Best Advice You Ever Received (Or Have to Give)
 

Ladies,

What is the best advice that you ever got (as you went out into the world after high school/college or have to give to young ladies trying to make their way in the world? I am a new college graduate (May 2006) and I have learned so much in this past year. Some of it I think is stuff that you can only truly learn through experience, but there are also some things that I think can and should be passed on. My little cousin will be transferring to my alma mater next year (BTW I'm SO excited for her!) and I try to share as much useful information with her as possible because I wish someone would have shared it with me, and when she graduates I'll continue to do the same thing. SO, I'm thisclose to starting to ramble so I'll just open it up for discussion. I hope to "hear" a lot of good responses.

Peace.

It's a cliche but
"you can do anything that you put your mind to."

I heard this every time that I talked to my father about wanting to do anything in life...from being president to just anything or having anything - the entire time that I was growing up it was "Dear, you can do anything that you put your mind to" after he listened to whatever my goal was that I was telling him about.

It has helped me b/c after someone tells you that and basically encourages you from the time that you are a child until you are an adult, you begin to believe it.

So that's the advice that I got, that I will pass on to my kids one day in the same way that I was passed this information, and, although it's cliche, I would pass it on to the young women. It really is the very essence of believing in one's self and perservering through (inevitable) life obstacles, keeping it moving and making it happen...even when someone else may not believe in your dream, whatever that dream may be.

SC

The best advice I've ever received is the advice I got from my Beloved, late mother. I used to have her advice as my signature, but I have since changed it. I also give this same advice to my sons. Mama always told me, "Nothing beats a failure but a try." I live by that. I was very sick during my senior year in high school, and was told I wouldn't be able to attend college. I was convinced that I would never get a chance to go to college, and my mother gave me that advice.

Whatever you choose to do in life, whatever goals you want to achieve--before you say that you can't do it, remember that you'll never know if you can do it or not unless you try, hence, nothing beats a failure but a try.....

The best advice that I have ever recieved was from my mother. I was having a very hard time.....I was getting overwhelmed with everything that was happening with school. I was pushing myself very hard but I felt like I was having the worst of luck. This is what she said......

"When the good Lord is for you there is nothing that the devil can do against you!" -My Mommy

The person in the mirror is the one the LOVES you the most......

My mother has been a wonderful source of good advice:

1. Keep your eye and ears open and your mouth shut.
2. Get good grades, go to college, and get a good job. I would add create a business for yourself and your family.

My closest friend expressed the following sayings which has benefitted me.

1. Look for the silver lining in everything.
2. When the student is ready, the teachers are there.

Just my .08 cents.

I hope that you don't mind me adding my $.06

When you seem lost in life and don't know what direction to go, choose one goal and let nothing stand in your way of success. As an undergrad I was lost at one point and even sat out for a semester. I was a drunk and drug user. However, I made up my mind that I was going to complete my degree. As my actions became successes I realized my potential and have never looked back.

corny i know, but "follow your heart" works for so many situations. from jobs, to lovers, to other major decisions, it works. but always be sure to add just a pinch of "trust your gut instinct"!

I gave this exact advice at a conference I spoke to last week. So yeah, two votes for that.

As well as: PRAYER. Everytime something, shoot, ANYTHING, was even slightly wrong - my mother would say, "Well have you talked to your father? Your Heavenly Father?" After I have a little talk with him, and let him deal with it...It's all good. Pray during the good. And most definitely during the bad.

"Be nice to everyone."

Sounds so simple, but you wouldn't believe (especially in the workplace) how some people act because of someone's title or position. Regardless as to where you work, be sure to be nice to everyone - from the janitor to the CEO. No one in unimportant.

In my company, the first person to know who got fired (and why) is the receptionist (because she is the one that activates/deactivates your badge). If there is an opening in a department, its their admin assistant that will determine where or not your name/resume comes across her VP's desk or whether or not you will get an appointment to meet with him or her. Things like this play out everyday.

So when you get your first job, just remember that everyone is an important piece of that company - not just those with a manager or director title.

Lot of good advice! I like the one about being nice to everyone.

