But back to the topic…advice seeking, when too many people are asked, crosses the line into market research. And if you must for whatever reason tread into market research territory, then frankly your best served treating it that way, with some degree of dispassion. For example, a moderately representative sample, very carefully crafted questions, data analysis and the like. I have conducted a huge amount of market research (quant and qualitative) for clients. If there's one takeaway, it's that each subject you ask is simply a data point. Only do as much and as rigorous research as you feel comfortable with, and own the analysis/interpretation.

There will always be conflicting information. Your interpretation, and what you choose do with it, is your special sauce.

When I was about 16 I made fun of an English mistake my dad made (that was really hysterically funny). He was apoplectic. He screamed, “The day YOU speak seven languages, THEN you can correct my English!”

Click. An obsession took root. Decent goal, in moderation, but jeepers, how impractical. Eventually, thankfully, I abandoned it for greener pastures.

Something I often say to clients is to be wary of any line that begins “You know what you should do?” More often than not what the well-intentioned speaker is really saying is “What I would do if I were in your situation is…”
Which can be helpful data, but is often irrelevant.

“Opinions are like asshole. Everyone has one, and they all stink.”

He was able to make enough to support a family of 5 kids into reasonably well-adjusted adulthood.
33 years later, he is close to the end of his business run and has been my role model for perseverance and self-reliance. In my career I have gone from technician, to entrepreneur, and on to corporate executive with more in store. There are events with and components of our fathers ( and mothers ) that make us who we are. Sometimes they serve us, and other times, undermine us.

Without being self-aware you will be at sea, rudderless.

I spent most of my morning thinking about it. The hardest thing for me in processing my relationship with my father has been separating the positive aspects from the negative ones. It was easiest for me to reject everything – to disown the part of me that he impacted. But that was immature, even if it was appropriate at the time.

The old adage is true – start with the end in mind. Then work backwards to fulfill the objective. You will meet people, they will have agendas (everyone does) – the “tip” is to find the agenda that most closely aligns (key word) with your vision.

These people will help you succeed.

When I started my latest venture I wrote down what I wanted to achieve. I still have that document – the first two items were the same… to help my partners be successful and to solve a significant customer problem. I've never altered my objectives, and as time moves forward I'm now meeting people who are really helping me to succeed.

It all started with the definition of the table – after that comes a lot of patience and belief in that your doing the right thing.

Cheers.

Also, it seems to me that the “tap” is often the advice-giver's own insecurity. The advice-seeker's idea will never make it because the advice-giver isn't on board or it wasn't their brainchild to begin with. Sometimes it's merely that insecurity or perhaps an artificial barrier to entry protecting their turf from new players.

Thanks, Pete!

And Pete, you sure do come out with one great comment after another. Wowzers.