"Dedicate yourself to giving" — Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran's advice for someone who is "lost" in their life

Barbara Corcoran, a seasoned entrepreneur with over five decades of experience, has been a key investor on the ABC show Shark Tank for 13 seasons. In a recent interview, she offered advice for others who are dealing with challenges she once faced, reflecting on her personal experiences.

In a December 15, 2024, interview with Sprouht, Barbara discussed the topic of people getting "lost" in their lives. She advised that instead of dwelling in their sorrow, they should dedicate themselves to helping others in need. She noted that this would help them heal.

"If somebody's really lost, I think the best solution for that is finding people who are less advantageous than you are. Find someone less advantages than you have and dedicate yourself to giving," Corcoran said.

---

Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran advises on leaving past labels

During her Sprouht interview, Barbara Corcoran was asked to share three questions that someone who feels lost should ask themselves to get their life back on track.

"If I was trying to figure my life out or piece it together. Think about someone who is dissatisfied with where they are at in life and they want to take the next step. What are three questions I could ask myself that would lead me towards those answers?" the host asked.

Barbara explained that individuals feeling lost should first identify the "tape" attached to their heads. She added that this metaphorical tape represents the beliefs and messages we internalize from a young age. The crucial step, she emphasized, is recognizing these influences and then removing them to move forward.

"I had a tap on my head that said; 'You shouldn't be here. You won't do it". A lot of negative stuff. And I changed it to; 'Barbara, you're f*cking amazing'. Every time I purposely kick it in: 'Barbara, you're f*cking amazing'. That puts my head in the right place," she added.

Her second piece of advice for people who felt lost was to find people who have fewer advantages than them and dedicate time to support them.

The Shark Tank investor believed that if a person is constantly "giving" in life, then they would find themselves "wrapped up" in their thoughts. They would feel sorry for themself and would have the feeling of "not getting ahead in life."

"I think if you give like they say, it's a cliche of course where you get... But it's really true, I have seen so many people turn themselves around by getting not focused on them, but getting focused on the next guy. People are self-involved and it can be a very negative spiral," she added.

Later in the interview, Barbara shared her opinions on marriage and love, noting that it was "more challenging than building a business any day of the week." The Shark Tank star added that, in her view, marriage requires "great tolerance" and can often become monotonous. She described it as a relationship that offers crucial support during difficult times.

When the host asked her to define love, she said that it was all about "staying loyal."

"Staying loyal. Staying loyal to your children, your husband, your family, your friends. When you're thinking poorly of them, just stick it out, shut your mouth, stay loyal and listen to them. No, I think that's important," the Shark Tank investor said.

---

Shark Tank season 16 episodes air every Friday on ABC.