What Is the Best Advice You Have Ever Received?
How has one piece of advice transformed your life? Advice from our readers.
Last week I published the article, What Is the Best Advice You Ever Received, which recounts the words that transformed the lives of women leaders. I then posed the same question on LinkedIn, Twitter, and the Women In Product Facebook Group. I got a ton of insightful responses from others who have received life-changing advice. Today, I’m sharing ten of those responses that resonated with me. I also encourage you to reflect on the people in your life who have given you advice, and on the impact their words have had on you.
“Don't be afraid to win.”
Elizabeth Meza Umaña (on LinkedIn)
How true are these words? Rather than always being on the defensive, try going on the offensive. If you spend all your time being afraid to lose, then you are missing the chance to go for the win.
“Don't be the first one to say NO to yourself!”
Aruna Singh (in the Women In Product FB group)
Aruna said she heard this from a TikToker a while back. It is important to realize that every time you say “yes” to something, you are saying “no” to something else. Don’t let that “no” be to your well-being. Without proper self care and prioritization, you are setting yourself up for burnout. (A while back I wrote a post about saying no. You can find it here.)
“The berry season is short.”
Carrie Winecoff Shevelson (in the Women In Product FB group)
This quote comes from writer Laura Vanderkam: “The berry season is short. If you don’t haul yourself to the strawberry farm in June, by July the chance is gone. It is metaphorically true too.” At a time when we are juggling our careers and our families during a pandemic, we must learn to enjoy that which is fleeting. The seasons will keep changing, and one day we will wonder where the berry season went.
“You need to make them think it is THEIR idea.”
Jason Liu (on LinkedIn)
Jason mentioned that he heard this from a product manager. It was a lightbulb moment, the realization that being a great leader means being collaborative. When people feel engaged, and feel that what they’re doing matters, the quality of their work will show. Be inclusive. Don’t just take credit for your entire team’s work. Turn “me” into “we.”
"Showing your vulnerability can be a superpower…"
Gayatri Iyengar (on LinkedIn)
Gayatri’s advice is a great reminder that we are all vulnerable. Embrace it. Don’t hide from it; instead, turn it into something you can use. Vulnerability does not have to equate to weakness. How can you turn it into something you can use to your advantage?
“The bigger pie theory.”
Ananth Sankaranarayanan (on LinkedIn)
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