Question: "How much is your advice worth?
Answer: _________________???

"Think seven times seven before you give advice." There is an ancient wisdom in this timely caution. In like regard, there is also an ancient proverb that is worthy of our embrace which says, "Fools rush in where angels fear to
tread." There is a tendency for many people to give advice with liberality and without any thought about how it will effect themselves or those receiving it.
When is it right or good to give
advice? No, never say never. Maybe, it is all right to give advice sometimes; definitely, not all the time or everytime you are tempted to give advice.
Now, allow me to break the first rule that governs giving advice: "Don't give advice unless it is requested and when possible get the request in writing. Even then, refuse to give advice if you know, you are on an ego-trip, playing God, or that your rhetoric is worthless or misleading.
The second rule, meant especially for people who give advice frequently, is: "Begin charging "real" money for your advice and whenever possible, require that a prepaid payment be made. (Don't you think you deserve that?) And, if no customers show-up at your place of business you can reasonably assume that you should keep your advice for yourself and take it as often as needed for your own well-being or ego-gratification.
You are right. It is not going to be easy to kick the "giving advice on impulse" habit, especially when you have advised those you considered to be important people.
So, if these rules seem to be a bit taxing, do this for a starter...a starter of some duration: "Think seven times seven before you give advice."

(On this author's home page click on "Books" and then on "Books on Human Development" to learn about books written by Uriah J. Fields.)

Write:
Uriah J. Fields
P. O. Box 4770
Charlottesville, VA 229905

Copyright 2003 by Uriah J. Fields