Food For Thought

This week's Grasshopper Notes essay from john Morgan for the week of April 28th addresses the topic of advice . . . and how to give it.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

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"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

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Transcript

Food For Thought

Over the weekend I heard an old expression — Food for Thought — and it really got me thinking about a better way to give advice.

Long ago, whenever I offered advice, it usually felt like it just . . . bounced right off people. Unless someone’s actually paying you for your advice, it turns out most folks don’t really want to hear it — especially when you lead with, "Here’s some advice."

So I started softening it a little. I’d called it "input" instead. Sounded a little less bossy, a little more casual.

But hearing Food for Thought again made me realize — that’s probably the best approach of all. It’s an invitation, not an instruction. It gently suggests, Hey, here’s something you might want to chew on — without coming across like you're telling them what to do.

Think about how many times you’ve heard someone start with, "If I were you..."
The second you hear that? Click — your brain just shuts off.

So here’s a different way:
When someone shares a problem with you, and you think you might have something that could help, try saying, "Hey, I don’t know if this fits your situation or not, but here’s a little food for thought."

Then just offer your idea. No pressure. No lectures.

I believe you’ll be surprised how much more they actually hear you.

And one more thing — don’t serve them a whole five-course meal. Just offer a little snack. Just enough to get them thinking, "Huh... maybe I’ll give that a shot."

All the best,
 John