Counselors are the people that you can count on to provide the words of encouragement, and the guidance that will help you navigate the best route to follow to reach your goals. Remember back to a time when someone gave you some very wise words of counsel, they said something that really resonated with you and it stuck with you, and you continue to use that guidance in your life today. Counselors, unlike advisors, are there to give you the tips and tricks that will be beneficial in succeeding in your attainment of you goal. If we take the conversation I had with my wife from the previous section and have that same conversation with a counselor, you will see a noticeable difference:

“I think I’m going to write a book.” (notice I did not call him “Honey”)

“That is a wonderful idea, I have written several books myself, and find it quite refreshing to put my thoughts on paper.”

“I have never written a book before, my spelling isn’t the greatest, and my grammar is not the best, better than my wife’s, but not the best.”

“Oh, they have a wonderful new tool called spellcheck, use it myself quite often.”

“Is it hard to write a book? What about getting published?”

“It’s not easy, but it doesn’t mean it is difficult. There will be times when you wonder if you made the right decision, but in the end it will all be worth it. Let me share with you some of the tips and tricks that I found useful in writing my books. First, you need to … “

See how different that conversation went? It was based more on how to help me become successful and not so much about how to keep from getting hurt. A good counselor will provide needed information, details, and based on their experience, maybe even some people that can assist you further.

Whenever you decide to venture out on a new journey, it is always best to seek good counsel and take the information they offer you and put it to good use. They have the experience, knowledge, wisdom, and even some battle scars to share with you that will help you make a much more informed decision and eventually help you decide if the journey is meant for you to take or if you would be better off, putting that idea aside for now.

The value a good counselor can add to you is priceless, be sure you return the favor and pay it forward as often as you can.