The Secret To Taking Advice

ractical wisdom usually comes with time and experience—but you can accelerate your ability to make sound decisions if you do one thing: take advice.

Taking advice is a true life hack. When you learn from others—what they do, what they say, and just as importantly, what they don’t do or say—you gain years of experience in a fraction of the time. You give yourself a tremendous advantage over people who ignore the guidance available all around them.

And there’s another benefit: teachable people are the ones companies want to hire. When someone consistently applies feedback and learns quickly, they become an asset—an investment that grows more valuable over time.

So ask yourself honestly: Are you that kind of asset right now? Do you take advice?

“I know” Doesn’t Mean A Thing.

When someone gives you advice like, “You need more sleep,” or “You should cut back on junk food,” how do you normally respond?

If you don’t ignore them out of irritation or pride, you might say, “I know.” But what usually happens after that? Do you actually take action? Probably not.

So what stops you? Why is it so easy to acknowledge good advice and so hard to apply it?

Watch the video.

  • Understand that your brain processes enormous amounts of information, input, and feedback every second. To keep up, it quickly acknowledges most of it and then moves on. Only when the brain decides something is truly important—something that requires immediate action, like a child running into the street—does it pause and allow you to focus, assess, and determine how to respond.

  • Saying “I know” signals your brain to simply acknowledge a statement—even if it’s important advice—and then move on. Instead, use phrases like “I will,” “I’m trying,” or “I am,” because these prompt your brain to slow down just enough for you to consciously consider the value of the advice. These phrases imply action, which tells your brain to pause and engage.

    However, if you use these phrases without the genuine intent to improve, they too will eventually become empty signals your brain learns to dismiss.

  • Once you’ve slowed your brain enough to truly register the advice, take a moment to consider how applying it might impact your life. Some advice could change everything—but only if you’re willing to put in the effort, better yourself, and make the necessary sacrifices.

    Most people your age never take this next step. They’re impatient or simply unwilling to do the hard work. But if you want to take control of your future success, choose one or two specific actions you can take to apply the advice—and then follow through.

Steps for Change

Metacognitive Goal

This week, use the metacognitive goal as explained in the video. It’s so important to look at the results of the advice. If a person gives you advice, how has he or she benefited? Is that person someone you respect or admire? If so, they’re living proof that with work and determination, their advice will help level you up - if you’re willing to put in the work.

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