Be careful who you listen to regarding your business.
You've indeed been designed with 2 ears and 1 mouth so you should listen twice as much as you speak. But remember to use that beautiful brain between your ears to filter what you hear! There are always naysayers, ambitious salespeople, negative patients and those who just give you bad advice. The trick in life is discerning what is true and false around you.
There’s an old proverb that reads “Wisdom is found in the counsel of many”. You should surround yourself with individuals who are successful in business and life, then turn your ears on. Get their input! Listen not only to what they say, but what they don’t say. Many of the truths applied in business are taken from everyday life experiences…common sense some may say.
I advise clients to take what you hear and consider how it applies to your life three-fold:
How it would have affected the past?
How it may affect the present?
How it could get you where you want to be?
Think of your business as a storybook. There’s a beginning, middle, and end. The best books have a flow throughout the story. There are ups and downs, but there’s also a theme and a set of principles that are held to be true throughout the narrative. When considering the advice of others, embrace the discipline of playing out that advice affecting your whole story, not just what’s in front of you.