Share your advice

Since stating this project, I've done a lot of listening.  I've learned that people give advice all the time.  In the last few days I've noticed relationship tips, fashion suggestions, dinner spots, car dealers, career coaching, and the list goes on.  We are advice-giving machines!  

I believe we give this advice because we want our friends and family to be happy.  We want those around us to do well. And, we feel better when we see that we have helped others to succeed.  In that way, the advice giver benefits as well.

Today, I'm asking you to help move this project forward by doing here what you do every day in the rest of your life -- share a little advice.  

If you're struggling with what kind of advice to give, I invite you to start by thinking about what makes you happy.  Is it a special place?  Is it a time of day or time of the year?  Is it an activity?  As you think through those, some advice will come to mind.  

For example, my husband and I have recently started hiking.  We love it.  We get to spend time together and we get some exercise.  It's also amazing to be in nature, which is scientifically shown to improve your mood.  We love these casual hikes.  So, if I were writing into this project, I could submit a sentence or a few paragraphs about why I'd suggest that others might try spending time in nature.  

The benefit of this is not just in helping a young person think about something new to do, it's in the connection that we create between our generations.  This recommendation won't resonate with every young man.  But it will resonate with a few.  And, once we're connected to talk about the fun stuff, we can also be connected to talk about the more significant stuff. The connection is as important as the content. 

So, please take a few minutes and think about what makes you happy - and share it with me.  You can share in the comments, or go to the share advice page and offer it there.