As a person who has made countless mistakes, who am I to offer good advice? I’ve asked myself this question many times as I’ve struggled with my writing and if my words bear any weight. But why?
We’re all trying to make sense of this spectacle called life, but we’re not meant to be exact replicas. As imperfect beings, we won’t always get it right the first (or second) time. Along the way, we’ll also come to realize not everyone follows the same path or learns at the same pace. Add to that our differing wants and needs, and it’s no wonder just existing gets complicated.
But What Does This Have to Do with Giving Good Advice?
One great wisdom piece of wisdom I’ve come to learn is that no one has all the right answers. This means it’s not always going to be a guru, like Tony Robbins, who sparks the light bulb in our heads. More likely, an acquaintance who has improved upon their prior lack of boundaries will inspire you to strengthen your own. Or possibly, an unexpected, yet insightful comment from a stranger on the morning train will set your brain in motion, and help you move forward.
Pay Attention and Listen
This doesn’t mean we should discount otherwise great advice, especially from proven experts. Sometimes it’s the people who have gone through what we have and come out on the other side who can offer the most relevant advice or solace.
What it does mean is there’s no be all, end all when it comes to giving or receiving good advice. Sometimes the best advice comes from sources we may have never considered. For instance, someone new to your field may offer an entirely new perspective precisely because he or she is new. We often have an innate curiosity and a lack of preconceptions or expectations as we navigate something for the first time.
One Key Factor
The key factor to remember is this. It was never about perfection. Even if life starts out messy, it’s how we overcome, grow, and adapt into better human beings during the process that creates a satisfying life. And in the end, wouldn’t that give us all a unique perspectives to offer?
