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Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

viniciusvacanti.com

21–30 of 31 posts

Re: Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

#21
it's really challenging to give any advice that i would follow without having walked the path to have came to that conclusion. thusly, it'd be things where time = output. such as taking up pilates, playing more golf, waking up earlier.

my favourite high level advice is: the best time to plant a tree was 5 years ago, the second best time is today.

Re: Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article suggests: "We’re now 25 people, raised $7.3 million, and just had our best month ever."

I know, but 2 out of the 3 is vanity stats. They had their best month ever, why not put numbers on that figure versus # of employees or funding.

Very few startups are going to release revenue numbers, for a variety of reasons.

Re: Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

#24
post #14

Thing is: I don't think your younger self would have listened to this advice because your mindset is a function of time. I know I wouldn't have. Unless, of course, the advice giver can show you actual proof that the things he's saying are true, e.g. like the Almanac from the future that the older Biff is clutching. Or to show Archimedes how to derive the volume of a sphere using calculus (should you show him how to g…

I've often wondered if it's possible to actually get to a place where you are receptive to learning from the experiences of others without having to experience the mistakes yourself. Perhaps it's this thing that people call wisdom :)

Re: Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

#26

Would you have listened to yourself or anyone who'd told you that 5 years ago? I've got some people in town that I do some mentoring with, and I've given them most of this list over the last few years, and generally it's ignored. However, I'll get a call, email or coffee with some 'hey - gotta tell you something!'. I listen as they excitedly share some revelation which is pretty much exactly what I'd told them 2 year…

When the student is ready, the master appears.

Re: Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

#27

Would you have listened to yourself or anyone who'd told you that 5 years ago? I've got some people in town that I do some mentoring with, and I've given them most of this list over the last few years, and generally it's ignored. However, I'll get a call, email or coffee with some 'hey - gotta tell you something!'. I listen as they excitedly share some revelation which is pretty much exactly what I'd told them 2 year…

I would say that a message coming from my future sell would probably be treated differently than a message from somebody else in the present. Unfortunately, that "treated differently" would probably involve my past self seeking psychiatric attention.

You could say something to your past self that would verify your identity in an attempt to make your words carry more weight, but I don't think there is much you can do to convince a past self that you were not a figment of their imagination.

Re: Advice I Wish I Could've Given Myself 5 Years Ago

#28
post #24
post #14

Thing is: I don't think your younger self would have listened to this advice because your mindset is a function of time. I know I wouldn't have. Unless, of course, the advice giver can show you actual proof that the things he's saying are true, e.g. like the Almanac from the future that the older Biff is clutching. Or to show Archimedes how to derive the volume of a sphere using calculus (should you show him how to g…

I've often wondered if it's possible to actually get to a place where you are receptive to learning from the experiences of others without having to experience the mistakes yourself. Perhaps it's this thing that people call wisdom :)

If my dad were on Hacker News, he'd be all over this. I clearly don't value his advice enough even though it's been pretty dead-on. One thought to add though. I think one problem people have with advice (at least a problem I have with advice) is sometimes, when delivered the wrong way, it oversimplifies the complexity of the situation you're in. You're in a situation and the decision looks hard. And someone comes in and gives you advice which is great but sometimes in the process makes your problem seem simple. If you struggle with a problem that to others seems simple, how do you feel? Answer = dumb. So when I'm asked for advice, I try to keep this in mind - to not minimize the significance or complexity of the person's struggle.
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