Why Listening to Other People’s Advice Can Hurt Your Future
A lesson from Will Smith.
For most of our life decisions, we pause and ask for advice. When deciding what to take in college, we seek the guidance of career counselors. When starting a business, we may seek the help of business advisors.
As I reflect on this topic, I realize that the advice of others heavily influenced a lot of the decisions that led to where I am now. My mother is one of those influencers. My choice on what Degree to finish, where to live, and what car to purchase, were all influenced by her opinions.
I did not understand the power of receiving advice until I stumbled upon Will Smith’s memoir, ‘Will.’ He gave me a new perspective on the idea of advice that allowed me to finally take the power of my decisions back from others.
He explains the truth on what advice really is:
“Advice at its best is one person’s limited perspective of the infinite possibilities before you. People’s advice is based on their fears, their experiences, their prejudices, and at the end of the day, their advice is just that: it’s theirs, not yours.”
As Oprah calls it, ‘I just had an aha moment.’
