We present to you professional recommendations that will help you avoid misinformation:
Firstly, be clear about what you need
Being clear about what you need is the first step towards avoiding bad advice. Do you want to talk to someone to discuss options for solving a problem, get friendly advice, or need someone to help or mentor you through a situation? It’s critical that you are as clear as possible with the person offering advice about your issue and expectations.
Before bringing them to the advisor, be prepared to explain the whole situation and consider the questions.
When taking advice, pay attention to your intuition and your body. Should you experience tenseness or resistance, it may indicate that the counsel is not appropriate for you or that the advisor is questioning your preconceptions. Thus, give yourself some time to determine the situation.
Know if they are even interested
Finding out if someone is involved in the whole situation is the best way to determine if they are giving you bad advice. It’s a positive indication if they inquire about your objectives and background.
Bad advisors typically make assumptions before offering suggestions for what they would have done in a given circumstance. They don’t go above and beyond to find out if you have the time or resources to complete the task they would have completed.
Reader’s Digest quoted advice columnist David Eddie as saying, “You want someone who’s going to drill down into the problem with you and take the time to understand the shape of it” (March 2023 India issue).
However, it would also be wrong to assume that your advice-giver is self-centred. When and where you grab someone to seek advice also matters. Make sure there is adequate room for a thorough conversation. For example, it might not be the best idea to ask questions of someone at a party. It would take time and space for even the advisor to ask the right questions.
Do they understand you?
One size does not fit all when it comes to receiving and offering advice. Individuals differ in their financial situation, ideals, and philosophical backgrounds.
Advice from others may not be very helpful if they believe that what is best for them would also be best for you. It may also backfire.
The red flags
Lead psychologist and researcher Dr. Sukriti Rex of the mental health platform Evolve provides a list of quick red flags to help you identify poor advice:
- Not personalized for you: Good advice takes your particular situation into account. Be wary if it’s general or based on their personal experience, as it might not apply to you.
- Talks without paying attention: A competent advisor probes to learn more about your circumstances. Their advise may fall short if all they’re interested in is voicing their opinions without understanding the specifics.
- focuses on the result rather than the process: Finding sustainable solutions requires careful thought. The advice may be unrealistic if it just discusses the desired outcome without taking into account the steps involved in getting there.
- The choice is ultimately yours. According to Dr. Rex, “even sound advice needs to be balanced against your own research and gut feeling.” Thus, you must have confidence in yourself.
Remember to trust yourself
- Asking for advice from someone can assist you in examining various angles and possible outcomes. But ultimately, the choice must be made by you.
- Thus, follow your instincts. When you seek advice, pay attention to the questions the advisor poses in an effort to comprehend the circumstances. You might find that answering those questions gives you the clarity you need to decide.
- Additionally, keep in mind the following actions to take when someone asks you for advice:
- Recognize the circumstances: To get the whole picture, enquire. What have they attempted? What are their objectives and worries?
- Recognize your limitations: Be honest if you lack firsthand knowledge of their circumstances. “I haven’t personally handled this, but…”
- Put your attention on giving them power: Avoid dictating. Present your counsel as options or suggestions. “Have you thought about…”
- Be open and honest about your personal experiences: If your advice is based on your own experience, be sure to say so and accept that it might not be the best course of action for everyone.
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