Fathers Know Best: Best Advice from Fathers

Most of the time, my dad throws out tips like the following: “Make sure you eat at that restaurant. It’s a good time to buy a house.” Or he tells me when to get my oil changed or doles out advice on anything from insect bites to being self-employed. I admit that a lot of his words go through one ear and out the other. It’s just what happens when you grow up and take your parents for granted.

However, I began reflecting on the jewels of wisdom he’s dished out throughout the years. I was surprised at how many things he’s taught me that I continue to use today. I’ve also included advice from other dads in honor of Father’s Day. It might remind you of your own father, teach you something new or rekindle a memory of why the man in your life (your dad, uncle, step-dad, father of your children) has done so much for you.

Brandi-Ann Uyemura is a freelance writer who specializes in psychology and self-help articles. She has a MA in Counseling Psychology and writes for several publications and websites.

Goals

“My father, I was crazy about him, he was tough, but fair. He always would say the reason I’m being so tough on you now while you’re little is because it will be easier for you when you grow older. He was right…My father told me when I was a small boy, he strongly recommended I set my goals so high that I couldn’t achieve it in my lifetime because he had set his goals. He set a goal after the depression that he would be a millionaire and have a yacht and a plantation. And he had a small plantation and a small yacht and he was a millionaire. And he couldn’t refocus his life. He said, ‘I made a mistake doing that. I’m in a lot of trouble now because I’ve achieved my goals.’ And he said, ‘Please set your goals so high that you can’t achieve them,’ so I’m trying to help save the world and that’s probably higher than…I don’t anticipate achieving them completely. But I’d like to.” – Ted Turner on Oprah’s Master Class