or as a warning?
- Does it point you towards the potential for greatness that you’ve inside of you or does it caution you against those who might take advantage?
- What made you decide this advice is the best?
- How has this advice served you in your life so far?
Knowing what you know now in life through your experiences how do you currently feel about this advice? Does it still apply fully or do you feel it needs some tweaks. Or do you feel it no longer serves you in your life. If this is the case are you ready to let it go.
Release what no longer serves you
For the advice you’re ready to let get off create a small letting go ritual. In my ritual I start by thanking the advice for how it has served me in my life so far. Then I say goodbye for it will not serve me to get me to my next destination on my life’s journey. Finally, I like to then burn it in a small fire.
