If you ever need some small talk, ask, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?” to someone. You’ll likely hear a heartfelt or interesting response.
No matter the situation, we’ve learned something or confirmed something, we believe to be true, by listening to the information. We love hearing how advice changes or improves someone’s life.
We like it even better if we are the ones credited with giving the advice. It makes us feel proud.
Advice has a value at work. We celebrate a few words from a mentor. And companies hire consultants to provide advice.
The Funny Thing About Your Advice
Do you give people advice on the things you know best? Does it seem like your words help them? It feels good when your wisdom is appreciated.
Here’s the big question: Do you follow your own advice? This is about the things you know, your area of expertise.
For many, their own advice goes ignored. They second guess it, even when the advice would be passed on to another person without hesitation.
This is an illustration of a common workplace challenge. It sees you so close to a problem that you can’t access your own wisdom and experiences to solve it.
The Best Advice Goes Unheard
Even though you wouldn’t hesitate to share your advice with someone else, when it’s you that’s facing the same problem, you become filled with self-doubt.
You may waste a lot of time trying to find the answer you already know. You have a sneaking suspicion a better answer is out there and you just have to keep looking for it. This is a great way to avoid making a decision.
Trust Your Advice
To break out of this cycle, mentally distance yourself from your problem. Imagine that a valued friend or colleague has approached you with the same challenge.
What would you tell them to do? Now, without hesitation, take that course of action.
I’ve had this happen, when I realize I’m worried about a problem that I discuss solving in my keynote talks. If only I could remember the advice I share with others!
If it’s the best advice for someone else, then it should work for you too. We can be a tremendous resource to ourselves when we stop doubting and start listening.
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