The Best Advice I’ve Ever Received

Business

“We have really good instincts, and it’s better when we listen to them. That’s both personal and in work.” – Ashley Olsen

I actually had a really difficult time narrowing down the advice I listen to when it comes to business.  I never had dreams of being an entrepreneur and definitely never saw myself owning my own business.  It’s only because I was (and am) willing to listen to the trailblazers ahead of me that I’ve been as successful as I have been.

Especially with Social Media Marketing being such a new-to-the-world field, I recognize that there aren’t many businesses that are working well in my industry… or at least very few that are doing well ethically.  So I’ve found that it’s incredibly important that I listen to my instincts when it comes to operating my business.  I try to operate/work with clients and business partners that produce results that feel in line with my values, I work to act with humility and kindness, and I try to remember that “no” can be a full sentence when necessary.

Aging

“Too soon old. Too late smart.” – My dad/my grandmother

My grandmother used to say this to my dad all the time, and he regularly shares this advice with me.  It reminds me of two things.

Firstly, it reminds me that, even when I feel like I do… I’ll never know it all.  There will always be constant opportunities to keep learning, keep growing, and keep experiencing life as it unfolds.

But secondly, it reminds me that it’s not my job to know it all either.  It’s my job to open my eyes to the world around me so that I can live a fulfilling life that welcomes constant change and any new challenges that come my way.

Mistakes and learning opportunities come in all shapes and sizes.  It’s up to us to allow ourselves to adapt and continue learning across our lifetimes.

Self Confidence

“She needed a hero, so that’s who she became.” – My mom

There are many reasons that I look up to my mother, but one big reason is because of how well she handles adversity.

Across our lives, we need to be our own heroes.  We need to learn, react, and face adversity head on.  We need to welcome tough conversations, and celebrate our successes.

Face your fears.  Act like the honest, kind, optimistic women you look up to.  Especially in times of fear or hurt, we need to learn to be our own hero.

Relationships

“Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course we wouldn’t fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it’s comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart…” – Carrie in “Sex and the City”

The truth is that every relationship comes into our life for a reason.  Whether for a short time or forever, our family, friends, romantic partners, co-workers – anybody, really – comes into our life to teach us something.

And this little quote from Carrie reminds me that that’s okay.  Those changes are meant to happen and it’s up to us to open our hearts towards acceptance of those seasons of change.

Nobody is happy all the time, nobody can give great advice all the time.  Relationships, at least the best kinds of relationships, are built on give and take.  And each season of life will call for a different version of you.  But we can always keep the best parts of those relationships that mean the most to us in our hearts over the years.

Don’t rid yourself of every memory just because the relationship may not be in the present… because maybe that’s exactly the relationship you needed in your life at that time.

Disappointment

“I think when tragedy occurs, it presents a choice. You can give into the void, the emptiness that fills your heart, your lungs, constricts your ability to think or even breathe. Or you can try to find meaning.” – Sheryl Sandberg

Prior to reading “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,” I actually hardly referenced Sheryl Sandberg.  But her book made me think entirely differently about moving on beyond the falsely created “plan” that I had developed for my life and welcome change as life went awry.

Her show of strength has shown me that disappointment can actually be an ideal turning point towards finding ourselves, building strength, and moving forward with our heads held high.

Sometimes it’s difficult to admit that life isn’t exactly how we want it to be, that something in our lives has disappointed us and it’s actually affecting us and our way of life.  But that disappointment has the ability to be our opportunity to build strength.  Use that moment of disappointment as your chance to bounce forward into a beautiful future.

Celebs Share the Best Advice They’ve Ever Received

If you’re interested in reading the original article I referenced in writing this post, you can check it out by clicking here.   My favorite pieces of advice from the article are as follows.:

Gina Rodriguez

The Jane the Virgin star’s dad told her, “‘Fear only exists from between your two ears.’ It’s so true—whether you’re afraid of confronting someone or going after a new job, the only thing really stopping you is you. So forget the excuses, get off your butt and go do it!”

Lupita Nyong’o

“Go where you are loved.” Oscar winner Nyong’o received that suggestion from the actress and playwright Danai Gurira and says, “it’s a valuable thought that’s really stuck. When you’re trying to find collaborators, you need to go where you are loved—because that’s precisely the place where your dreams and goals will be nurtured. People who see the best in you bring out the best in you.”

Aidy Bryant

The best advice the Saturday Night Live actor received from her mom is, “making sure I say thank you. And I do think that if you enter into things with a thankful point of view, you’ll always remain appreciative.”

John Legend

Early in singer-songwriter Legend’s career, Quincy Jones told him that “the definition of being cool is having the ability to be yourself in all circumstances.” Legend says this is something he’s always remembered. “As an artist, you have to find your voice—and then make music that actually stays true to that voice.”

Kelly Clarkson

Singer-songwriter Clarkson recalls, “Sandra Bullock once said something like ‘Take advice as advice.’ Everyone gives you their two cents, but you have to follow your gut.”

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