Hey Josh » Advice

Happy 2010!

josh — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:00:57 +0000

Happy 2010!

I wanted to quickly give you three biscuits of knowledge on how to kick 2010 in the FACE!!! (Pardon me—I play a lot of violent video games.)

#1 // DON’T SET RESOLUTIONS…SET GOALS

Research shows that 25% of people who make New Year’s promises give up on their “resolutions” before the end of the first week. WEAK! That means that one in four of you have already broken your resolutions. (You know who you are.) New plan: instead, write a few goals. Think of them as your 2010 to-do list. (Check out tadalist.com for a super-simple tool.) Make your goals very specific, and break those down into smaller, more easily achievable short-term goals. So, maybe you want to lose weight. Great! Now, figure out a specific plan. Maybe you want to cut soft drinks out of your diet, or go to the gym three times a week. Whatever you do, don’t have 5,000 goals…that’s crazy and overwhelming. You’re better off picking one goal and sticking with it than having 36 dozen and giving up on all of them.

Here are some worthy goals to consider:

- Start an exercise program
- Quit smoking
- Eat healthier food
- Get out of debt and stay out of it
- Be more generous with time and money

By the way, only set goals that are important to you; don’t set goals just because your family or friends expect you to.

#2 // GO PUBLIC WITH YOUR GOALS

If you only have yourself to let down—guess what? You’ll do it. All. Day. Long.

Don’t keep your goals secret. Sure, they’re personal, but they shouldn’t be private. Write your goals down. On paper. In pen. (No erasing.) Post them on the fridge, on the bathroom mirror, on your desk at school. Tattoo them on your forearm if you must. Keep them where you can see them—none of this “out of sight, out of mind” nonsense.

Next, tell your friends what you wanna do. Post your goals on your Facebook page. Tweet about ‘em. This way people can ridicule you if you pansy out and don’t accomplish them. Seriously, having the accountability and encouragement of others will go a long way toward helping you achieve your goals.

#3 // REVIEW YOUR GOALS MONTHLY

It’s important to check in and see how you are doing. You can’t work out once a month and expect to get in shape. You can’t shower once a month and expect to keep your friends. Same goes with your goals. It’s a daily thing. Step by step by step until—BOOM—you’ve accomplished it. It’s all about consistency.

If you get off track, don’t just throw up your hands and call the whole thing off. Sometimes we slip up. Let ourselves down. Binge on cupcakes. Don’t worry about it. Really. Figure out what’s working and what’s not. Figure out what needs to change. Then get back to it. Set deadlines. Reward yourself for little milestones (losing ten pounds! going one month–two months, three months–without a smoke!). As long as you keep going in the right direction, you’re doing great. Plus, good news: new habits get easier with time.

That’s it. Happy 2010. And a goat.

// josh

P.S. If you’re on Twitter, hit me up.

Advice Show 017 // Watch the Live Show on Livestream.com

josh — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:00:22 +0000

Hi. Trying something new today. Catch Advice Show 017 LIVE on HeyJosh TV over here at Livestream.com. Game on at 3:18 p.m. PST.

Yes, 3:18 p.m.

Don’t be tardy.

// josh

Advice Show 016 // Porn Addiction and Rough Relationships

josh — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:00:40 +0000

Yo, Josh Shipp here with Advice Show Episode 016. Today I’m dropping advice on Zach and Carly. Zach wrote in with vague confessions of struggling with an unnamed problem (I think I know what he’s getting at, though), and Carly’s tired of dealing with her best friend playing emotional yo-yo with her on-again off-again boyfriend. Listen closely, my friends…

Zach, to recap: you’re not alone in this struggle. More importantly, you’ll never beat this thing on your own. Ask anyone who’s tried and they’ll tell you the same thing: you need accountability, community, and support. Again, check out x3watch.com. (Btw, I’m proud of you for trying to shake the habit. It’s worth the fight.) Carly, tell your friend what she needs to hear. Ask her some deep questions, give her your honest advice, then step aside until she makes her move.

