With a title like that, what else can it be but another Let’s Blog Off? This week question or topic is “The truth of the matter is that none of us gets to where we are alone. We are the products of everywhere we have ever been and everyone we have ever known. So with that established, the Blog Off this week wants to ask, what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?” As per our custom, we will be listing all those participating at the end of this article, and I highly encourage you to check out some extraordinary wordsmiths and their thoughts.
When I first saw this question, I was stuck trying to figure out what was the one piece of advice that could ever rank that high? In my lifetime, it seems that I have been inordinately blessed by more people showing me how not to do things, than actually handing out great advice. That is not to say I have not met some great people with some sound timely advice, but trying to think of that one piece that rose above the others just wasn’t happening. So could one possibly say that the best advice I received, wasn’t really advice but instead lessons I learned from others like; there is no easy way to get rich quick (except for the publishers of those guides), construction work is cyclical (so you had better be prepared), if something is to good to be true (it probably is), etc…?
I guess this helps explain why some of my favorite sayings / quotes are along the lines of; “those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” or the “essence of stupidity is doing the same exact thing and expecting a different result”. As for the title of this article, well that happens to be a simple question one of my old bosses asked me just as another downturn hit the market “Are you going to use your head for more than a hat rack?” With that simple question and nudge, the rest as they say is history…
Sean, it’s interesting to me that you consider that one of the best bits of advice you ever received, because thinking for one’s self is one of the dominant undercurrents in all your writings, and one of the things I admire most about your articles. I’ve seen it come out in all your best articles, especially the Sunday safety series (e.g., personal responsibility) and many of your RRP assessments. Sure, a former boss might’ve told you that a long time ago, but frankly, I believe it’s more a fundamental part of your way of approaching things– much more than just advice that some one imparted to you at one time.
Good stuff and sayings that I have used with my children and business associates in the past and will in the future.
Brenda Lynn
Good stuff and sayings that I have used with my children and business associates in the past and will in the future.
Brenda Lynn
I’m going to start using that quote with my kids!
I’m going to start using that quote with my kids!
Good stuff and sayings that I have used with my children and business associates in the past and will in the future.
Brenda Lynn
Nothing about “Hair of the dog” or “If you want a loyal friend, get a dog” or “Lie down with dogs, rise up with fleas” … wait a minute, scratch that last one. I suspect it was slipped in there by the drunk cat who had a little too much hair of the dog 🙂
Nothing about “Hair of the dog” or “If you want a loyal friend, get a dog” or “Lie down with dogs, rise up with fleas” … wait a minute, scratch that last one. I suspect it was slipped in there by the drunk cat who had a little too much hair of the dog 🙂
I’m going to start using that quote with my kids!
My favorite: “essence of stupidity is doing the same exact thing and expecting a different result” -and it seems to me to be the hardest one to eradicate from behavior! Thanks for the reminder. I’m going to tape it on my computer screen!
I like that saying. Often we can be easily trapped by fear or not thinking from another perspective, thus becoming the hatrack.
Great point.
Nothing about “Hair of the dog” or “If you want a loyal friend, get a dog” or “Lie down with dogs, rise up with fleas” … wait a minute, scratch that last one. I suspect it was slipped in there by the drunk cat who had a little too much hair of the dog 🙂
LOL – thanks for all the comments everyone
Rufus, ahh my favorite dog (well next to Jasper & Ziva) — “cool your jets” my friend, you had your chance on yours & as an FYI – you might want to keep better track of that cat…
John, again thanks for the kind words & for nailing my approach to my articles & other items. Was it the best advice? I agree with you it isn’t, but that one phrase / comment I think resonates with the points you made and what I was trying to write.
James, I really would love to know how long it takes your kids to figure that one out – I have one here that would fire back – but I am not wearing a hat…
Brenda, Saxon, Riggins – thanks again for the great comments, RT’s, and posts today
first off — I might have been better served if I read paul’s instructions. . . you know that “product” thing, but yep . . . “it just wasn’t happening” and instead calmly saying like “In my lifetime, it seems that I have been inordinately blessed by more people showing me how not to do things, than actually handing out great advice.” brilliant . . . I just had to be smart ass (wait… I think). Anyway loved it Sean — and here’s some advice — keeping posting. It’s good.
LOL, thanks JB, but who’s this Paul & product you mention?
Thanks for the advice and I hope you also continue writing as well and pursuing your dreams
well heck — I guess I was just projecting. I thought maybe Mr. Anater wrote this in the preface for this blogoff –“We are the products of everywhere we have ever been and everyone we have ever known.”… considering both your post and Rich H’s started with it. Either way — takes nothing away from yours and it was simply a great way to lead in. happy Friday!