The other day my grandmother told me to not let anyone make me feel like I am less than they are because of my position within my company. I follow this advice just about every day, so it has served me well.

listen to Honeykiss! this is 1000% true!

i am an admissions coordinator at a college which entails being admin assistant/mini-hr coordinator/mailroom attendant/unofficial spy. every call that comes into this building comes thru me. my office is 2 feet from the directors. I. KNOW. EVERYTHING!!!! (and pretend to know nothing!) who is suspended and why, who is here for an interview (and dont get nasty because when you leave i will give a full report on how you treated me!), who was fired, everything...plenty of people have not gotten jobs because of their rudeness towards me. and a select few people who treat me like the front office goddess that i am, get the classes they want, the parking they want, and even the scholarships they want. i dont just answer the phone buddy, i run this department!

which just reinforces the above... BE NICE TO EVERYONE!!!

Hands down "Give it to God"

Followed closely by you set the example for your children.

Lol @ "Unofficial office spy", but that is SO true.

I concur with "be nice to the (seemingly) little people". You never know who they report to or where they will get promoted to.

Remember your manners. I work in Social Services and I like my job, but some of my clients are just NASTY for no reason. I can bend over backwards to help you out, but if you insist on being nasty, then I insist on going by the book.

Say your prayers every night.

Read your Bible/Koran/Torah/holy book everyday.

CALL YOUR MOTHER!!!

Take time to smell the roses.

If you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, be sure you can live with the decision you make.

If someone offers you gum, take it.

Don't ask for advice unless you REALLY want to hear it.

2005 - "You should really try to go to grad school"

Know what you're worth.

Three little words from my dad ... life goes on.

Things will get bad, and sometimes they'll get really bad. But no matter what, we can't eat, sleep, drink or smoke those problems away.

Don't have sex if you aren't ready to be a parent.

Expand your horizons; get to know others who are different from you.

This is exactly what I was coming to post!

LMAO!!

and if someone asks if you are "doing something different with your hair?" check a mirror lol

I like this thread!
 

Don't ever loan anything you can't afford to do without.

For the job: Document everything and keep a paper trail. Basically, C.Y.A.;)

from my Dad:

people are born to die

as strong a current as electricity, it follows the path of least resistance

from my Mom:

what goes around, comes around

I can do bad all by myself

Never Give Up.....Don't Ever Give Up!!!

This was from Coach Jimmy Valvano......

From my parents: You can do it as long as you put your mind to it

And from Mr. Tom Petty:
"You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..."

From MOM: Be true to self. Life is about "choices"

another one i learned that came to mind...and this goes for parents, children, co workers, significant others...

if someone knows enough to ask, dont lie about it. they probably already know...

I tell this to folks all of the time.
It is what it is.

Keep it moving...:cool:

I say this to people who are determined to argue with me.

My advice is to not get so caught up in your own life that you don't have time to hear about the lives of those who you care about. I say that because often times we (and I have been guilty of this recently!) get caught in our own situations that we don't have time to hear what our mothers, sisters, nephews, brothers etc have going on. Listen now because you may not have that opportunity later.

My mom always told me "Shoulda, coulda wouldas don't count in this world."

There are so many!!
 

I am so blessed to have been raised with a common-sense, head-on-her-shoulders, strength-filled Black mother. I was her and my dad's first born and they found out that I had hearing loss. They were determined to raise me as a strong, confident woman. Add to that the wonderful women who have been my "aunties" and have held me up, I have SO MANY good words. Here's one for starters:

Dad:
I was talking to him about whether or not I should think about going to some really big, prestigious schools in order to further my education. He said "I have seen people come out of no-name schools that are brilliant, and Ivy League graduates that shame their schools. It is about YOU. Do NOT be intimidated by these people or their names, it means nothing. Just become the BEST at what you do and you will be fine." Coming from someone who is an acclaimed professor/researcher at a prestigious school, it was really saying something to me. Over the years in grad school, this has helped me so much.

more to come later...

So true. Life is what you make of it, it's not all about what school you come from. Think of how many college students there are out there, bottom line is if you give it your best then that's all that matters. :]

"Never make someone your priority when you are only their option"...I still struggle with this. But I'm trying.