Best Advice Ever?

**Lmullin** · 05-22-2006, 06:58 PM

When I was a sophmore in college, I had an English teacher who said that you must learn how to do and tolerate things that you hate. He said that it is easy to do what you love, but that the majority of the time in your life, you will be faced with jobs you don't care for, chores that bore you, and other mundane tasks that just are downright unappealing!
Some of us are fortunate enough to have jobs we love.
Even as I am doing the most important work ever (raising my children) most of the work involved with the children is tedious (to me, not to all) and boring. That's not to say I don't treasure my children. I'm just saying that pushing my daughter on the swing for four hours gets a bit dull. When I am living my life and finding that it is sometimes mundane, I think back to the advice offered by Professor Elia and I attempt to put the important work ahead of myself. I usually fail at this proposition, but I usually try to "rise above." So...what's the best advice you've ever received?

**Early Bird** · 05-22-2006, 07:23 PM

'A good plan today is better than the best plan tomorrow.'

Told to me by an Army officer I worked with. I think he could see my tendency toward perfectionism.

**leezza** · 05-22-2006, 07:40 PM

"If it looks/sounds to good to be true it is"

heard this from my folks the whole time I was growing up.

leezza

**canadian gardener** · 05-22-2006, 07:42 PM

What is

IS!

(me facing up to things the way they are, not the way I wish they were) It's almost been a mantra for me.

That way as soon as I face the truth of whatever unpleasantness just IS -- I can get on with solving it, avoiding it, or otherwise dealing with it. But till I accept it is what it is, regardless of what I wish it was, I can't deal.

Along with

Do the worst first.

That is my other saying and very like your English prof who gave you some terrific wisdom there.

Do the worst first helps me get thru my day.

And then there is:
A Load a Day Keeps the Dr away, and the Psychiatrist at Bay!

Which reminds me to get a load of laundry done, take out a load of garbage, and run the dishwasher nightly.

DECIDE ON DINNER BY NINE (am or pm which ever works!) That is another little saying that greases my skids thru life.

**canadian gardener** · 05-22-2006, 07:49 PM

Don't fix it if it ain't broke is another one that has kept me from insanely tackling more than I need to do.

If you can't buy it for cash, you can't afford it! is another that I should have paid far more attention to thru life.

**Lmullin** · 05-22-2006, 07:56 PM

I love the what is is advice...
I always had a great deal of frustration over the fact that my mom lived in "lala land." In other words, she always "thought everything was fine" when in fact, often it was not. I have respect for folks who are brave and honest enough to deal in reality, not just their view of it... If there's a problem, fix it. Don't pretend it's not there!!!!! Just think of all the money one could save in therapy if they just adhered to these few little gems!!!

**PrairieRose** · 05-22-2006, 08:04 PM

I had an otherwise goofy mom of 3 that lived next door to us when we first had our dd#1. Naturally I thought she was the most absolutely perfect child ever. I mean, what's not to love about her ya know? Well the only really smart thing I ever heard this woman say (b/c she was as ga-ga over her own 3 little brats as I was my perfect baby) was and I've tried to always remember that it's true even though it rocked my world at the time she said it to me. She said "Always remember that she may be the center of the universe to you guys but to everyone else she's just another kid"

I really,l really pondered that and realized that it was indeed true. I've shared it often in real life and try to prepare myself for grandchildren....

**staceyy** · 05-22-2006, 08:28 PM

"Do what needs to be done, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not". I got this advice years ago at an Amway meeting.

**DorothyBeverly** · 05-23-2006, 10:36 AM

Sometimes it's just best to keep your mouth shut.....

My Dad told me this as a teenager (boy was I mouthy)...and it is SO true...there are so many times I wish I would've just SHUT UP, KWIM??

**AmyBoz** · 05-23-2006, 10:44 AM

My two are, "it is what it is" and "do what feels right to you." The first is self-explanatory. The second was told to me by my dh when dd and I were struggling to figure out breastfeeding when she was born. The lactation consultant had been in a bunch of times, manhandling me and telling me I was doing it wrong and that's why she wouldn't latch on. The nurses tried to help, but I just couldn't get the "holds." I was in tears after 3 days of this and about to give up when dh told me to forget everything they had told me and to just do what felt right to me. So, I held her my own way and it worked like a charm. My two ds's were a breeze at bf'ing after that, cuz I did it my own way from the start!

**starsapphire** · 05-23-2006, 02:38 PM

When something in my life is stressing me out I have to remember to Stay in Today. Which means do what I can about the problem today and not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow isn't here yet. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow (which will then be 'today')

Don't get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

**Telephus44** · 05-23-2006, 06:44 PM

My two favorites are:

"Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life" - which reminds me that I can start over anytime I want to, and I don't need to keep myself in the past.

"You can do anything for 15 minutes" - This is from Flylady - I say it during housework (I can vacuum for 15 minutes!) or even at work when I'm facing a huge project (I can work on this quote for 15 minutes) and then stop working even if I'm not done. It reminds me that I can make progress without necessarily killing myself.

**Nada.Leona** · 05-24-2006, 05:11 PM

My two are "Do it, do it right and do it now", which keeps me from procrastinating, and KISS -- "Keep It Simple Stupid" (though I have replaced "Stupid" with "Sister").

**Lmullin** · 05-24-2006, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Telephus44

My two favorites are:

"Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life" - which reminds me that I can start over anytime I want to, and I don't need to keep myself in the past.

"You can do anything for 15 minutes" - This is from Flylady - I say it during housework (I can vacuum for 15 minutes!) or even at work when I'm facing a huge project (I can work on this quote for 15 minutes) and then stop working even if I'm not done. It reminds me that I can make progress without necessarily killing myself.

I like the 15 min thing. That's a good one. I sometimes set the timer for five min when I ask the kids to pick up the toys and it really motivates them. I should try doing it myself!!!