That’s my advice…so, what’s yours? Insert your two cents in the comments section below.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Katie, looking sharp. Great to have you on the show. Everyone, if you have an embarrassing childhood photo, keep ‘em coming to josh@heyjosh.com.

Advice Show 015 // Self Pity, Losing Dad, and Googling Yourself

josh — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:00:43 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving Day’s Eve, grateful young humans! Allow me to present Advice Show Episode 015 for your enjoyment and edification. Yeah, I know what you really want right now is several healthy helpings of pumpkin pie and mug of hot cider, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. (Hey, don’t blame me; I’m not cooking your dinner.) In the meantime, Jessica needs advice on helping out a friend who feels really sorry for herself and Rachelle is struggling with losing her dad and isn’t ready to handle her mom’s new boyfriend. Let’s see if we can help:

And that’s my take; I’d love to hear yours. What have YOU done to help pull people out of their pity parties? Or maybe you’ve lost a parent and can relate to Rachelle. How did you respond? What can Rachelle learn from your experience?

Keep it real, everybody.

Peace, love, and a turkey,

// josh

P.S. Priscilla, you’re photo wasn’t embarrassing. You look great, honestly. Tanline schmanline. Anyway, thanks for sending it to me; it was great to have you on the show. I hope you find a lovely prom date. The rest of you, send your actually embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com.

Advice Show 014 // Moving, Roommates, and Making Friends

josh — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:04 +0000

Salutations, young humans, and welcome to Advice Show episode 014! (“Salutations” is a fancy word for “hi,” btw.) Phyl moved to a new school/neighborhood and feels like he has no one to talk to, and Kelsey is dealing with a tense roommate situation. I sling advice their way:

So, there it is. Patience, perseverance, and evites are where it’s at when it comes to making friends. At least, I think so. What’s YOUR advice on moving, making new friends, and dealing with difficult roommates? If any of you have tried out earplugs to block out snoring so you can sleep over your roommates ruckus, let Kelsey know how that worked out for ya. Could be a lifesaver.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Rachel, thanks for the embarrassing childhood picture; sorry for the bad print job. I hope we can still be friends. The rest of you, send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com.

Advice Show 013 // Haunted Houses, Cheating Boyfriends, and Lying Friends

josh — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:00:03 +0000

Welcome to Episode 013! Zach wants to run a professional haunted house but his dad’s not exactly thrilled by the idea and Ashley’s boyfriend admits he cheated on her with her best friend (ouch)…but her friend denies it. What to do?

Glad you asked:

I’m guessing you know what’s coming next: that’s right! it’s YOUR turn. What’s your advice for Zacharia and Ashley? How would you (or have you) handled similar situations in your life?

In your face, but on your side,

// josh

P.S. This week’s embarrassing childhood photo definitely takes things to a whole new level. Dig out those photos of you from when you were an infant (or, you know, last week) where you’re trying to smile and it comes off looking more like a grimace on a scared chimpanzee. The world wants to see those pics. Send ‘em to me at josh@heyjosh.com.

Advice Show 012 // Exchanging Facebook Passwords and Joining the Navy

josh — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:00:30 +0000

Greetings young earthlings! Episode 012 here with fresh advice ripe for the harvest. A girl who calls herself “Broken Heart” suspects her boyfriend may be cheating on her and Jonathan butts heads with his dad about wanting to enlist in the military straight out of high school. I have words for both of them:

So, what’s YOUR take? As wisdom brewed from experience percolates to the surface of your mind, pour it forth! (Sometimes I like to wax poetical on you.) Bottom line: “Broken Heart” and Jonathan aren’t alone in these situations. If you can relate, let ‘em know. Your advice matters, too, ya know.

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Sarah, it was good of you and your curly childhood mullet to join me in the frame. As always, send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com. Keep it real.

