My Advice

I don’t go out of my way to offer advice. But when I’m asked for advice I lead with this.

“Don’t take my advice. Or anyone’s advice. Trust yourself. For good or for bad, happy or unhappy, it’s your life, and what you do with it has always been entirely up to you.”

-Nicholas Sparks (The Best of Me)

With that said, here’s my advice.

Don’t ask for advice. Instead seek knowledge and experience.

When others offer advice, use what suits you and discard everything else.

Live a thoughtful, deliberate life.

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

-Henry David Thoreau

Don’t let life come to you. Doing so will surely lead to discontent. Intentionally plan your life. Then go out and live it.

Live your life according to your values. Your values are what you do, not what you think or say you'll do.

“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”

-C. G. Jung

Don’t know your values? Figure them out. It’s a single-digit list. Prioritize them. Then live them.

We rarely regret what we do. We often regret what we don’t do.

“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.”

-Grace Hopper

Don’t live with regret. If you feel regret, reconcile it. If you can’t reconcile your regret, move on from it.

Pay yourself first. (I’m not talking about money here.)

Take care of yourself. You are your most valuable asset.

And finally, don’t talk too much.