It's an instinct for us to give advice - whether we are asked for it or not - as we show care and concern for others, especially to those who are close to our hearts. Our intentions may be good, but more often than not, giving unsolicited advice causes more harm than good. Learning how to shift our mindset about showing care and offering help as well as learning other life skills can prove to be more helpful over providing a "quick fix" through unsolicited advice.

Today, I discuss the difference between solicited and unsolicited advice and why we should reconsider giving the latter. I discuss why people feel the need to offer unsolicited advice and the role that timing plays in providing help to others. I also share how I deal with unsolicited advice in my personal and professional life and share tips on how to handle advice given by people you love.

"Advice assumes that our perspective is the right one and that the way that we see things will work perfectly for others." - Pripo Teplitsky

This week on Relationships! Let's Talk About It:

• How to avoid giving unsolicited advice and still get the point across to the other person.
• How to know if the other person is ready to hear your advice.
• How setting a firm boundary about homeschooling my son helped me and my mom learn to respect each other's boundaries around unsolicited advice.
• Why men need to stop giving unsolicited advice to their partner when their driving.
• How to tell others that you're not up to hearing unsolicited advice.
• Why unsolicited advice from loved ones can be threatening.
• How rephrasing my concern towards my son's wake board helped me practice and model good parenting.
• How giving unsolicited advice to teenagers or your own children affect the way they see themselves.
• Different ways to address concerns with your children or teenagers without having to give unsolicited advice.
• Why giving unsolicited advice can be detrimental to others.
• The appropriate approach to provide space for others to open up.
• The intent to understand vs. the intent to reply.
• How to make people experience having powerful and lasting impressions on the decisions they make.

Resources Mentioned:

• Setting Boundaries Without Guilt
• The Art of Listening
• A Father-Son Conversation

Sponsored by Farm to Home Milk

Farm to Home Milk is an Asheville-based distribution company of grass-fed, GMO-free milk. They serve many of Asheville's local restaurants and coffee shops. The secret to their success is their focus on the personal relationships they have with their customers. Their motto: "Compassion is Possible" is proudly featured on the side of their delivery trucks and is a reminder of how they aim to be - in a relationship of sustenance.

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Let's Talk About It!

Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Relationships! Let's Talk About It - the show to help you forge deeper, more meaningful connections and relationships with those around you. If you enjoyed this week's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review.

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Theme music "These Streets" provided by Adi the Monk

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