Advice, Experience, and the Like

Typically, I won’t start my lists with any type of quote, unless it makes a point I’m attempting to convey. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future” is written in Proverbs chapter 19, verse 20. Written by King Solomon, arguably the wisest man to ever live, these words ideally convey the situation I’m currently facing.

I’ve got a circle of advisors. I’m working to augment my circle as where I’m going is beyond my current advisors. I tend to listen more than I speak while in the presence of my advisors. My biggest obstacle is asking insightful questions. I may not say it while present, but I’m aware my job is to extract their wisdom in digestible morsels. Some of their responses require follow up questions and elaborate explanations. Some of their responses are beyond my comprehension so I ask better questions.

I’m facing the same with a client, but to the contrary. He listens but doesn’t accept instructions. It’s frustrating as I want to impart my wisdom. I’m willing to walk away and stop offering my expertise. It’s seemingly a waste of my time and during my call with one of my advisors today, I’ll ask for his insights and directions. I’ll be willing to accept his instructions in this manner because I dare not waste his time, nor neglect his wisdom.

Today, Thursday, October 20, 2022, I am grateful that:

I heard from Rod this morning. It’s a six year anniversary for him and I sent a message offering congratulations. He’d mentioned his attempts to connect but he didn’t have my new contact information.

I’ve got more experienced advisors willing to impart wisdom in ways I can digest. It’s challenging to ask for assistance, but I’m keenly aware of my deficiencies. I haven’t built my circle with people strong in the same areas I am, but rather, my circle is composed of individuals excelling in areas in which I struggle. Financially, professionally, emotionally, spiritually and more categories under those archetypes, these mentors yield results I couldn’t accomplish for decades without their assistance.

I’m getting clarity on those I can ask for assistance and I can not. Some desire to impart how much they know, even when they do not. It’s more pride and ego and not experience. Their words are opinions based, not experiential. So for me, I’ve gotten more adept at asking a simple question which sifts through opinions in manners most others can not.

“How’s that working out for you?” or “What happened when you did that…?” or “How do you know?”

Those are the questions I ask to determine is someone is offering opinions or experience.

Be Great. Be Grateful!!!