Is Advice Always Actionable?

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We are surrounded by advice. There is advice in written columns and books. There is advice we get from professionals and from friends. Advice comes to us from the internet and other media.

Some advice is given as a list of “try this,” “helpful hints,” or subtly couched as a “should.” Other advice comes with more information and guidance.

What do we know about the response to different types of advice? When does it produce action, and when does it just fall by the wayside? When advice falls short, is there anything that can be done to make it more effective?

Let’s zero in on advice to make lifestyle changes that involve losing weight and exercising more. In a sense, this kind of advice is ubiquitous. In many cases, the idea behind the advice is sound. Science shows us again and again that there are health risks associated with being overweight and not getting enough exercise. Indeed, many people know they “should” watch their weight and exercise for their health.

The Potpourri That Is Advice

Advice for losing weight and exercising can be all over the map.

A study (2009) indicated that when doctors give advice to lose weight, the most frequent accompanying advice was to increase physical activity, reduce fast food consumption, reduce portion sizes, and reduce consumption of sodas. It is not clear if additional information about those changes was provided. Referrals to a dietician or an outside program were not common.

Another study (2014) based on a large survey found that, of people who were ready to lose weight, most preferred to do so on their own rather than use weight-related care.

This information is consistent with other studies indicating that at least half of people seeking medical advice would prefer to get it from the people closest to them, i.e., their friends. This shows that, in many cases, people are valuing closeness over experience and expertise.

Being ready to receive advice is another issue. Only about half of the people surveyed who showed weight-related health risks reported being ready to lose weight. Some did not feel the need to do so, and some were not aware of the health risks.

Interestingly, people in this same survey trusted dieticians above other health professionals to help with weight loss issues. Psychologists were at the bottom of the list for being perceived as effective in managing weight loss and exercise issues. It is interesting that many people did not think of behavior change as a psychological issue.

The Need for Psychology

Reading or listening to advice is something that may get you started along the road. It can also open the door to considering courses of action that you may not have thought of.

For example, many media programs or written columns use their voice to elaborate on advice. There can be clarifications of the issues surrounding weight loss, exercise, and health. Effective options can be introduced. There may be a deep dive into “how to” take effective actions.

This approach can be invaluable for people who may be facing overwhelm or lack of information. Additionally, this kind of empowerment can help people take responsibility for the issue, become curious, and then step up to the challenge with more information on board.

And yet, there are a few other missing pieces. One is individualizing the process, and the other is supporting individual psychological needs.

One way to do that is with motivational interviewing. Motivational interviewing applies psychological principles and theories to the process of working with clients.

Motivational interviewing is based on supporting the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Additionally, it uses the transtheoretical model of readiness for change to identify where the person falls on the continuum. The program makes adjustments based on whether a person is in pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, or maintenance.

Studies comparing the effectiveness of motivational interviewing over other interventions indicate that motivational interviewing gets better results. Motivational interviewing establishes an empathetic bond with the client, which can develop the closeness that people are looking for when it comes to following advice. Importantly, motivational interviewing is a process of individualizing the change process so that specific challenges can be flushed out and addressed.

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In a Nutshell

1. If the advice given is a simple list of things to do without elaborating on the strategies or skills needed, it can fall short.
2. Advice given in books or written columns may be effective if it is accompanied by accurate information. Raising awareness of health issues and exploring options can be instrumental in reaching those who are in various stages of readiness to change.
3. The next step would be developing strategies and skills and gathering the information necessary to make lasting changes. Even so, strategies, skills, and information can only go so far. We all have emotional issues and stumbling blocks that we need help with and support for. Addressing those issues and blocks can provide the underpinnings for following advice successfully.