Best nonsense advice you have ever received?

It's not a problem until it is

If you ask people to do something politely and with a smile nine times out of ten they will . For the one that says no accept it with grace .

The importance of saying thank you . If you thank people for their help they most likely help you again .

If it's nothing to do with you , or it doesn't affect you then don't worry about it .

Definitely - high quality coat and bag (and maybe shoes) make a difference and last a long time - pair it with H&M top and jeans and it all looks good.

One I saw on here the other day is someone is putting you in a position to do something you would rather not - "Your lack of organisation doesnt make it my problem"

The 1 minute rule I saw a teacher give a group of primary school kids about saying something negative about another -
Can the other person do something about it in 1 minute? e.g. "Your hair is messy" "Your shoe laces are untied" "you have a boogie in your nose" all are ok to say because they can be sorted in 1 minute.

"You have a big nose" "you are fat" "Your dress is dirty" "you are ugly" - can they change those things in 1 minute? No - so dont say them

Also in term of 'praise in public/criticise in private,' just the first part is a good start. I've worked in so many places where managers act as though saying well done comes at a cost from their own salary. Either that or think you need to go overboard with certificates and prizes and employee of the month etc. Just acknowledging something, either directly to them, or briefly highlighting it in a meeting, can go so far in employee goodwill.

My current job always thanks us either in person/sends emails acknowledging hard work, good outcomes etc. It's still public sector, we don't get bonuses and the workload is still high but just being acknowledged can make all the difference - and it's free and easy!

Same in personal life - a compliment, whether to a friend, acquaintance or stranger, very rarely goes amiss. Possibly the quickest and easiest way to get someone to like or at least free pre-disposed to want to help you!

Yes, sometimes it helps to time boring tasks like changing the duvet cover - when you know it literally only takes 3 minutes, your brain can't turn it into a massive put-off-able task.

Sometimes you can't see the trees until you're out of the forest. It was only when I left an employment I could see I was over involved. I now just do what I have to do no more no less .

Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups.

My old boss used to say that and it's always stuck with me.

""Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said right now? Does it need to be said by me?".
If everyone on here followed this advice the forum would be much nicer but also MUCH quieter

Mine is 'if something takes less than [short time, say 30secs to 2mins] do it now rather than putting it off.' My natural inclination is to dump/leave things 'for later' then do a big clean every few days when the place becomes a tip, but following it generally keeps the house looking ok most days.

My dad's "manners cost nothing." My nans " we might be poor but soap costs pennies and water is free so be clean "

One from dad I still don't fully understand 30 years after he died, when ever I was in the wrong place "out the way, let the dog see the rabbit"

For really good life rules look up Gibbs rules from ncis...rule 9 always carry a knife has helped soooo many times

Picked up from the 'things to make life easier' thread on here .... wouldn't say it's nonsense, rather it's way more effective than it actually sounds; never leave a room without doing 2 things to improve it

These aren't necessarily big things, but I now actively look around to see what I can do - can be as small as straightening a cushion or putting yesterday's newspaper in the recycling. Won't necessarily help those with clinically clean and tidy houses already, but whilst I don't live in a pig sty, I have a relaxed attitude to tidiness, yet too untidy bothers me. This technique has been a game changer for me

My old dad would say Let it be.
Meaning sometimes doing nothing about an issue is the best solution. (as in picking spots or worrying a problem over and over). Also, sleep on it before making a big decision.

Totally. If you have to think twice about doing something it may not be a good idea. And if someone creeps you out there will be a reason for it.

She was also a big fan of having clean shoes which I think is similar to the coat advice ie a simple way to look smarter. I have to admit I don't always abide by that one.

My nana had a lot of sayings that I find useful and comforting (I can hear her saying them in my head). My favourite is 'do your best angels can't do better'. I say it to myself sometimes in tough situations where I am not sure I am getting it right and it reassures me that as long as I tried my hardest that's all that anyone could reasonably ask.

Another seemingly nonsense bit of advice that often holds true is that the thing that you first love most about someone is often the exact thing that'll drive you mad in the end.

I agree with the coat thing, in terms of building an unwarranted reputation for 'tremendous style'. Coats are somehow more memorable than a freezingly expensive understated cashmere jumper or tiny solid gold earrings. I've got a couple of really good coats, both bought in the sales at massive discount, possibly because they were a bit too statement-y for most people, and several friends have commented, independently, on my so-called eye for style, and when I've drilled down, it's based entirely on these two coats, and the bargain vintage brooches I always pin on the lapels.

Fair enough but I'm now intrigued where you work: you keep your coat on all day but still look smart, so ruling out building sites etc where practicality is the main consideration. PhD would suggest professional level job or academia. Too invested in this 😆.

Other truly life changing advice was :

‘Put a toothbrush in every bathroom’

Might sound really ridiculous - but when we got a new toilet and sink put in downstairs, I immediately saw the joy in popping in for a quick wee now rather than traipsing upstairs - but when a 2nd toothbrush was installed in there too - it honestly changed my life!

NB I do have a chronic pain condition and having to navigate stairs fewer times during the day does save me a huge amount of time pain and energy.

NEVER let them BORROW your charger. Let them USE it.

My kids are not allowed to borrow ( as in take my charger from it’s place.) my phone charger. As once it disappears into the pit of doom that are their rooms I will never see it again.

Anyone is welcome to use my phone charger - but only in its designated spot in the kitchen!

Similarly my friend solved the charger problem by getting the whole family iPhones except themself who had an android. Non comparable chargers so theirs was left alone!

It’s an invitation not a summons.

Whatever the event you don’t have to go!!!! Which leads me to the next favourite…

No is a complete sentence!

You do not have to give 100 valid reasons as to why you don’t want to do something…. No (often paired with thank you - or that doesn’t work for me….) is more than enough

You’re exceeding the limits of my medication!

Best said with a cheeky smile but can deliver the message in a humourous way that someone is going too far!

That life can turn on a sixpence so make the most of time with friends and family. Make them a priority.

Trust your gut.

This is what Tara Palmer Tomkinson would say on TV, wear a good designer coat and handbag and the rest of your outfit can be Primark etc.

Doesn’t really apply to me as I don’t wear designer stuff but I still remember her saying it.

I love that.