Nobody's perfect. Somewhere down the line you are destined to encounter defeat, failure, or hardship in some way, shape, or form. It is during these times of desperation that the human condition is tested. No matter whether these struggles be related to school, work, family, or stress, a person is likely to react in one of two ways. Facing the problem head on, or avoiding it all together. It is in this moment of vulnerability, however, that a third option emerges: asking for help. Throughout the course of my life thus far, I've been faced with questions where my mind has been left at a crossroad. Which college should I attend? Should I choose a major that "makes money" or one that is a passion of mine? Will getting a part-time job affect my class work? It is at times like these that it makes sense to ask for advice from those who have dealt with such questions before. Parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, and other mentors can prove to be a valuable resource as you discover yourself along the path of life. Therefore, without further ado, here's a list of the best advice I've ever received from those who are much wiser and much more experienced than myself. Enjoy.
Don’t worry about the destination. Ultimately, when it’s all said and done, the stories you tell won’t come from the finish line, but the journey. The sad truth is that those who constantly seek a future they cannot foresee will never truly be happy. So instead, why not enjoy the moment? Be spontaneous. Give yourself some time to create a story you can be proud of and good things will come of it.
You never get what you don’t ask for. The wise words of my father. Although I didn’t understand what he meant at the time (I was 13), this bit of advice began to make sense as I entered my college years. What’s the point of having goals and ambitions if you don’t have the courage to pursue them? Simply put, if you want something, what’s the harm in asking for it? After all, the worst answer you could get is no.
“Sometimes you just have to take a sip of whiskey and get over it.” A good follow-up to the advice above. When things don't go your way, what use is it to sit around and mope? Take your misfortune with a grain of salt and move on. Sulking about your problems won't make them go away. Rather, learn from your critics, actively pursue a solution, and keep moving forward.
Be kind, be kind, be kind. Life is far too short to cut people out of it with a bad attitude. Be nice to every person you meet and never deny an opportunity to meet new people. Not only because it’s common courtesy, but because you never know where that person may be in a few years. Every friend you make now, is a connection you have for later. So think twice before burning any bridges. After all, there is no such thing as having too many friends.
Don't talk about it, be about it. One with passion is better than a hundred who are merely interested. Make yourself stand out by being a doer. When you make a commitment, proudly stand behind it and follow through. Don't be "that guy" and make a million promises you don't intend to keep. Approach everything you do with a heightened level of enthusiasm and purpose. What you do now will define how reliable people see you as in the future, and I think you'll find that many doors will be opened as a result.
I'm sure you all have picked up some sort of advice at some point in your life. Whether it is similar to those listed above or not doesn't matter. What matters is that you take it to heart and don't dismiss it as useless information. What may seem useless now could become relevant at some point down the road.
