People Are Sharing Some Life Advice They Received That Were Really Useful

My uncle told me whenever a family member (or friend) asked to borrow some money I should only ever give an amount I’m comfortable not getting back.

— Toks 4.0 (@Toksyk27) March 21, 2021

I had decided not to submit an essay to a journal, feeling it wasn’t good enough. A friend reminded me that it’s not my job to decide that. I submitted it and got my first academic publication. I’ve had lots of rejections since then, but never pre-judge my own work.

— Mike Sell, PhD (@mike_sell) March 21, 2021

In moving from peer to a manager, I was told “always go to any happy hour or event you’re invited to, but always be the first to leave”. 20+ years and it’s something I have always remembered and followed.

— Jill Addy Wright (@addywright68) March 21, 2021

In moving from peer to a manager, I was told “always go to any happy hour or event you’re invited to, but always be the first to leave”. 20+ years and it’s something I have always remembered and followed.

— Jill Addy Wright (@addywright68) March 21, 2021

From my boss in my 1st MGMT position, about being comfortable making decisions:
– I would rather you make a wrong decision and fix it, than no decision
– There is no decision you can make that will crash this company
-If you have to bring everything to me, then I don’t need you

— Matt Weixel (@MWeix) March 22, 2021

“Sleep on it” and never send a written message that 1) you haven’t read to yourself out loud and 2) you’re not prepared to read out loud in court.

— Fred Sondheim (@FredSondheim) March 22, 2021

Some people are philosophers and some are politicians. Philosophers want to reach truth/understanding. Politicians want to win.

Helped me rethink some relationships, how hard I was working to reach the other person and find understanding with them when they just wanted to win.

— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) March 21, 2021

Woody Allen said “80% of success is just showing up.” I used to think that was a funny joke, but now I know it is simply good advice. Show up prepared, and you get a 95.

— CK Johnson BLM (@CKJohnsonBk) March 21, 2021

If the newborn won’t stop crying and you are completely overwhelmed, put them in a baby chair or something else safe on the bathroom floor and take a shower. Either the running water will calm them or the shower will calm you. Either way, you both will be better for it.

— Heather M. Jones (@hmjoneswriter) March 21, 2021

my sister, when I was guilt-spiraling about whether I was morally obligated to reach out to my toxic ex-BFF after his divorce: “if he has lived his life in such a way that in a crisis of this scale he has no one else to support him, that is very sad and not your responsibility”

— Claire Willett (@clairewillett) March 21, 2021

You do not have to attend every argument you are invited to.

— 🐝🐝 Salted Carthage 🐝🐝 (@SaltedCarthage) March 21, 2021

An old family friend, now sadly passed away, gave me two gems:

1) ALWAYS keep your side of the pavement clean”, and

2) Don’t be a “because of” person, be an “in spite of” person.

— Savage Greg (@Greggryp) March 22, 2021

“Sometimes, it’s best to be the only one who knows what you’re thinking.” – My Father

— In The Dolomites (@QEDmostly) March 21, 2021

My Dad: not making a decision is in fact making a decision

— Caroline Madden, PhD 💛 🐝 🇺🇸 (@cmaddenmft) March 21, 2021

pic.twitter.com/AEvQ4FiYxY

— Amanda Wong (@amandawtwong) March 21, 2021

The day before a big presentation to senior management, the best boss I ever had told me, “Dress like them. If you look like them, they’ll think you’re one of them and they’ll listen to what you have to say”

— Mike Babulic (@MikeBabulic) March 21, 2021

When your boss asks you to take on new roles/responsibilities, ask them which current ones you will be able to give up in exchange. Saying “yeah, I got it” every time will leave you over extended and likely to screw one or more of those things up.

— SuperSerial (@YepMFiSaidIt) March 21, 2021

Also, from my dad: If you’re uncomfortable with compliments, the quickest way to end the conversation is to just say “thank you.” No bumbling modesty, no back-and-forth. Just “thank you.” Done!

— Laurie Ulster (@floobish) March 21, 2021

Not so much advice, but back in HS, I told this girl I was on and off friends with that some freshman girl was sitting on her boyfriend’s lap, and she literally just shrugged and said “Whatever. I don’t compete.” Totally changed my entire life.

— Robyn Pennacchia (@RobynElyse) March 21, 2021

I remember reading in Ms. Manners “Just say no. You don’t have to give a reason. If you feel that ‘no’ is too abrupt, you can add ‘Oh, I’d really like to but I just can’t'”.

I’ve never forgotten that.

— That’s DOCTOR emigre80 to you, mate. (@emigre80) March 21, 2021

Anytime you meet with anyone to do business, feed them. It works whether the business you’re doing is formal or informal, legal or criminal, personal or just business. People are better when they’ve eaten.

— AWhitneyBrown (@TheWhitneyBrown) March 21, 2021

No is a full ass sentence. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. If you don’t want to do something, say no.

— WhatTheKara (@KaraLynn001) March 22, 2021

“What people think about you is none of your business”
This always stuck with me, and I find myself relieved when I’m reminded of it.

— Michael Park (@park24hrs) March 22, 2021

I got some Big Auntie energy from an older cousin when I was first made responsible for organizing a large extended family function in my early 20’s. I was dithering and she said, “They put you in charge; take charge.”

Boom. I have never looked back.

— Saltypepper (@saltypepper) March 21, 2021

When negotiating a salary, ask for the highest number you can say with a straight face.

— Laura Norkin (@inLaurasWords) March 21, 2021