The wisdom of the older generation can be a valuable source of guidance and inspiration for younger generations. A Redditor asked on a popular forum, men of Reddit, what advice from the older generation changed your life for the better?
1. Embracing Mistakes And The Courage To Move Forward
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Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. However, it takes courage to admit when we’ve made a mistake and take steps to correct it.
‘It’s ok to make mistakes. But build the courage to accept that it’s a mistake and move forward from there.” said one.
‘This one is key. I learned it from an older coworker when I was stressing out about a mistake I’d done.” another added.
2. Buy Nice, Not Twice
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The concept of “buy nice, not twice” encourages investing in high-quality items that may cost more upfront but are more durable and will ultimately save money in the long run by avoiding the need for frequent replacements.
“Buy cheap, get cheap.” said one. ‘Cry once. Buy the best you can get.” another said.
3. Personal Knowledge Over Gossip
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It’s important to form our opinions of others based on our experiences and interactions with them rather than relying on gossip and rumors from others.
“Only judge someone based on what you know about them, never what other people say about them.” a Redditor said.
“Be curious, not judgemental.” another added.
4. Weighting The Pros And Cons
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When considering the pros and cons of a decision, it’s essential to weigh the quality of each factor rather than simply counting them. One strong reason can outweigh multiple weak ones.
“When you weigh the good and the bad, remember it’s not 1:1. One good reason can nullify five bad ones, and one bad can nullify five good reasons. Learn how to weigh them instead of counting them. Thanks, uncle.” said one.
“This is an important perspective. It’s well-known that we’re inclined to pay attention to bad news, and it’s estimated that you need five times as many positive interactions as negatives to feel as though something is good passively.” said another.
5. The Value Of Doing Things Right
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When something is worth doing, it’s worth taking the time and effort to do it properly. “If it’s worth doing, and it’s worth doing right.” said one.
“My version was “If you don’t have time to do it right, you better have the time to do it again!” a user said.
6. The Futility Of Worry
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Many of our worries and fears never come to fruition. By focusing on the present moment and not letting our anxieties control us, we can lead a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
“75% of the things that kept me up at night with worry never even happened.” said one. “I am an old man and have known many troubles, but most never happened.” another added.
7. The Value Of Financial Discipline
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Financial discipline is essential for staying debt-free and building wealth. If we can’t afford to pay cash for non-essential items, it’s a sign that we don’t truly need them.
“Unless it’s a house, a car, or essential repairs to either, if you can’t afford to pay cash for it, you don’t need it. My grandfather told me that when I was 19 & it kept me debt free (aside from a mortgage & a car loan) my entire life.” a user said.
“That’s a piece of advice I got from an economics class that I love and currently live by. If I cannot afford to buy something in cash, I will not pay for it with credit. The only reason I have a credit card is that having a good credit score is important in the US.” another user added.
8. The Simplicity Of Honesty
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Honesty is a powerful tool for building trust and maintaining solid relationships.
“Honesty is the key. The less you lie, the less you have to remember.” said one. “Love this. My grandma told me, “you never tell just one lie.” She meant that the first lie is just the lead-in to the next one and so on.” said another.
9. The Power Of Long-Term Thinking
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“I hated brushing my teeth when I was little. My grandfather showed me his dentures and said, you never want this to be you. It was powerful to see long-term consequences as a warning.” said one.
“So much this. It’s incredible how much better I feel now that I exercise almost daily.” said another.
10. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
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Focusing on the big picture is vital to a happy and fulfilling life. Don’t let small, insignificant details stress you out – instead, prioritize what truly matters and let the rest go.
“My grandma used to tell me that all the time when I was younger, and I never really listened to it until I was 27. Then I started taking that to heart. Now being in my mid-30s, my life is much simpler. That’s not to say my life is a breeze, and it just means I don’t let things I can’t control stress me out.” a user said.
We hope you had fun reading this discussion. What advice from the older generation has changed your life?