Advice Show 011 // College, Goals, Pregnancy, and Truth Telling

josh — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:00:42 +0000

Episode 011! Jess wants to write a book and be an artist, but her parents think that’s waste of time and want her to go to college…but the thought of college makes Jess panic. What to do? In other email, JD and his fiance are pregnant but don’t want his parents or her grandparents to find out. I serve ‘em each a savory morsel of wisdom, so sink your teeth into this:

And now, my young apprenti (I’ve decided to make “apprenti” the plural form of “apprentice” instead of “apprentices” because, well, I think it sounds cooler), let’s hear YOUR advice for Jess and JD. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned about planning for your future and/or telling the truth even when it hurts?

Until next time,

// josh

P.S. Jaimie, thanks for sharing your toothless childhood smile with me. I found it both heartwarming and humorous. The rest of you…let’s see what you’ve got. Send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyhosh.com.

Advice Show 010 // IDENTITY, Trying New Things, and Getting Girls

josh — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:00:33 +0000

Episode 010! Let me begin with some shameless self-promotion: today (Wednesday, October 21), in exactly one hour (at 3 p.m. EST), the greatest thing I’ve ever made is going on sale over at grownups.heyjosh.com, and I’m giving away some amazing free stuff to some of the first parents, teachers, and other adults who buy it for the teens in their life (that’s you). The product is all about helping grown-ups and teens work together to address the issue of labels and identity, because figuring out who you are is THE most important thing—it’s pretty much foundational to everything else. So, my advice to you? Get your parents to buy this for you.

In other news, Mara just switched schools and feels torn between her past and her future, and former ladies’ man Chris fears he’s lost his mojo after breaking up with his girlfriend. No fear, my friends—the Owl of Wisdom and I have got your back:

Now get thee unto the comments section and sling your own advice at Mara and Chris. Share your wisdom; the world is waiting.

Again, make sure to send the grown-ups in your life to grownups.heyjosh.com with special urgent instructions to make a worthwhile investment in your life. Feel free to craft your own personal plea, or just copy and paste this EMAIL TEMPLATE. Don’t forget, first five people to get their parent to buy this thing get a special personalized video from me (we’ll talk details later), not to mention a shot at winning tons of free swag.

Rock steady,

// josh

P.S. Hey William, welcome to the frame! You earned it, buddy–that turtleneck/cardigan combo is beautiful. Keep ‘em coming, people–the more the merrier! Send your embarrassing childhood photos to josh@heyjosh.com, and you, me, and William will hang out together.

Advice Show 009 // Frienemies, Mom’s New Boyfriend, and Talking It Out

josh — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:00:54 +0000

Yo. It’s Josh Shipp, dropping in with Episode 009. Word on the street/email is Tessa’s being pestered by a pointlessly competitive, copy-cat frienemy and Alyssa’s canned emotions are causing her to distance herself from friends and family. These kind folks asked for my advice…and I kindly obliged. Behold:

Alright, young earthling—time for a little personal reflection. One way or another, I’m guessing you’ve dealt with these issues in your own life, so I’d love to hear what you’ve learned in the process (as would Tessa and Alyssa). We’ve all been on both sides of the “monkey see, monkey do” imitation game, and we’ve all canned up our emotions and made ourselves miserable. What’s YOUR solution? How have you opened up to friends and family about stuff you really didn’t want to talk about? Or, if you’ve been in Tessa’s shoes, have you ever tried to help people who annoy you and, if so, how did that worked out for you?

Pardon all the questions—I’m feeling inquisitive today, I guess. If you’d rather ask a question than answer one, that’s cool, too. Bring it on.

Later,

// josh

P.S. Hey, Kristen! It’s been good seeing you and your crazy Bubba teeth in my frame—it helps remind me to brush and floss regularly. The rest of you…I imagine I’ll be seeing your embarrassing childhood photos arriving in my email inbox any day now. Please direct your photos to josh@heyjosh.com.