What's the best advice you ever received?

Yes I remember her programs. A very sensible lady indeed.

An Australian friend once advised me that if I'd done something stupid, the best thing was to just say 'Sorry, I've done something stupid' and that defuses any anger.

'Missing Mugs are usually in the Microwave'

Proved the veracity of this one again today.

What a great thread! Mine was from a colleague years ago. 'Let's just see how this unfolds before we jump in with both feet!'

I was once going to reply in kind to a very nasty letter from the person who had expected to get the job I had just got. Somebody to whom I showed the letter and my reply said I should not lower myself to her level. Instead, I sent her a very courteous reply inviting her to discuss her plans with me and gave her a specialist role in the organisation. We continued to work together and when I resigned I made sure she got my job.

Somebody else told me that whenever I had a difficult job to do, phone call to make, etc. it was best to do it immediately and this has proved to be absolutely right.

I generally take any advice that my daughter gives me, because she is wise and thinks of all the consequences of any decision.

I am not a religious person but The Serenity Prayer, or versions of it, I find worthy of offering up as advice.
'...grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.'

I had been a bit wikkid at school – nothing serious but you'd have thought it was by the fuss! – and an eleven year old classmate of mine said "Honesty is the best policy". I owned up. Didn't get into trouble (I think the teachers were trying to stifle their grins actually), but I was trusted to speak the truth thereafter.

My Nan wrote in my autograph book when I was about nine "Two things never return. A sped arrow and a lost opportunity". I've kept that by me ever since!

I'm not sure making a difficult phonecall etc is best done immediately, Isn't a time to reflect and plan first sometimes good? But I read once it's always best to make a difficult phone call standing up. Makes you more alert. It's true.

The two pieces of advice I remember from my father are:

A very good view is to be had from walking over Hungerford Bridge!
(London, goes across the Thames from Embankment tube station. In fact the view has got very much better since then as there is now a footbridge on each side of the main railway bridge not just on the side away from the Houses of Parliament. Bizarre advice though)

and

Having a job is a sign of failure (he was always self-employed and hated the idea of having a boss)

It was exciting walking across the old footbridge right next to the trains though wasn't it. I wonder if he was familiar with the Wordsworth poem, "on Westminster Bridge" which begins: Earth has not anything to show more fair...
"Don't put in a letter something you might later regret" is one a young aunt passed on to me when i was a child.
And my M.Phil. supervisor, on writing clearly, suggested that "keep to one idea per sentence" is a good rule. I quoted it only this week when debating an amendment clause to U3a constitution.

"If in doubt, do nothing!" Has often stopped me jumping in with both feet.

"Count your blessings" my mum's wisdom.

My mums best advice was Always wash dishes and clean sink before you go to bed,the kitchen will always look tidy when you come down the next day.
My Dads best was Never judge anyone by their employment status as Every job is Noble.
I have remembered these little snippets all my life and have never gone far wrong.

My best friend's: You never know what's round the corner' So true J05

[glamma] that made me smile. As one of those oblivious people that sometimes leave things in the sink unwashed for a day or two. (I mean the pans - i do have a dishwasher)

Don't press the 'send' button until you've checked you're sending to the right person. Not sure who gave me that advice. Might have been someone on here!

Be nice to people on your way up because don't know who you'll meet them on your way down.

People in glass houses should not throw stones.

Don't foul your own nest.

That is, no matter how much you would like to say your piece to a boss as you leave employment, don't do it. You never know in what context, or where, you might encounter them again.

Be yourself!

But what if you don't like yourself!

My most recent piece of good advice was 'Buy a GPS compass' and I will be following it!

I have read so many accounts of people ruining their relationships and careers by sending e-mails to the wrong people, that I am now very careful with them - but mainly I have made mistakes by posting on my Facebook wall some thing I intended to be in a private message!

As a teenager in the late sixties, dressed in a skirt the size of a belt, loads of make up etc. my Mum's advice was "get out quick before your Dad sees you!!"

She would also say "never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you"
meaning don't worry about things until they actually happen

Grannybags I have that on a piece of Mottoware! (not the bit about your dad obviously!!)

similar one my Mum used to say hang you clothes up /or put in clothes bin if necessary however tired you are it will be worse tomorrow!!

Don't bother getting a new husband, he'll only have different faults from the first one!

This one comes from Mother Ann, founder of the Shakers: 'If you can put it down, you can put it away.' I just wish I actually paid heed to it.

After my DH came through treatment for cancer -still on check-ups, but all is well - I bought him a magnet which said
Cherish yesterday,
Dream of tomorrow
Live for today.
He put it up over the fire and I'm looking at it now.