We all have that one person we consider our life guru. For me, that was my late father. He always had an opinion on everything, and even though I didn’t always take it on board, hindsight showed that he knew what he was talking about. Now, if only I could get him to stop haunting me in my dreams and give me some stock tips! 😂👻
I’ll be sharing 11 pieces of advice from my dad, which I initially thought were stupid but later turned out to be some of the truest realities of life. From learning to embrace failure as part of the growth process to understanding why patience is so important, these are lessons everyone should keep close to their hearts if they want to live a successful and fulfilling life.
Your degree does not guarantee success
Although having a degree is an important step in achieving success, it doesn’t guarantee it. Even with a degree, one must work hard to achieve their dreams and goals.
My late dad once told me this, but I thought it was silly then. Looking back on his words, I understand how true they were: education can help you get ahead in life, but real success requires dedication and hard work.
Instant gratification will hinder your progress
Good things come to those who hustle! Remember, instant gratification might be tempting, but it rarely leads to lasting success. Keep hustling until you achieve those goals! 💪
Short-term gains can be great, but they won’t get you far in the long run, so listen to your parents and take their advice to heart!
Financial responsibility is key
My late dad used to tell me that financial responsibility is key, and I never really understood why. But as I grew older, I realized the importance of this advice. Being financially responsible means setting up a budget and living within it, planning for retirement early on, avoiding debt, and investing in the right places.
Understanding how money works is essential to make wise decisions with your finances now and in the future. By being fiscally responsible, you essentially take charge of your life and give yourself peace of mind.
Networking is vital
My late dad often told me to stay connected with people, be they family, friends, or even acquaintances, and build relationships that would be beneficial in the long run.
At the time, I thought he was being overly cautious, but now I realize it was one of his wisest pieces of advice, as networking can open up new doors and opportunities that may not have been otherwise available to us.
The world owes you nothing
One of the most important things he told me, which I initially found silly, was that “the world owes you nothing.” However, it wasn’t long before I realized how true this statement really is.
Despite any hardships or challenges we may face, the world will not give us anything unless we put in the hard work and dedication required to achieve our goals. We mustn’t forget that, at the end of the day, success depends solely on our own efforts and initiative.
Failure is part of the journey
Many of us may have heard this phrase from our parents or elders in our lives, but we didn’t take it seriously until we faced our own failures. My late dad had this wisdom, and he told me many things I considered stupid at the time but later turned out to be some of life’s most true realities.
One such thing is that failure is part of the journey and must be embraced rather than feared or pushed away. He explained to me that embracing failure takes courage and determination, as it helps us learn and grow in ways we never imagined before.
It’s the little things that count
Noticing and valuing small actions and moments can have a big effect on our happiness and sense of meaning. Simple acts of gratitude, kindness, or appreciation of everyday beauty can make a difference.
Learn from your mistakes
Making mistakes is a natural occurrence, but it’s crucial to learn from them and move forward. Rather than fixating on failure, embracing mistakes as opportunities to learn can facilitate personal development and advancement.
Comparison is the thief of joy
Comparison is the thief of joy, which my late dad reminded me of on more than one occasion. It can be easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others and their successes or failures. This kind of comparison can quickly steal away your joy by constantly reminding you that you are not where you should be or that someone else has it better than you do.
As my dad would often say, the only thing that matters is your own journey and progress, so don’t let comparison rob you of your happiness.
You have the Power to Create Change
We all have the power to create change in our lives. Every day, we face opportunities that can shape our future and the world around us.
We don’t always recognize these opportunities, but when we do, it is important to take action and use the power of our voice to make a difference.
Don’t Burn Bridges
The best advice one can give is not to burn bridges. My late dad told me this many times, and at first, I thought it was simply a silly expression.
But life has repeatedly proven that it pays to keep all your relationships in good standing, as you never know when you might need something from those same people down the line. When it comes to relationships, be sure to maintain a positive outlook and don’t burn bridges with anyone.
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