It is generally said that following to the advice of family and friends is better way of learning about life than personal experience. Some people might agree with this statement because it is a plausible argument for some aspects. However, I think that listening to others’ opinion is not as influential as getting real experience. Let me compare and contrast its pros and cons.
On one hand, others’ opinion prevents a person from making errors. It does not take a genius to know that if we already know others’ experience and its consequences, we can work more effectively because we are able to predict what will happen and how to handle in advance. Let me assume I should take care of a baby. In this case, I would ask my mother many things, such as what to feed him, how to change diapers, and so on. If others do not give advice, the baby will cry out because of my clumsy skill. Likewise listening to the advice helps me not to go through too much trials and errors.
On the other hand, personal experience allows a person to learn about life more deeply. Everyone knows that real experience has greater impact on one’s life. According to Gallup, the most famous research institute in Korea, it was responded that 80% of adults in Korea said that their most significant lessons of life came from their own experience. 65% of the respondents also told that they regretted that they had followed other’s instruction without thinking by themselves. They also responded that they should’ve made their own decision. This indicates that people more cherished their own experience than other’s advice.
To summarize what I mentioned above, this issue depends on the situation I have because it is not black or white issue. However, I believe that the impact of personal experience outweighs that from of other’s advice. Thus I eager to live by my own will.
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