#7 Opposites Attract but Birds of a Feather Flock Together
When you’re unsure of what to do, it’s natural to seek advice from someone more experienced. I do this all the time. But whether you’re looking for life or business advice, no one knows your situation like you do. Others may not fully grasp your unique perspective, shaped by your own experiences. Maybe what you’re really looking for is a fresh viewpoint.
We all see the world through the lens of our experiences. This can make it hard to figure out what you truly want, let alone explain it to someone else. Even when you try, it’s difficult to convey the full context, and advice is always filtered through the giver’s own experiences.
It’s also important to realize that for every piece of advice, there’s often an opposite that’s equally valid. Consider these familiar sayings:
- Opposites attract vs. Birds of a feather flock together
- The early bird gets the worm vs. Haste makes waste
- Too many cooks spoil the broth vs. Many hands make light work
- Clothes make the man vs. You cannot judge a book by its cover
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder vs. Out of sight, out of mind
These phrases contradict each other, but each holds some truth. The challenge is knowing when to apply them. I’ve found that we often resist the advice we need most, thanks to our personality or habits.
Take strength training, rehab, or nutrition as an example. How do you navigate the overwhelming and often contradictory advice blasted across the internet? Even well-informed people can find it tough. Now imagine being a beginner who wants to start training or someone aspiring to become a coach. It’s easy to get lost in all the conflicting opinions.
Jeremy Hiffon put it best: when asking for advice, don’t just ask what someone did—ask what they were thinking at the time. This helps you filter their experience and apply what’s relevant to you. Context is everything.
By: Isaac Lewis
