Receiving advice is an inevitable part of life. Some of it is appreciated, while other unsolicited advice can be bothersome. However, we have the power to decide which advice we want to follow and which we want to ignore.

I was fortunate enough to receive 5 pieces of advice that have truly changed my life. These words of wisdom have had a profound impact on me, and I am grateful for having heard them. Each piece of advice is valuable in its own right and has helped me navigate various aspects of my life. I highly recommend taking these words of wisdom to heart and applying them to your own life. They may just have the same life-changing impact on you as they did on me.

“There are enough customers/clients for every business”.

I was thrilled when I launched my T-shirt business, and business was going well a few months in. I enjoyed the creativity, attention, and profits that came with it. However, my excitement turned into worry when I discovered that two popular bloggers started doing the same thing. I complained to my friend about this, but he assured me that there were enough customers for all of us. At first, I doubted him, fearing that my customers would flock to them, but it turned out to be a friendly competition in the end. I learned that there is plenty of room for every business to thrive.

“Your peace is up to you”.

If you’re a frequent reader of my blog, you may have come across this advice in some of my lifestyle posts or poems. I am grateful that I accepted this guidance. In the past, I used to feel responsible for everything, and it was overwhelming. Now, I’ve learned to select the battles that are worth fighting and leave the rest to the universe. This has allowed me to stay calm even when a fire is burning around me.

“Do It Afraid”

Some of the most successful artists, authors, speakers, doctors and businessmen have admitted that they were scared before starting and still experience fear today. However, the reason for their success is that they do not allow their fear to hinder their progress. They chose to pursue their dreams, afraid. I always remember this when I’m about to address a crowd, and it gives me the confidence I need. You can try it too. “Ideas don’t come out fully formed. They only become clear as you work on them.”- Mark Zuckerberg.

“Be kind to everyone you encounter. They may be dealing with an earthquake behind closed doors.”

As someone who wears a mask most of the time, I truly appreciate this advice. It never even occurred to me that others may be hiding their own struggles like I do. Therefore, it’s important to be emotionally intelligent when interacting with people.

“The company you keep matters, whether you admit it or not”.

Growing up, the popular quote “Show me your friend, and I will tell you who you are” lived rent-free in my head. However, I never gave it much credence. I was of the opinion that my friends’ actions, interests and demeanours didn’t have an effect on me. Boy, was I wrong! As I got older, I came to the realization that the individuals that you associate with, converse with often, or exchange ideas with, play a crucial role in determining your success or failure. Energy matters; it transcends, it transfers, and there’s no denying it.

I hope you found one piece of advice to hold on to. Share some advice that has made a huge impact in your life below.

Mariam Shittu