I see this happening all the time. Certain individuals eagerly giving advice to others, about how to get things done - achieve set goals, recover from setbacks, deal with adversity etc. They do this in the course of giving talks, or through their writings - in books, articles, newsletters etc.

Sometimes however, I have been surprised to discover that some of those who are ever so quick to offer advice to others, very often SELDOM apply the same wisdom in their personal lives.

Does Quoting Success Quotes Mean You Will APPLY Them In Your Life?

Consider this example. A motivational speaker writes in a book about the subject of adversity - telling the reader that having self discipline will enable a person take action to achieve a set goal under any circumstances - no matter how difficult. Quoting copiously from the bible and other self-help books this individual exhorts the reader to make a personal decision to stop doing things that will prevent him/her from succeeding.

Now, we all know that the above ideas are true. Most of us are aware of the saying that "tough times never last - but tough people do. The question I however ask is that "Is it every one who uses THAT 'tough times' quote that will APPLY it in his/her REAL life when the need to do so arises?" I say NO - based on personal observations I have made over a number of years.

Take the case of the earlier mentioned speaker. In personal life, and even business endeavors, this speaker-author continually fails to finish tasks as simple as preparing needed promotional write-ups for the company's business marketing. In certain instances, this person ends week after week NOT delivering promised materials to waiting staff, for progress to the next stage of work.

A Love Of EASE Can Stop You From Doing What Needs To Be Done

What for me is often most intriguing is that such persons at the same time are typically quick to find (or create) time to go out on road trips to meet friends or even run errands for their spouses or relatives. Sometimes I cannot help feeling they jump at such opportunities to ESCAPE from what they consider the onerous task of finishing those activities they have been struggling with.

I'm hoping you understand what I am saying here. These guys that I refer to KNOW the answer(s). They have the formula. They have been there before - at least a little. Which is why they feel qualified to comment, and offer advice.

But they have over time, probably due to achieved success, and a consequently more comfortable lifestyle, developed a love of ease, manifesting in an unwillingness to task themselves too greatly.

As a result, they find it easy to tell others what to do and how. But they will not readily follow their own advice. Except a compelling need to do so arises - such as a setback that requires drastic changes in their attitude.

And this is something that can happen to any one of us. That's really what makes us human beings. Like my Dad once remarked, quite correctly too: "It's very easy to forget what suffering feels like, once we begin to enjoy success, and the comfort that comes with it".

For this reason, each of us needs to stay alert to the need to avoid becoming lazy or complacent, especially when things start going the way we want them. That is likely to be when others will approach us more frequently for advice on how to get their own lives working better, like ours.

What You Can Do

My suggestion is that every time you find yourself responding by offering advice or suggestions to those who ask, you also take time out to consider how YOU can apply the same advice you have given out (in your writing or during your talk), to YOUR OWN LIFE. If you do this, sincerely, chances are high that you can make yourself an even BETTER person, and win yourself more admirers or fans in the process.

In other words, I am saying that sometimes you might want to consider taking your own advice - so that you can constantly improve yourself.
 

Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist - Tayo Solagbade-
works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably. Download your copy of his 25 Articles Ebook (titled "25 Articles/True Stories On Self-Development, Entrepeneuring & Web Marketing To Help You Succeed More Often") from http://www.lulu.com/content/268555. You get full reprint rights for each article. Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to subscribe to Tayo's Self-Development Digest newsletter.

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