RSS feed
Advice
When Paddy asked to give him some advice (anything goes) I had to think for a moment.
I could advice him how to gain 45 pounds in 1 year time, how to piss of your girlfriend, how to get speeding tickets, how to get in jail, how to cook quite nicely .. because I master all of these skills, but It’s quite boring and evil right?
I couldn’t advice him how to improve drinking because he’s Irish .. too bad, that would be interesting.
I can advice him which Belgian beers rule (exclude all non Belgian beers, they can’t compete) but I already did that. In fact that’s the only subject we ever talk about.
Then there’s of course the open doors. Always be yourself. Live every day as if it’s your last. Treat people the way you want to be treated. It’s all true. Only, hardly anybody lives by it. In fact that’s quite sad, it would make a difference for sure.
Wear sunscreen is a good place to start as well.
But here’s some real advice. Hope somebody finds it valuable.
1. It seems it was Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers who first said “A funny thing about regret is that it’s better to regret something you have done than something you haven’t.”. Of course some of us know it from the Orbital song Satan as well, which is really a great song imho. I fancy this advice, I think it’s so true! Too bad I’m too much of a coward to live by it, but I try!!
2. This advice has kind of something to do with the previous advice, but it’s actually mine. “Go beyond your authority”. I know for some this sounds absurd, but I believe this is the way to make progress in live, business, .. Bottom line should be good intentions of course. What it actually means is that if you spot something, you know you can solve or improve, you should just do it. Nobody is ever going to blame you for solving problems or improving things, and if they do you know you have to run! I know this advice can be abused, so don’t. You know when you do!
3. Be pragmatic. I know there’s a good way for everything, but there is a straight line between A and B. Sometimes it pays to take the detour, but you need to know (or find out) when to go straight. I think a lot of time and energy is wasted by following procedures or methods that doesn’t makes sense. Try to avoid that!
4. Try not to compromise on things that matter. Life is a compromise, I know that, but sometimes you have to stand up and be satisfied with only the best.
5. Be pro active. I think it follows 2 and 3, but is slightly different. Being pro active means your doing things nobody told you to do. It means be critical and do something with the things you discovered being like that.
6. Be critical. See 5.
7. Read as much as you can. Explore. You should always try to learn new stuff. If you stop learning, move on.
8. Drink. But not always. Drink enough to make your live better, but not that much to make it worse.
9. Don’t be like me. I’m a guy with a million ideas but it’s rare if I get them to practice. You need to be effective. If I could improve myself a little I would be more effective. Also, I’m someone who won’t be satisfied for a long time. I’m a searcher, can’t settle with a situation. I envy the people who can but I know it’s my drive and I’m not sure if I would trade it for happiness.
10. Use twitter. It’s just great!
11. Don’t waste your time on ego management. It can only be held against you and basically would make you a dick and nobody loves you. In stead spend your time trying to do great stuff, help people, walk the extra mile, .. if you do this consistent you don’t need ego management. Other people’s opinion is the best PR.
So that’s it for me. Any bloggers who have any (any!) advice as well: have your shot. Would be great to submit it to Paddy as well. Not sure what he’s going to do with it but it will be great! (psst, don’t tell anyone, but he’s effective .. )
