When it comes to advice, we're either looking for it or listening to it. (Comstock)

A penny for your thoughts? How about a piece of my mind?

When it comes to advice, we're either looking for it or listening to it.

And today's tough times compel us now more than ever to reach out for it, according to international life coach Joshua Zuchter.

"North America has one of the most overworked societies and sometimes people need to let go," says Zucher, adding has seen a recent spike in the number of clients from as far away as Japan seeking his Toronto-based service.

It's natural to seek help when we feel our lives have gone off the rails.

Though as much as we long for a black-and-white answer to whatever grieves us, there are often too many variables to decipher right and wrong.

We seek the counsel of total strangers about personal issues, says Zucher, often because we feel "betrayed" that those closest to us will judge us for the problems we are going through.

Everyone is in need of advice, from grandmas to teenagers: Zuchter says he has clients from age 14 to 72.

Whether we choose to take advice offered is moot — sometimes we just needed someone to listen to us, let our words float free and clear of our conscious before dissipating into anonymity.

That's why we're always either looking for that proverbial shoulder to cry on — or offering one up.

Like wisdom, advice is universal. Those who dish it out advice generally have one commong principle: Stay true to yourself.

What do people ask most frequently? Here are some timeless bestsellers, courtesy of experience and Zuchter:

1. I am overwhelmed with my job and the current state of the economy. What should I do to de-stress?

2. My mother-in-law still thinks her son/daughter still lives at home. How can I change this without hurting anyone?

3. I am trying to move on from a separation/divorce. How do I put it behind me?

4. I need some external, non-judgmental feedback from a third-party. Can you tell me what am I doing wrong?

5. My parents don't want me to marry someone outside of my culture. How can I convince them?

6. Is there a way for me to get my spark back?

7. How can I strike the right balance between family, work and lifestyle commitments?

8. I thought I could change him/her after we got married. Is it too late?

9. Why doesn't he call? Or why did she give me the wrong number?

10. I have started to question my purpose in life. What should I be doing?

— with files by Ayoub Ansari

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