If You Ask Me . . .

There's a way to sound less superior when offering advice. Find out what it is in this mini podcast.

 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. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"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. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

If You Ask Me . . .

Many years ago, The Grasshopper offered this observation:

“It’s not advice, it’s input.”

That simple distinction changed the way I communicate.

I stopped giving advice as a result because it often seemed to fall on ears that weren't ready to hear it. Then I discovered something that worked better: input.

The difference may sound subtle, but I don't think it is.

Advice often leaves the receiver feeling like there's only one right answer—and conveniently, it's yours. Even when your intentions are good, advice can come across as, "Here's what you should do."

And most people don't enjoy being told what they should do.

Advice has a top-down quality to it. It arrives from "on high," which frequently translates to low value by the intended receiver of your “divine” wisdom. 

Unfortunately, that can make even good advice easy to dismiss.

Input feels different.

Input sounds more like, "Here's something you might want to consider."

Whenever I offer input, I often preface it with an old computer axiom: "Garbage in, garbage out."

In other words, here's an idea. Try it on for size. Maybe it fits. Maybe it doesn't.

That approach leaves the choice where it belongs – with the other person. They're the chooser, not the recipient of a stone tablet handed down from a modern-day Moses on Mount Sinai.

I've found that input has a better chance of getting through because it doesn't immediately trigger the resistance that advice often does.

"If I were you" is advice.

"Here's something that worked for me" is input.

That may sound like semantics, but in my experience, one tends to register more deeply than the other.

I'd advise you to start using input, but then I'd just be giving advice.

I find it works better if you decide to try it on your own.

All the best,

John