That part (which I placed in quotes & attributed it this weeks letsblogoff) was written by Paul (or someone in the high command)
I generally like to pull a portion in to help frame the article, and then of course encourage everyone to check out the others that contribute.
Now with that said, just like Cupboards did this week, I will on occurrence simply choose to ignore the direction they want us to go & just use the question as a spring board to go in a completely direction
LOL, thanks JB, but who’s this Paul & product you mention?
Thanks for the advice and I hope you also continue writing as well and pursuing your dreams
first off — I might have been better served if I read paul’s instructions. . . you know that “product” thing, but yep . . . “it just wasn’t happening” and instead OF calmly saying SOMETHING like “In my lifetime, it seems that I have been inordinately blessed by more people showing me how not to do things, than actually handing out great advice.” brilliant . . . I just had to be smart ass (wait… I think). Anyway loved it Sean — and here’s some advice — keeping posting. It’s good.
ha! first off — I might have been better served if I read paul’s instructions. . . you know that “product” thing, but yep . . . “it just wasn’t happening” and instead OF calmly saying SOMETHING like “In my lifetime, it seems that I have been inordinately blessed by more people showing me how not to do things, than actually handing out great advice.” brilliant . . . I just had to be smart ass (wait… I think). Anyway loved it Sean — and here’s some advice — KEEP posting. It’s good. <<< *bowing head in shame*
I like that saying. Often we can be easily trapped by fear or not thinking from another perspective, thus becoming the hatrack.
Great point.
My favorite: “essence of stupidity is doing the same exact thing and expecting a different result” -and it seems to me to be the hardest one to eradicate from behavior! Thanks for the reminder. I’m going to tape it on my computer screen!
Sean, it’s interesting to me that you consider that one of the best bits of advice you ever received, because thinking for one’s self is one of the dominant undercurrents in all your writings, and one of the things I admire most about your articles. I’ve seen it come out in all your best articles, especially the Sunday safety series (e.g., personal responsibility) and many of your RRP assessments. Sure, a former boss might’ve told you that a long time ago, but frankly, I believe it’s more a fundamental part of your way of approaching things– much more than just advice that some one imparted to you at one time.
LOL – thanks for all the comments everyone
Rufus, ahh my favorite dog (well next to Jasper & Ziva) — “cool your jets” my friend, you had your chance on yours & as an FYI – you might want to keep better track of that cat…
John, again thanks for the kind words & for nailing my approach to my articles & other items. Was it the best advice? I agree with you it isn’t, but that one phrase / comment I think resonates with the points you made and what I was trying to write.
James, I really would love to know how long it takes your kids to figure that one out – I have one here that would fire back – but I am not wearing a hat…
Brenda, Saxon, Riggins – thanks again for the great comments, RT’s, and posts today
first off — I might have been better served if I read paul’s instructions. . . you know that “product” thing, but yep . . . “it just wasn’t happening” and instead calmly saying like “In my lifetime, it seems that I have been inordinately blessed by more people showing me how not to do things, than actually handing out great advice.” brilliant . . . I just had to be smart ass (wait… I think). Anyway loved it Sean — and here’s some advice — keeping posting. It’s good.
LOL, thanks JB, but who’s this Paul & product you mention?
Thanks for the advice and I hope you also continue writing as well and pursuing your dreams
LOL, thanks JB, but who’s this Paul & product you mention?
Thanks for the advice and I hope you also continue writing as well and pursuing your dreams
well heck — I guess I was just projecting. I thought maybe Mr. Anater wrote this in the preface for this blogoff –“We are the products of everywhere we have ever been and everyone we have ever known.”… considering both your post and Rich H’s started with it. Either way — takes nothing away from yours and it was simply a great way to lead in. happy Friday!
That part (which I placed in quotes & attributed it this weeks letsblogoff) was written by Paul (or someone in the high command)
I generally like to pull a portion in to help frame the article, and then of course encourage everyone to check out the others that contribute.
Now with that said, just like Cupboards did this week, I will on occurrence simply choose to ignore the direction they want us to go & just use the question as a spring board to go in a completely direction
That part (which I placed in quotes & attributed it this weeks letsblogoff) was written by Paul (or someone in the high command)
I generally like to pull a portion in to help frame the article, and then of course encourage everyone to check out the others that contribute.
Now with that said, just like Cupboards did this week, I will on occurrence simply choose to ignore the direction they want us to go & just use the question as a spring board to go in a completely direction