On Advice + Self-Help Books

Revisiting The Best Advice I've Ever Read

ROBERT FULGHUM + STEVEN PRESSFIELD

As much as I try to live by the KISS principle (“Keep It Simple, Stupid” or “Keep It Short and Simple”) and remember the 80/20 Rule (aka Pareto Principle), life has a way of getting complicated—sometimes overwhelmingly so.

Not just for me, but for a few of my nearest and dearest lately. Maybe for you too.

The world is a messy place and we humans are a messy species. So much so there’s an entire advice/self-help industry, ready, willing, and able to (sell and) tell you what you “should” do, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

While I’ve fallen prey to a few of those books (and courses) over the years, most left me wanting a full refund (of my money and time).

So I’ve learned to focus on storytellers sharing their experiences.
And do my best to avoid “experts” and “gurus” selling hacks, tips, and tricks.

If you're looking for some inspiring reads that weave stories with sage advice, here are a few I’ve read more than once and keep handy for guidance and reference:

• ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN
  BY ROBERT FULGHUM

• BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR

  BY ELIZABETH GILBERT

• BIRD BY BIRD
  BY ANNE LAMOTT

• COACHING THE ARTIST WITHIN
  BY ERIC MAISEL

• DO THE WORK
  BY STEVEN PRESSFIELD

• ON WRITING: A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT
  BY STEPHEN KING

• THE CREATIVE HABIT: LEARN IT AND USE IT FOR LIFE

  BY TWYLA THARP

• TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS: ADVICE FROM DEAR SUGAR
  BY CHERYL STRAYED

• WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE?
  THE TRUE STORY OF PEOPLE WHO ANSWERED THE ULTIMATE QUESTION

  BY PO BRONSON

• WRITING DOWN THE BONES: FREEING THE WRITER WITHIN
  BY NATALIE GOLDBERG

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
What are some of your favorite books?

Thanks for reading!
Clint

P.S. When I graduated from high school, one of my favorite people gave me a “once-read” copy of All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. Let’s just say, 34 years later, I have read it (or at least read parts of it) hundreds of times. Why? Robert Fulghum is a caring, compassionate man and writer. And he does bury the lead. This is the back cover of the book…and sums up the book perfectly. “Be aware of wonder.”

P.S. Looking for an “advice” song/music video? Watch this classic…from the 1990s.

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