Good Advice v Opinion

It is amazing how often people have an opinion to share these days.

When I was younger, people would often listen to a discussion on a subject they knew little about and were interested to hear other people’s views.

These days, with the advent of mass media and the digital age, so many think they are informed about things and want to advise you.

Once when I was looking at making an investment decision, I shared the idea with a handful of older co-workers who discouraged me as they had heard from their aunties, sisters, budgies ex owner that it was risky and I should not do it.

Free advice is worth the price you paid. – Tim McGraw

I did not go ahead with it and I live in the knowledge that if I had, I would be significantly wealthy today.

I now know that I should have looked more closely at the situations of those who offered their wisdom. Reflecting later, I realised that those co-workers had not achieved much in their lives and were just static in their progress.

I often wonder whether people who are critical of others ideas are often simply afraid to go the extra step. In their fear, they talk down new ideas if they sense that it might disturb them in their mediocrity.

However, I have found that everyone has a financial story of the ‘one that got away’. These mistakes, if used as learning devices will hopefully assist us to grow in wisdom and wealth later on when opportunities arise.

You will notice that throughout the world there are no monuments to critics. Only monuments of those who did something.

In a survey about the regrets of elderly people in the USA, one regret surfaced continuously. The regrets were mostly, not of what they did do, but of what they did not do in their lives and missed opportunities featured largely.

I do not recommend blind leaps of faith nor waiting till everything is perfect and no faith has to be exercised at all. What I do believe is that with good research and sound, educated, advice we can take steps towards the future. There are never any absolute guarantees in any adventure and if you didn’t have to stretch beyond the safety of your position you would never grow.

Look at those who always played for safety in everything……are they still where they were before? If I am content with who and where I am, I am not going to envy or compare myself or my circumstances to others, nor try to steal anything or anyone from anyone else.

Remember that being different is your biggest asset and you don’t have to be like everyone else.

When you want to explore your options and possibilities, particularly in your career journey, drop me an email or private message.

Dave Brebner.

www.davebrebner.com

 

About the Author:

Dave is an Adult Educator, Speaker and Youth leader living in Western Sydney, Australia where he teaches the Electrical Trades at the Western Sydney Institute. He has Diplomas in Business and Training, a Bachelors Degree in Adult Education, Vocational and Workplace Training and a Masters of Education with a major in Career Development. He has lived with Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders since an early age. He is married with 6 children. He is a passionate coach and mentor to young people especially in the vocational guidance and career development areas. Dave is a professional member of the Career Development Association of Australia and has authored a course on Living with Tourette’s which you can study and purchase online through his website – www.davebrebner.com.

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