I can’t count the number of sentences that have been spoken to me that start with “if you want my advice…”
Of course, most of the time, I didn’t, because the thing about advice is, it’s everywhere, and most of it isn’t very useful.
That’s why it can be helpful to distinguish what’s worked vs. what hasn’t in retrospect, and then, say, compile the working ones in some kind of Twitter thread, like this.
What is a piece of advice someone gave you that ended up being SURPRISINGLY good?
— Amanda Deibert (@amandadeibert) March 21, 2021
Let’s see if we can get wiser, shall we?
13. Does this need to be said?
This man is an international treasure.
— Herostratus (@Herostratus356) March 22, 2021
12. Be a friend
If you wouldn’t talk that way about anyone else, don’t talk that way about you.
Talk to yourself like you would talk to a friend. (In cases when you feel blue, screwed up, etc. Self-compassion can be challenging, but oh so important.)
— ?202-224-3121 (@belleradio) March 22, 2021
11. Believe them
Benefit of the doubt is one thing, denial of reality is another.
Obviously don’t know her personally, but Maya Angelou “when people show you who they are, believe them”.
— Nick Walker (@nw3) March 22, 2021
10. No sorrys
As someone who’s worked a bit as an actor, shame on the performers who get so full of themselves they make the crew around them feel the need to apologize for their existence.
“Don’t apologize for doing your job.”
Said to me by an actor when I was doing sound back in film school, apologizing for needing to mic him. Obvi this doesn’t apply if ur a cop/shitty landlord/jeff bezos. But other than that, solid advice.
— Carrie Smith (@thatcarriesmith) March 22, 2021
9. Sweep the floor
You know what they say, if you’ve got time to lean…
If you’re new at a service industry job and have that anxious feeling of not being sure what you’re supposed to be doing right now, sweep the floor. Nobody will ever get mad at you for sweeping. If its an office job, hold some papers in your hand, look annoyed and walk one way.
— Quitter (@Quitterofthings) March 22, 2021
8. Where’s the lie?
I can’t tell if this is genius or dangerous.
Stop lying. Even white lies. Stop all of them. I discovered it’s the foundation of self esteem.
— ZeldaFtz (@ZeldaFtz) March 22, 2021
7. No obligation
Measure it out.
You are never obligated to do anything, it is just a decision you are choosing to make based on the pros and cons. Example: Mom wants me to have dinner with Racist Grandma. I hate Racist Grandma, but Mom will be angry if I don’t go and will yell. Which is worse? My decision.
— dominus (@kdominus) March 22, 2021
6. Marriage advice
Seems legit.
Three keys to a good marriage:
1. What’s said is said. Once you say it you can’t take it back.
2. Two wrongs don’t make a right.Most importantly
3. Always give your partner credit for trying to the right thing, even when it’s clear later they were doing the wrong thing.— Sarah Smiling (@Ssrennoc) March 22, 2021
5. Lie of omission
It speaks volumes.
Saying nothing instead of saying the truth is just another way to lie
— Bric House (@bric_house) March 22, 2021
4. The simple truth
Be ready for more.
There is no such thing as a simple answer to a complex problem. Think problems through. Will you solve the problem or create a larger one?
— C. Flint (@Dad56138956) March 22, 2021
3. I can dig it
You’ll hurt yourself too.
“When you set out for revenge, dig two graves.” Meaning broadly to me that doing anything with negative energy will bury you in the process
— BuddyBear (@un0r1g1nal1) April 1, 2021
2. I assume
Double check, maybe.
Don’t make assumptions.
You would be surprised how many assumptions we make. All day long.
“Bellieve none of what you hear and only half of what you see.” (I Heard It Through the Grapevine)— Dᴏɴʟᴀɴ ᴍᴄᴋᴇᴇ (@DonlanMcKee) March 21, 2021
1. Baby problems
I don’t know how new parents make it.
If the newborn won’t stop crying and you are completely overwhelmed, put them in a baby chair or something else safe on the bathroom floor and take a shower. Either the running water will calm them or the shower will calm you. Either way, you both will be better for it.
— Heather M. Jones (@hmjoneswriter) March 21, 2021
Those all seem pretty good to me!
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever gotten?
Tell us in the comments.