So, over time I've found that I do best when helping others with their problems rather than worrying so much about my own. Isn't that just the way of things? So for the longest time I've been tempted to start a little advice column of my own; keep myself out of trouble and all.
Luckily, this site has everything I need to do this -- a blog space to post the column itself, a private-message inbox to receive questions in, a good rating and comment system to keep me on-target, bio / memory space to let people know what I'm all about, and -- bonus! -- revenue share so that all the time I waste here won't actually end up wasted. (Should I quit myspace? Tell me yes.)
Now, my forte is in human relations: questions about how to deal with friends, family, colleagues, lovers, questions on how to deal with matters of emotion and communication. I've been known to give passable support on tech, consumer, and other non-emotional issues, but I really shine when it comes to talking about people.
So, want some of the best advice you'll ever get? (And you can rate me down if you don't think so!) Send me a private message with the following:
- The name you want me to put down as you. It can be your real name, your YST nick, or a complete pseudonym -- I'm not gonna blow your cover here.
- Any kinda quick-stats info you think would help -- like your age, location, sex / gender, a quick reference of who's involved (especially for those issues with lots of people!), etc. Don't include any info you don't think is important or you don't feel comfortable sharing.
- Check out this list of feeling words, and if it helps, drop a quick list of them up here with your stats. This isn't really compulsory, but it could help, too.
- So, what's going on? Give me enough detail to work with. What's making it hard to resolve without suggestions? What would you rather have happen?
- Realize that by submitting, you're giving me license to use the question. Anything you send will be properly anonymized and responded to before posting, but the whole purpose of this free service is to get an advice blog going. If I can't blog it, there's no point.
- So, you get a response -- love it? Hate it? I'd really appreciate comments and ratings; it'll ramp up my visibility and more importantly keep me on my toes. Be fair, be honest. Of course, you don't have to do anything at this point, but a response will make me happy.
Finally, you don't have to worry about judgment, lectures, or a holier-than-thou response here. I'm a very open-minded, supportive, and considerate adviser, and while I may occasionally suggest something you don't want to hear,
I'll never laud my viewpoints as more valid than your own.
6 comments
so basically people send you a message describing their situation and you give advice? just want to make sure i got it right