Title of Tip: Giving Good Advice
Name: Ashley Call, 38
Description: Giving good advice is about listening to people. When people share something vulnerable, you listen and don’t talk right away. Recently, my friend was telling me about her family problems. I sat and listened, taking in what she had to say. After she was done talking, I waited for her to ask me what I thought. Then, I tried to advise her on what I would do in her situation. You can learn from people’s stories and what they’ve been through so that you might not make the same mistakes.
Instructions: When giving good advice, tell the person to sit somewhere comfortable to share their problem. Make eye contact while they are talking. After they are done talking, you can respond and give them your feedback. The reaction you may get from the person will depend on the situation. Some people might cry, others might thank you, saying, “That really helped. I can use that.” Some might disagree, saying, “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” or they might even tell you to get lost.
Learning: Growing up, my family didn’t listen to me. I’ve been beaten on and told I’m not good enough. I never had anyone listen to me and be there for me. As I’ve gotten older, I wanted to change my reality and let people know that there are people out there who care, will listen, and try to give them good advice. I learned to try to be there for people, lift them up, and not put them down.
Story: A best friend of mine was dealing with a loss in her family, and she did not know what to do. Having experienced a similar loss, I shared what got me through. I told her to remember her loved one was not suffering anymore that they were still in her heart, and they were watching over her as a guardian angel. She said she appreciated it, and it made her feel better. It made me feel good that I could help her. I had a chill go through my body.