Good and Bad Advice: How To Know the Difference

How do you discern good advice from bad advice? Here are some ideas.

I.

There are two types of advice you are going to get.

The first type is about making peace with the status quo.

The second type is about rebelling against the status quo.

For example, when you hate your job, person A might tell you to think happy thoughts and focus on your hobbies.

Person B might tell you that a 9 to 5 can never make you happy and that you should start your own business.

The first type of advice is more common. It's what most people opt for. It alleviates their fear.

The second type is scary. Few people go through with it. But when they do, they experience breakthroughs.

II.

Assuredness is seductive.

When we meet someone who seems to have all the answers, we are likely to take their advice.

They project the clarity we wish we felt. Hence the appeal of demagogs and religious gurus.

But life is not straightforward. It's messy. If you want better answers, listen to those who talk about nuances.

III.

We are all blind to ourselves but highly perceptive when it comes to others.

For example, when I have to make a decision about my own business, I often struggle. I am too close to it.

But when it comes to other people's businesses? Easy-peasy! One look and I'll tell them what they have been missing.

That's why it can be a good idea to get external input. They might see things you don't.

IV.

An advisor can only teach you what worked for them.

Also, even the most well-meaning advisor doesn't care about you like you care about yourself. It's not their life.

You can and you should get advice. But never blindly follow it. In the end, you must be the judge.

What is the best advice you have ever gotten? What is the worst? Let me know! I love to hear from subscribers and reply to every message.

Until next week,

Niels