6 Reasons Why Your Friend’s Don’t Listen to Your Advice

Friends and family often come to the most trusted person for advice. (I say often because there are a few times they will go to someone else for a second opinion. This, unfortunately, can get them in trouble, but I’ll come back to that later.) This trusted person will listen and put themselves in your shoes so they can give you the best advice possible. They give you the truth, it may hurt, it may be the best thing you ever heard, or just plain out wrong. But you will always know what their intentions are, no confusion!

You as the advice giver must be ready to listen and come up with the right words to say. Unfortunately, after everything you’ve said which was the best advice you had, goes in one ear and out the other. Here are some reasons why:

1. You are wrong.
2. They don’t understand or think you don’t.
3. They want a second opinion.
4. They think they have a better solution.
5. You give terrible advice.
6. You are just a shoulder to cry on. (This one hurts)

I have been down this road before. Countless times I have helped out and got nowhere. My friends/family will end up falling into the same trap they seem to always fall into. But one day, they tell you about what someone else advised them to do. Guess what?! It is the same advice you gave. It may even have been the wrong advice, and it got them in trouble. Now they need help getting out of that! Trust me, the cycle repeats itself fiercely.

How can this problem be fixed? The answer is simple, let time take its course. Everyone is different, and will eventually come to a realization that your opinion should be valued. If you are sincere and truly want them to have success in their situation, why wouldn’t they want your guidance? Continue to be a good friend and listen. Don’t become biased or dishonest with what you say. That is when issues will arise.

If you become the problem in the situation, not only can it make the situation worse, but it can also ruin the relationship. This happens often when friends begin to meddle and try to prove their point. Don’t be that friend! Be the good friend who lets them learn from their mistakes. Just give them the road map to it. They will thank you.

From your experience, how has a friend’s advice helped or hurt you? Leave your comments below!