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Giving good advice

It’s always interesting being the one who feels compelled to give advice and help others as well as being the one others come to when they need some words of wisdom. However, for those of us without a terribly inflated ego, giving advice can seem daunting and you might worry about whether your advice is practical or even any good.

So, if you’re one of the go-tos in the friendship group, work circle or just in general, you’ve stumbled upon the right article.

Perhaps the only bit of advice I can give about giving advice is to make sure it’s from the heart. Don’t just say what the person wants or needs to hear – tell the truth and then advise them on how you would best deal with the situation. Putting yourself in their shoes makes the job a whole lot easier as you get perspective and show the person that you care.

For those who may be at a loss for words in times of tragedy or great despair: it’s fine. You just need to tell the person how difficult it is to help figure out a strategy to move forward but then look deep into both you and them and find words of encouragement rather than creating a plan. Sometimes people ask for advice when what they really need is to know that someone is there for them.

To the advice-givers out there, well done and keep it up. Make sure that you also have someone to be there for you when you need it too, though. Some things in life aren’t all about giving.

See you next week.