You may have heard the saying, "Father knows best." But is it really true? With Father's Day just around the corner, we decided to test the old adage by asking our team: What is the best advice your dad ever gave you? We think the answers will inspire you...
The Best Advice My Dad Ever Gave Me Was...
"If the bad days start outnumbering the good, then something needs to change." - Kaley Hinrichs, Tax Intern
"'There are only two things guaranteed in this world: death and taxes.' As an estate tax specialist, I managed to combine those two things into one niche career." - Kellie McLain, Estate & Gift Tax Associate
"My dad has a few. In our neighborhood, he drives down the center (there aren't any lines), saying he has a license for both sides. He is also a contractor by trade so he loves to use the old classic, 'measure twice, cut once.' He also taught me the value of money compared to the hours worked. 'How many hours of work do you have to give up in order to buy the thing you want?' Is it worth the time? If not, I don't make the purchase. The last one was also time related. Sometimes people worry, oh man, college takes four years, braces take two years, etc. The point is, the time will pass whether you do that thing or not. 'Will you have something to show for the passage of time?' Time shouldn't be considered in the pros/cons since time will pass whether you do it or not." - Ginger Derringer, Senior Tax Manager
"When I was growing up and there were bullies in school, Dad would always say, 'Don't let the bastards get you down.' I remember that phrase throughout my whole life when situations arise." - Mary Jorgensen, Senior AR/AP Specialist
"You should always listen to advice from those who have more experience than you, but that doesn't mean you have to take their advice. Only you can know what's best for you." - Jill Kinney, Senior Audit Manager
"Work hard; be open to helping others in whatever way you can; and never hesitate to accept your mistake." - Rida Naz, Tax Associate
"When I was a child, my dad multiple times tried to teach me that the prefix 'tri" means three: 'A triangle has three sides, a tricycle has three wheels, and a tripod has three legs (my dad is an avid photographer); what does tri mean?' Every time, I would respond with an enthusiastic, 'to do your best!' Although it took some time for me to grasp the concept of threes, it was obvious he taught me, more importantly, to always try my best. He always says that it doesn't matter if you are good at something or not, as long as you try... and more practically, to always have renter's insurance." - Allison Apol, Tax Associate
""Be honest with everything.' My parents never lied to me about anything, and it is something that I will pass on to my kids." - Chris Woodruff, Tax Administrator
"You'll overcome hard times, and they will be nothing but a good story to tell." - Ali Bawi, Client Accounting & Advisory Services Associate
"Think once before you act, twice before you speak, and three times before you post it on social media!" - Will Park, Senior Tax Manager
"We never fully know what's going on behind closed doors in people's lives — it's often the hardest people to love who need love the most." - Andrea Raye, Tax Administrator
"'Nothing good happens after midnight.' Now that I have two small kids, I finally see his point... these 3am wakeups probably weren't what he had in mind, but I definitely agree now!" - Jamie Gardner, Senior Audit Manager
"One thing that my dad still tells me is that he spelled my name with a 'K' so he never would have to buy me anything from Disneyland. His best advice: 'Give your child a unique name or spell it differently from the norm. That way you don't have to buy them anything from Disneyland.'" - Krystal Danly, Client Accounting & Advisory Services Associate
"When roughhousing, don't get hurt and don't die." - Mary Amarelo's husband (dad of 4)
"If you're not having fun, don't do it anymore." - Shauna Hovancsek, Principal
"'You've got this!' This very 'dad-like' straightforward advice was given before a concert, an exam, a challenge or after a heartache, but it was backed with a father's love, support, and confidence in my abilities. 'You've got this!' has become my self-guiding mantra when faced with difficulties, chanted to myself under my breath to calm myself before any anxiety-inducing scenario. It's not so much the words, but the calming reassurance that with my dad's loving support, and my knowledge of my capabilities, I can say, 'It's okay, I've got this!'" - Anonymous