06/13/2025
How to Give Yourself the Same Advice You Offer Others
Many of us are exceptional at offering wisdom to friends, colleagues, and loved ones—but when it comes to taking our own advice, doubt creeps in. Why is it so much easier to guide others with confidence while struggling to follow that same wisdom ourselves?
The reality is that self-trust requires practice. Often, the problem isn’t a lack of knowledge but a resistance to seeing ourselves as deserving of the same clarity, compassion, and insight we freely give others.
If you find yourself struggling to apply your own advice, try this simple but effective approach:
The Mirror Advice Method
1. Identify the Situation – When faced with a personal dilemma, pause and ask: If a close friend came to me with this exact issue, what would I say?
2. Write Out the Advice – Draft a message as if you were talking to someone else. Offer the same encouragement, strategies, or guidance you’d instinctively provide to a friend in need.
3. Read It as If It’s for You – Now, shift perspectives. Recognize that you deserve the same thoughtful insight. Absorb the advice as if it were meant specifically for you.
4. Act on It – Trust yourself enough to follow your own counsel. Acknowledge that the wisdom you offer others is equally valid when applied to your own life.
5. Check In Without Judgment – At the end of the day, reflect: Did I honor my own advice? Did hesitation or self-doubt hold me back? Why? This builds consistency in self-trust.
The key takeaway: Self-trust grows through repetition. The more you honor your own insights and follow through on your wisdom, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to guide yourself. You already have the answers—you just need to trust that you deserve them, too.
Have you ever struggled to take your own advice? What methods have helped you strengthen self-trust?
