Who do You Listen to?

I dont mean music silly.

Like, when you want to know or learn something, who do you listen to?

Would it surprise you to know there is a concise answer for this question?

I learned this concept from someone else and it stuck.

You listen to someone that has what you want, and has been where you are.

It's actually that simple and I'll show you why.

I think most of us can agree that a person that has what we want might have some answers as to how to get it. Right? I suppose this part of that sentence is sort of obvious.

Why would it be important for them to have been where you are though?

A person that has been where you are has seen things through a similar perspective as you.

This person knows your struggle.

Gets how you talk.

If you're only talking to someone that has been where you are and does not have what you want, will they know how to get it?

The steps it takes?
The work it takes?
The ambition it takes?

Not likely.

If you're only talking to someone that has what you want, do they understand your perspective?

Know what you're going through?
What things are making this tough for you?
How you can push through it?

Not likely.

You listen to someone that has what you want, AND has been where you are.

Both.

Because this person is not only standing where you want to go, they have also been standing right where you are at.

Would you call someone in Kansas for directions getting around Utah that had never been where you are lost in Utah? Nope.

The person that has what you want and has been where you are can draw you a detailed map straight to it!

Example:

You want tons of money.
No one around you has money and you grew up poor.

Can't ask the people around you, they don't have it!

Ok, you find someone with a lot of money to learn this money shit from. Get to know them a little and find out their dad gave them 100k for their first investment. Was this you? Did your dad do this?

Yes: Might be who you should listen too.
No: Likely not who you should listen too.

If someone grew up rich and you grew up poor they can certainly advise you on how to use money without a doubt. Listen to what they do say, even if you don't understand it because they at least have what you want and know how to use it.

Yet, without knowing what you have experienced to get here, they don't have the map pointing straight to it. They have what we could call "vague instructions".

Ever been lost?

Ever gotten vague instructions?

Ever stayed lost?

Enough said?

What if it's really, extra, super, crazy hard stuff?

Every single thing in this existence that you could ever want to learn from another human being period.... falls under this rule.


I know right...

So simple it's stupid.

You will always get the very best answers from those that have what you want AND have been where you are.

I used to make laminated wallet cards as a reminder of this for people trying to learn it. All white. One side said "Who do you listen to?" in blue, no quotes and the other side said "Someone who has what you want and has been where you are." in green. Bolded.

Now, that does not discredit information acquired from other sources.

You CAN learn great things from completely random sources.
You WILL learn great things from the person that has what you want and has been where you are... both.

Ok last time...

Who do you listen to?

Someone who has what you want and has been where you are.

Who do You Listen to?
by Michael David
Co-founder of #thealliance and loyal since before the egg.