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Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?

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Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?

#61

Post by mrazomor »

Finance: aim to be broke when you die.

It changed my view at the personal finance, and made some decisions much easier. If I die at the old age, my kids will be in their 40's-60's. My savings won't make a significant impact on their personal finance (assuming all is well; validated over the multiple inheritance splits within my family).

Which means, don't (extensively) save for the retirement, but invest in yourself and your children. Makes spending money for the classes, better schools, moving to the neighborhood with more options, etc. much easier decision to make.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?

#62

Post by bloopernova »

For young, single heterosexual men; cultivate deep platonic friendships with women.

Get a hobby, do charity work, find something where you meet and become good friends with multiple women of different ages and backgrounds. Do not ever attempt to date any of these women.

Why? Because most men know woefully few women, and your life will be much richer. A lot of men know very little about the experiences, fears, and hopes of women.

Be there for them. Ask them for advice. Ask them for feedback on your appearance and your personality. Tell them your hopes and fears, and listen to their feedback.

You'll become a much better partner because of it, and your romantic relationships will be far more satisfying.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?

#63

Post by fghfghfghfghfgh »

From a girlfriend who was my intellectually superior (which I had a hard time dealing with)

You are responsible for your actions - no one else. "But I did it because...". No. You chose to do it. You are responsible.

Other people are responsible for their actions. Not you.

She was/is right.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?

#64

Post by astura »

vouaobrasil wrote: post #8

Best advice I got was from my psychology professor. He said "if someone asks you to do something, especially in a social situation, tell them you will think about it". It prevents you from saying yes under pressure. I still rememeber using it when someone at my old workplace wanted me to sign up to be in a club (that had a fee). I never joined and I am proud that I didn't. Also, I've learned a few things from Jordan…

>He said "if someone asks you to do something, especially in a social situation, tell them you will think about it". It prevents you from saying yes under pressure.

This is actually extremely obnoxious behavior and a big reason I stopped speaking to my mother. If the answer is "no" say "no." Only say "I'll think about it" if you really intend on thinking about it with a plan on when you'll get back to that person. OR the person you're talking to is a salesperson who is someone you will literally never see again.

If you have trouble saying no, then it's best to work on THAT.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?

#68

Post by corobo »

smallnix wrote: post #37
modernerd wrote: post #5

“…for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ’If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.” - Steve Jobs' 2005 St…

"Chemotherapy today? No again!" That "too many days in a row" is the critical part in this piece of advice in my opinion.

Any person or company that goes to extremes to obtain immortality* ends up dying earlier than nature intended.

It's the Voldemort rule. (In the story he died ~75ish years old after making himself immortal, where most wizards easily live beyond 100)

* Not literally yet, but probably soon.

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