I try and look on advice this way; why experience the pain or frustration of doing something wrong, when someone can “ADVISE” me as to the best, quickest, and easiest way to do it. I am all for taking advantage of those who have done it before and I am happy to “go to school” on what they have learned. Following good advice is a great way to shorten your learning curve. It should also be noted: the best advice usually comes from those who have been through the most.

Thomas Jefferson said, “Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were the world looking at you, and act accordingly." Even though that was said over 200 years ago, it is still great advice for today. We should all behave as if there is a camera on us at all times, and act accordingly… because in today’s technological world, there just might be one pointed at us.

I would like you to take a moment and think of the best piece of advice you have ever read, heard or personally received. I’m serious; stop and really force yourself to pick “THE BEST” piece of advice that has ever come your way and then, WRITE IT DOWN. Here are a few that might come to mind:

Never leave until tomorrow what you can do today.
Don't ever do anything you will regret to remember.
If you're going to do it, do it well.
Treat others the way you would want to be treated.
Seek first to understand before trying to be understood.
Think before you speak.
Dreams don’t work unless you do.
Life is an echo – what you send out comes back.
Don’t make a permanent decision on a temporary emotion.
Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.

Those are 10 good ones … but are they the best ones? Why not give it some thought and write down YOUR TOP 10, and then read them every day. Make them a habit. You are the one who picked them, so they must be important to follow.

My next question is this: “What is it that causes us to stray away from good advice?” Think of the irony of the statement by the author Gordon Dickson who said: “Some people like my advice so much that they frame it upon the wall, instead of using it.”

Don’t forget: Great Advice Has No Value - Unless Followed!