When We Don’t Get the Answer We Want

“Scrawny” is the word I would use. There I was shaking the hand of what would be my first college strength coach. I was on an official recruiting visit tour to decide where I would play in college when the strength coach asked me if I had any questions. 

“How do I put on size?”

I was a tall, lanky catcher who would benefit from putting on some weight and it was the most pressing question I knew to ask. But, for some reason, I remember the feeling that his answer wasn’t what I wanted to hear. 

“Well… the first thing I would tell you is to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before bed every night until we see you on campus.” 

Really? That’s the top secret Division I athlete protocol for getting big and strong? I was bummed and, while I was an early commitment to the University, I didn’t take his advice. 

I showed up for campus over a year later as a freshman. And, you guess it..

I was still scrawny. 

Now, that some time has passed and my career has brought me into the role of the advice giver in that situation I can say fully that:

• It’s good advice. 

• It’s simple and actionable. 

• And, if I did it, I would have put on size that would significantly improve my career. 

But, I didn’t. And, that is a human thing we do. It wasn’t the answer I wanted (whatever that means) and so I ignored it. 

Much of the most profound advice you’re going to receive that is worthwhile in any area of life is going to be wildly simple. Don’t let that detract you. 

Where are you ignoring great advice because it’s not the answers you thought you wanted?