Hello, Alon, the Think Different Challenge picture came from Peter at I Will Change Your Life...
http://www.iwillchangeyourlife.c...rent-challenge/
He said he based his picture on the one Seth Godin created.
Liked the picture who did it?
Peter, the challenge was intriguing and fun all at once. Thanks for initiating it!
If others are likewise challenged, consider that a tag!
Anna I like your idea about saying this worked for me, take it or leave it, because that keeps your suggestion very objective and out of the realm of seeming that you're judgemental or that you "know it all." I think that's where the problems enter.
Thanks, Anna. I need good thinkers like you to add these good strategies.
Robyn, thanks for participating in the Think Different Challenge - you have written a wonderful article that perfectly captures the spirit of the challenge.
When it comes to how NOT to give advice, I always think of the father in Little Miss Sunshine and the "9 Steps" he tries to push on people.
Thanks again for the great article. I have added to the list on my page.
Hi Robyn, interesting post. What I find about giving advice to others and who actually take it, I have to actually stress, that my advice or suggestion is something that worked with me, and you have to think about it and apply it for yourself if it fits. I find that those who take the suggestion, are quite vocal if it does not work. Or family may not take my advice, but it will take the same advice from others, something that I cannot explain many times, I guess they need double opinion, lol. Anna 
Donna, I came to your site and read your thoughtful response. You really show expectations for what they are. Wow, freedom from them lifts off a heavy burden. Thanks for taking up the challenge!
I will post in a follow-up soon so that readers can see what developed from the Think Different Challenge.
All done Robyn...
The challenge has been answered and passed along. I just sent it to about 7 people as I just launched a challenge earlier in the day to colleagues and readers and if I send too many things to them, they'll shoot me! : )
As it is between my 4 blogs and articles, they're inundated.
Thanks a million for this. It's a great challenge
Best..
Donna
Hi Deb, I found that as I went more in depth with this post I began to see the negatives attached to advice giving with much more clarity. I find myself much more on the alert. 
Thanks for your visit, Deb!
Robyn - you did a great service in identifying the metamessages underneath the whole advice-giving. It so resonates! I shall bite my tongue!
Donna, I'm very happy to hear that you will post a response to the "Think Different Challenge." It proved to be very worthwhile for me and I hope it will be as valuable for you! Can't wait to see what you develop.
Thanks Robyn!
I'm glad my colleague noticed this and passed it along. #4, remember to email these people to let them know they've been tagged lol.
I am honored and will try to do this justice. Thanks for including me. Awesome post!
Donna
Matthew, that is exactly the problem of giving advice - often recipients feel worse. I hoped people could see that we may inadvertently have metamessages behind it. I included a link to examples of metamessages from Deborah Tannen. She's an outstanding researcher on discourse analysis.
I do note as Lisa Gates mentions, that I'm not likely to give advice in a business setting.
As I read the challenge, this seemed to jell in my head.
Matthew, if you would like to take up this challenge, do go for it and link back to my post and also to the original post that you'll see in #2 of the Rules for the Think Different Challenge. I will highlight the work of folks who take up my challenge and you will also get a link from Peter as he publishes all the folks who do. Think on the negatives you face, whether externally or internally and see what works for you! I like this challenge because you need to think of a solution for a negative.
Great article. I saw some research a while back about the benefits of advice *giving* vs. receiving. I think it concluded that the givers felt much better after, but the receivers were either unchanged or felt a bit worse...
Bob, I did mention that if we listen more we'd be well on our way to positives, especially with folks in family. Instead of trying to fix others, it can be more fruitful to fix ourselves... After this post, I know I have some work to to!
Priscilla, since this challenge links to personal development, it's a natural for you! it'll be fun to see what you develop.
Joanna, this one's quite a challenge. It'll be fun to see where you take it because you're so creative.
Lisa, home is where the rubber meets the road. We can get that "telephone voice" so to speak when we coach, teach or mentor, but we somehow let go of that in our closest relationships and I need to improve. Just writing on the topic helped me to "flesh out" giving advice and pinpoint areas for improvement.
Thanks for thinking of me. I will put this on my blogging schedule. Thanks for the tag.
Robyn, this is something that resonates with a lot of people. But I'm going to put you on the spot, though.
You've shown us the dark side; now take us toward the light! What are ways (and yes, I'm asking for advice here!) to do it RIGHT?
That's quite a challenge Robyn! I'm going to throw it into my thinking bucket for a few days and see what emerges!
Joanna
Robyn, I like your post so much about giving advice. I have often failed miserably with my family and friends, but, ironically, I find a blissful lack of advice giving in my coaching. So curious. A little more walking the talk at home would be good, yes?
Glad you like this challenge, C.B. It'll give you pause to reflect deeply!
Not to worry if you miss a tag or if you get to them in turtle fashion.
Oh, Robyn, you always come up with deliciously challenging tags. And I still owe you a response on your 4 corners tag.... Thank you for thinking of me!
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