If my dad were on Hacker News, he'd be all over this. I clearly don't value his advice enough even though it's been pretty dead-on. One thought to add though. I think one problem people have with advice (at least a problem I have with advice) is sometimes, when delivered the wrong way, it oversimplifies the complexity of the situation you're in. You're in a situation and the decision looks hard. And someone comes in and gives you advice which is great but sometimes in the process makes your problem seem simple. If you struggle with a problem that to others seems simple, how do you feel? Answer = dumb. So when I'm asked for advice, I try to keep this in mind - to not minimize the significance or complexity of the person's struggle.
I see most things in life as a three-step process: first there is (apparent) simplicity, then there is the pain of discovering the real complexity of things, then there is a third step of attaining enlightened simplicity. But this only comes after having been through the complexity. So the goal to strive for is simplicity on the other side of complexity.
