I’ve noticed a resistance in people to listen to advice, especially advice relating to new and innovative ways to solve the problems they’re having.
While it’s always good to weigh the pros and cons of every decision, it seems like often times people get caught up before they even start to weigh. They get advice and then they pre-convince themselves that it won’t work before they ever even weigh the cost of giving it a chance.
I’ve seen this with a lot of things, but one example of this is Praxis, the business apprenticeship program that I’m in. The results are clear; Praxis works. In one year you can be in a job that you would struggle to get even after four years of school. I’m living proof of this working. In the last two weeks I’ve had 10 interviews with companies who are potentially interested in hiring me. The only reason I was even in the position to talk to these companies was because of what I’ve done through Praxis.
When my friends tell me that college is annoying because they don’t feel like they’re learning anything, or that they don’t enjoy it, or that it costs a lot of money, that they’re just doing it so they have the piece of paper to hopefully get them a job, I explain to them how unnecessary it is and that there are so many better ways to get into a job they want. They listen to me like they really agree, but then they keep on doing the same thing.
It’s almost this “Yeah, that’s awesome man. People should totally do that. I don’t know why they’re doing college. But, you know, obviously it makes sense for me to just finish out college and stuff, right?”
No! It doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not saying that Praxis is for everyone, because it’s not. I’m just saying that if you’re going to continue complaining about how you have to be in college and how it’s destroying your desire to do what you want to do, it’s your own fault for not looking into other opportunities. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve given the advice that maybe college wasn’t the best fit for someone, yet they do it because they feel like they “have to.” What am I? As I said, I’m living, breathing proof that there are alternatives out there that work, yet you’re saying this is the only way.
That was a long tangent, but necessary for my mind. I will never understand why people continue to do something that they verbally express is hurting them when there are other options that are available.
Back to the subject of advice.
I tend to be a fairly skeptical person. In certain situations at least. I tend to overtrust people because I can read them fairly well and can tell when they have ill intent. But in many “advice giving” kind of situations, I tend to be the guy who will pick apart everything the person said because I disagree with his points.
On the flip side of this, this also means that if I find merit in advice that someone is giving, I’ll really go to town on that advice and test it out. I live out the motto “you get out of what you put in.”
I’ve been in the interview process for the last two-three weeks or so, and something I’ve challenged myself to do is follow every piece of advice I’ve been given by my advisors. Even if I have little disagreements, I follow it to the T. I do this for a couple of reasons
First, because if I give 100% to it, then I’ll know if it doesn’t work it’s faulty advice. If I only half did it, it would be harder to know whether it was the advice that was a failure or my effort in applying it.
The second reason is what’s the worst that could happen? In these interview settings, it’s not like it’s a matter of life and death, it’s kind of an experiment zone anyway.
The third reason is because sometimes it works. Imagine that. Taking advice from people who are much higher up in a certain area of knowledge can actually give good advice? Whaaaa?
Because of following all of that advice, I’ve had a ton of companies interested in me the last two weeks. I have no doubt that if I had done it my own way without following their advice I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now.
In fact, when I think about this subject of advice. Following advice is the same reason why I’m blogging right now. It’s the same reason this is my 134th day of blogging in a row. I took some advice and ran with it. It’s increased my creativity and productivity in so many ways.
I wish the world had a few more people who would just take risks every once in a while and take some advice. I challenge you to try it. The next time someone gives you advice or challenges you, do it and do it 110% (that is, if you don’t have any severe disagreements with the advice.)
See what happens. See what’s the worst that could happen. Maybe you’ll find a new love for something.