The best (and worst) advice you ever got

“If you’re ever angry or frustrated by a situation you have two basic choices - either change the situation (if possible) or change the way you think about it.”

It’s a reminder that sometimes you’re in a situation because you put yourself into it, and you have the power to change it. On the other hand, it’s a reminder that you could be in the middle of something of which you really have no direct control and the only variable is how you think about it. Either one leads to a somewhat satisfying state of mind because you’re either taking action or reevaluating the circumstance.

From my Mom-Learn how to cook completely from scratch and your family will never go hungry.

When i Just started in Business i was struggling with difficult (less then intelligent) customers when my boss and mentor sat me down and told me ” next time you have to deal with a stupid person THANK them…. it is because of the stupid people you look smart!”

Don’t be an idiot. Best advice Michael ever gave me. Whenever I’m about to do something I think, “whould and idiot do that?” And if they would, I do not do that thing.

Don’t hurt nobody who don’t need hurtin’

When I was just starting my career I was considering purchasing a home. An acquitance, who had recently bought a home larger than his budget told me one should buy the most expensive home one can barely afford. He continued, indicating that when your income rises and the equity in the home increases you should then purchase another home which you can barely afford. Thus you keep trading up and up to live in a more luxurious homes. Thankfully I never took his advice. I have lived over 30 years in my 1500 square foot home. It is paid for and I have retired debt free. Every year I take at least one vacation cruise.

DON’T LET CLASSES GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR EDUCATION The best advice given to me before going to college.

Work before you play … Don’t lie, cheat or steal … Think, Plan and Execute!

Never want the deal more than your clients and listen very carefully to what they say and what they mean to say.

From my dad…”Don’t ever start a fight,but if your in one you better damn well be sure to be the one to finish it”. It sure works well in my business life!

Watch what you do and say to others. It will ALWAYS come around and bite you in the butt. What goes around really does come around!

I will never forget what my middle school lacrosse coach told us once. At the end of the season he looked at us all and said, “No matter where you go in life, no matter who you are adressing, look them directly in the eye. It shows you have the upmost respect for yourself, and for them. It will change your life.”

I was an unhappy youthful engineering salesman working for a failing technology company. I wanted to go into business for myself and selected a fast food franchise as my business choice.

A recent acquaintance, my attorney, encouraged me to go into business, but to do something about which I was knowledgeable rather than a franchise in an industry about which I knew nothing. He compared many franchises to icebergs where all that is visible glitters while many serious problem issues are invisible below the surface.

My eventual choice evolved into a technical sales distribution organization that permitted me to retire comfortably at age 52.

From Todd Duncan, “Do what you do best, and delegate the rest.”

And also, “Work smarter, not harder.”

“Don’t bother doing anything unless you do it well.” or, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” It helps me focus.

In order to succeed, you have to be willing to fail.

The best *career* advice I got was from my ex-boss at PwC, India. He said to me once “If you cannot live with it, just get out of it. Never complain” and I have stuck to this notion since then.

Got this from one of my best friends: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always ‘No’”.

It’s amazing how many opportunites slip by because you were embarrased, ashamed, or just too frightened to ask. Whenever I get in a situation that’s outside my comfort zone, I always remind myself of that advice - and it always gets me to ask!

The best advice I ever got was from a friend who died well before his time. He said, “If you want to be a beacon, you have to let your light shine.” Since I decided to follow that advice, I have not been lonely or depressed.

Best advice was from my father. When I was a child he told me to think twice before you talk.

Question Everything and live the way you think it ought to be. Learn to like people and want to uplift them for what you give, you most often receive back. Above all, perseverance makes failure impossible because sooner or later you will win.

The best advice I ever got was from Craig Barrett, who at the time, was senior vice-president of Intel. In an open forum he said, “Don’t get comfortable.” At the time, other very successful high-tech companies were having money problems but Intel was still going strong. He said people at those other companies had become comfortable and as a result their products were no longer competitive. So whenever I get comfortable with something I’m doing, I always remember those words, “Don’t get comfortable”

My father told me as a boy, remember that you are not better than no one but nobody is better than you. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated…

The best advice I ever got was from my Commanding Officer Maj. Destafney in the Marine Corps right before we were sent to Iraq. He said, “There are a lot of great people doing good things in the world, but there aren’t that many good people doing GREAT things, always strive to do great things in everything you do.” I’ve tried to follow that in everything I do.

Put that away!

The best advice that I ever got came from Bernie Kessler, my first boss. He taught me that people, like the merchandise he sold, have value and have something to offer. People shopped at his store because he treated them courteously and respectfully, and always did the little things that seemed to make a difference. Things like free layaways and free alterations, especially at Christmas and Back-to-School seasons, were just huge. Looking back, these “services” were the value that he gave to his customers I have always found that I have a fondness for people and businesses that do that little extra for their customers and their employees. Going that extra step really makes a difference, not only in business, but in everything we do.

The best advice I ever got was from my much older brother who told me, “…don’t wish that it was easier, wish that you were better.” Instead of complaining about how hard something is, I worry more about improving my skills to exceed the difficulty.

Be an active listener

(and ask questions so that you properly understand)

Don’t Worry - Be Happy.

What is the difference between an old
person who is loved and an old person
who is a burden?

Money

max out that 401k

My parents told me, when I was still in high school, Don’t take a job for the paycheck. Do what you love and do it well. The money will follow. I’ve gone against this advice and had been miserable. As soon as I started following it, I felt so much more inspired. And the money did follow.

My parents also said, in choosing your partner, don’t look for someone who’s perfect, because you’re not either. Look for someone whose strenghts and faults complements yours. They were talking about marriage, but I think it fits with everything else you commit to.

stay informed on all kinds of subject,watch the news from different angles

Work like it depends on you, and pray like it depends on God…

The best advice I ever receive was from my grandfather. A large, quiet man who said few words, but he said, “Get your damn degree.”. The worst advice I ever received was from a law school professor who stated to me during a discussion, “don’t let the facts cloud your theory.” He is still a professor at Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis.

Dont do drugs and stay in school… also learn to do your own taxes!

The best advice I ever got comes from my grandfather: you win in life based on the friends you got!