Do one thing every day that scares you

Recently, I published an article about the importance of listening to Millennials, and how this can benefit your business in a big way. Firstly, huge thanks to everyone for the great feedback. There were several interesting points and I’ve had a few people asking me for advice. This really made me think about the value of advice and how and why it is given.

It reminded me of a line in a song.

"Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth."

Having four children - three boys, now adult Millennials; and a teenage girl - I can confidently say that advising any of them has never been an easy task. Largely, I’ve never wanted to let them down and I certainly wouldn't want it to go wrong! So, after putting some more thought into this, I remembered some advice from a song that really amused and inspired me.

In 1997, the Chicago Times published an article called "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young", which quickly went viral. You may recall the words yourself, it’s more commonly known as the song by Baz Luhrmann, the one that gets everyone nodding at the incredibly insightful realities of what’s being said. From the 90’s, ‘Sunscreen’ - a masterpiece if ever I heard one, 

The words are simple but incredibly substantive. The lyrics narrate nuggets of advice (over the lilting sounds of Rozalla’s “Everybody’s Free”), each one as amazing as the last, always returning to one simple fundamental that we should always wear sunscreen! Perhaps reminding us that the basics of life are really what matters.

Every line in the song is golden but there are a few that really shine…

For my kids…

"Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't."

In life and in business…

"Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.”

For reflection…

“Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasise that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders."

The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists, whereas any of my advice has not! It’s simply my own meandering experience given with genuine belief and hope of helping.

Oh, I almost forgot, here’s one I should’ve acted on…

"Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.” Hmmm.

Listen to the song yourself and remember,

"Do one thing every day that scares you”. 

Oh, and of course, do wear the sunscreen.

Thanks for the wisdom, Baz; genius as always.  

Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGH17WKAs7M&feature=youtu.be

My original article: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/millennials-perfectly-misunderstood-elevating-prepaid-chris

Credits and thanks to: Baz Luhrmann, Mary Schmich, Rozalla & Youtube

Author

Chris Gorman OBE DUniv

Serial Entrepreneur; Mobile, Music, Tech

Co-Founder & Chairman @ MusicQubed

#ADVICE #REFLECTION #SUNSCREEN #MILLENNIAL #LIFELESSONS #BUSINESS #MUSICQUBED