Best nonsense advice you have ever received?

[Penfoldseyebrows]

We all know about those sage words of wisdom that you should live your life by, but what are the throw away nuggets of knowledge that have made a much bigger impact on your life than you would expect?

I'd like to share mine which may seem blindingly obviouss to some but undid everything I knew about laundry and literature.

1. It's OK if you don't wear matching socks.

Even when I would regularly leave the laundrette run until needimg to wear my knickers inside out was becoming a real possibility, this would never even have occurred to me. I am pleased to have passed this life lesson onto my children.

1. Never waste time reading a bad book.

I felt morally obliged to the author to finish a paperback once I"d started. I would count the numbers of pages left instead of concentrating on the words on the page. After all, if someone can commit months, years or even their life to this little bound document. then surely I could manage a few more hours to finish it. But of course, the truth is that the writer has achieved their goal and the book would be much better passed onto someone else who may appreciate it than it guilt tripping me from my bedside cabinet. I've yet to embrace it though. I still haven't accepted that no matter how many times I try, I just can't get past chapter 5 of Wuthering Heights. I'm halfway through How To Be Both and I know I should apply this rule to it but I just can't bring myself to. Maybe I'll wade through one more chapter...

So what are your small inspiring messages that have improved your life?

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.

Some lovely ones here and ones I'll definately remember and try to apply.

Just thought of another that has helped me keep my mouth shut when I could have unintentionally caused grief. That is if you feel that someone needs to be told sonething negative , ask yourself
"Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said right now? Does it need to be said by me?".

And of course "praise in public, criticise in private". So very important but many people get that the wrong way round.

Also sonething I have to keep reminding myself of is a quote from Charles Dickens: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery." So true.

Last one: you can't build yourself up by knocking others down.

Just read another thread and wanted to add..."Always ask yourself, does it actually matter?"

🤣

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 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

""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.

Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups.

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

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 .

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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 .

It's not what's said it's how it's said

People won't remember all what you said and did but will remember how you made them feel .

Love this.

If you are struggling to make a decision, toss a coin, the way you want the coin to land when it's in the air is the answer to your question.

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"

@Elvis1956 I always took that to mean 'out of the way, I'll do it'. I think it's basically about giving them space to get into a task.

Bullshit baffles brains. Aka, nobody really knows what they’re doing in life, so just waffle like you do know and everyone will assume you do.

Trust your first instinct!

It's usually right.

Oh no! I was attracted to his bum first.

I've been with him 32 years so far. What have I got coming my way?😩

Yes this! We always silently number the options eg number one wear the red coat or number two wear the blue coat then get someone else to say either one or two (without knowing whether they are red or blue). You'll instantly know whether you agree with their choice or not.

Always choose the blue or green variant in deodorant, never the pink.

To appear confident, say it with confidence, even if you don't believe it yourself.

Probably cheaper too!