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Sometimes it's good to listen to the experience of others - it can save you pain. But it can also keep you in a safe and dull existence. Their circumstance may not have been exactly like yours, and who knows what wisdom you're going to get from the experience you have, good or bad? I think the key to wisdom is knowing when to take good advice and when to ignore it. Sometimes you have to touch the stove yourself to learn that it's hot.
My former boss was a good mentor. She taught me a lot, and I learned a lot more by watching her. But as time went on I realized that I didn't really want to be like her. She's very accomplished and makes a lot of difference in her job, but she's far too career-driven, she's generally miserable, and she's always stressed. When I stopped listening to her advice and started following my own path, she was understandably disappointed and we had some difficult conversations. She was giving very good advice...for someone who wanted a life just like hers. And I don't.
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"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."
- Anatole France
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