How to figure out which advice is worth taking
If you are ambitious in your goals for work and want to continue improving your performance, then you’re going to get a lot of advice from people. If you try to follow all the advice you get, you’ll be a like a dog chasing its tail. There will be a lot of activity, but you’ll get no closer to the success you crave. That doesn’t mean you should ignore all the advice you’re given either. Instead,…
To determine which advice is valuable, it's crucial to discern between helpful guidance and potentially misguided suggestions. People often seek advice from those they perceive as successful, but this doesn't guarantee the advice will be practical for your specific situation. Successful individuals often attribute their achievements to luck, preparation, and creativity, which may not apply to you.
Therefore, seeking out knowledgeable mentors who understand what factors you can control is vital. These mentors are skilled at recognizing your current approach, providing targeted recommendations for improvement, and guiding you towards the right actions. While they may not have achieved the exact success you desire, their ability to teach is invaluable.
Another aspect to consider is the level of care the advisor has for you. Beneficial advice usually comes from individuals who genuinely care about your success, though not excessively. Those who care too little might provide generic suggestions, while those who care too much may micromanage your life. The ideal mentor balances care and detachment, investing enough time to learn about your aspirations and methods without being overly absorbed in your future.
Furthermore, it's essential to recognize that everyone, including advisors, has their own objectives, which can influence the advice they give. You'll often encounter unsolicited advice from people promoting their own interests, particularly via emails or messages. While it's wise to be skeptical of these offers, discerning those whose goals align with yours can prove beneficial.
For instance, a supervisor who shares your ambition may offer useful insights, whereas a supervisor viewing you as a threat might not. Lastly, remember that implementing new advice requires patience and persistence. Changing established habits and seeing results takes time. Once you've chosen to follow someone's advice, commit to the change and monitor its effects. Allow sufficient time to evaluate whether the change is yielding positive outcomes.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
