Share some of the great pieces of advice that has stuck with you over the years.

[mike_belben]

lemme get on the top of the like list for that one.  

a man with time is rich already. 

[woodroe]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[jimbarry]

Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behaviour does.

[Corley5]

"Work smarter not harder".  "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission".

[WV Sawmiller]

  I like that. 

   The best boss I ever had used to tell us if there was a gray area whether we had authority to do something or if belonged to higher HQ, assume we did and do it.  We'd either establish a precedence for the future or at least make it black or white. 

   He also said It was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission too.

[hacknchop]

Most people would rather see a sermon than hear one , in other words practice what you preach.

[WV Sawmiller]

  Perfect is the enemy of good.

  Too often people want something perfect so they want all the information before they will make a decision or start on something.

  I found I got a lot more work done with a good generalist than from a perfectionist. Take the information available, make a decision and start on something and adjust as more info becomes available.

   I also found as a generalist who could do a lot of things good or even okay I ended up working when the experts were let go because there was not enough work they could do to keep them worthwhile. Several times it allowed me to be the last guy working on a project and I turned the lights out on several.

[SawyerTed]

I agree that being highly skilled or specialized in a limited number of areas can be a double edged sword.  At times being an expert can be very profitable.  On the other hand being an expert in a dying field is bad.

So having some specialized skills that are honed and up-to-date mixed with broad general skills will keep a person employed and paid well.  The key is being flexible and adaptable in a changing skills environment AND learning new things. 

I was in a huge machine shop and fabrication company on a tour a couple of weeks ago.  They still were using some old school lathes and milling machines, right next to them were the CNC machines.  In talking with the machinists, they said they needed the skills required to operate the manual machines to understand and operate the CNC machines.  Most of the manual machines were used for one off items, repair items and "rapid prototyping."  

There's the advice we in the Career and Technical Education field have been giving young people for years and years, "Become a lifelong learner" and "You have to be prepared for jobs that don't exist yet" and "A four year degree isn't for everyone, but some sort of training beyond high school is a necessity for most."

[rusticretreater]

Knowledge is what you get when you read the fine print.  Experience is what you get when you don't.

This is one of my own based on years of observance, some personal experience, many stories and numerous times of shaking my head sadly:

Never underestimate a man's ability to screw up his own life.

[JJ]

Done is better than perfect because perfect never gets done.

[Big_eddy]

"If all you care about is money, you will never have enough."

My advice to my 4 boys.
"I know you're going to learn from your own mistakes. Do me a favour, and learn from mine too."

[47sawdust]

"Show up on time,do good work and keep your nose clean."

don't pay attention to this one-

"Why use 2 nails when 1 will almost do."

 manana marina 1977 Virgin Islands (think Jimmy Buffet)

[Wlmedley]

If it won't go force it.If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.   What I was told by a old man when I started doing mechanic work.

[Gere Flewelling]

From an old mechanic who mentored me when I was in my late teens:
-When you know what size hammer to use on the whatever project you are working on, you will have mechanic'n pretty well figured out.  
-Use your head before you use your tools.
-Run your welder at as low of a temperature as you can and still make a good weld.

From a junior high shop teacher:
You will work a life time to build a good reputation, but it only takes one mistake to ruin it.  Think about what you are doing!

Words I wish I had followed more than I have.

[frazman]

This one has always stuck with me from my previous work as a designer in metal work.

" Have you tried it because how do you know it doesn't work "

And this one I always tell the younger generation 

" always think before you start anything "

[customsawyer]

You have two ears and one mouth. There's a reason for that.

[elk42]

Tell me what time it is . I don't to know how to make a watch :D

[cutterboy]

Hot cheerleaders seldom make good wives. My grandmother.

[WV Sawmiller]

    You only get one chance to make a first impression.

[mike_belben]

Invest your time before you invest your money.

[GAB]

You have two ears and one mouth. There's a reason for that.

And the ratio of using each should be the cube of the numbers at a minimum!
GAB

[newoodguy78]

You've also got two eyes and one mouth, use your eyes and ears more than your mouth and you'll remember what you're being taught. 
Was told that a long time ago and never forgot it. 

[Peter Drouin]

Never be leave what you hear and only half what you see.

Lairs can figure, but, figures never lie.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Up through my teens my dad gave me many tidbits of advice, but of course I knew MUCH more than he did then.
Now realizing that it was good stuff I cant remember it.

[mike_belben]

if figures cant lie then how does 5% inflation double the price of nearly every product weve got old tax receipts for?