Best Piece of Advice

What’s the best piece of solid advice you’ve ever received?  I’m not talking about ‘living each day to the fullest’ or something vague like that.

There are two things which I was told and live by.

The first was when I was working in a car dealership and answering the phone.  I once took a message for one of the salesman.  Someone was very interested in talking to him and buying a car.  When the salesman asked what this prospective customer’s phone number was, I responded that I assumed he had it already.

Big mistake.

He looked at me disapprovingly and told me to ‘never assume anything’.

I can’t tell you how many times in both my professional and personal life I’ve thought about what he said and put it to use.  And more often than not, I was glad I did.

The second is from my mom.  It’s something she told me when I was quite young.  She said ‘Michelle – you never have to explain yourself to anyone.’ (Do you remember, Mom?)

This is something I live by and have used so often.  People often want to hear more than what they need to know.  I just greet them with a smile and silence.  Have to go to the doctor, take a sick day, or just make a decision that you don’t feel like you have to explain?  Guess what, unless it effects the other person, you don’t.

Other advice I (strive) to live for?

Anna Wintour has said, “Even if I’m completely unsure, I’ll pretend I know exactly what I’m talking about and make a decision.”  This one is hard, but I think really good advice.

Also….

I never write something I wouldn’t want to be made public (including texts and private messages).  I often picture my audience and imagine if I were telling it to them face to face.

Whenever I am speaking about someone, I picture them sitting with me and imagine how they would feel if they heard what I was saying.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  I’d love to hear!