The 5 Worst Pieces of Advice I Ever Received
The thing about advice is that it's not always reliable. A lot of the time, people say things without properly considering the consequences or how their advice will be used by those who receive it. If you're looking for a good piece of advice, look somewhere else!
I'm a big believer in following your dreams, but I'm also a realist. I've had some of the most influential people in my life tell me that they'd love to see me pursue my passions, but they were worried about the practicalities of making those dreams realities. Before we get into the specifics, let's just say that not all advice is created equal - and sometimes what you think will help you can actually set you back if you're not careful. Below are five pieces of advice I've received over the years that have resulted in setbacks for me personally or have led others astray who have taken them as gospel (or at least acted upon them).
Follow Your Dreams
What I've learned is that you should NOT follow your dreams.
There, I said it.
Here's why:
- Dreams are a very important part of one's life and should be nurtured, but they can also be dangerous when taken too seriously.
- If you have a dream, do not blindly pursue it just because someone told you to do so or because it's what makes you happy; instead think about whether or not this dream is actually realistic for yourself and those around you. For example, if someone dreams about becoming an astronaut but has no scientific background or interest in science whatsoever then maybe that isn't the best choice for them! Likewise if a person has always wanted to become an astronaut but they have zero interest in math or science then again maybe they should reconsider their prospects as an astronaut (or scientist). Instead of pursuing something just because "it feels right" try thinking about why exactly it feels right and then consider whether there are any other options out there which might be better suited towards fulfilling those same needs while also taking into consideration other factors like financials/time constraints etc… This may seem obvious since these points were already brought up above when discussing how dreams aren't necessarily compatible with reality at times but I thought I'd include them here since some people might not realize how important these considerations can be when looking at whether or not pursuing one particular path would involve too much risk compared with other paths available."
Take a Shot
There are certain pieces of advice that should never be taken. Not because they're bad, but because they contradict some other piece of advice you've already been given, and then your entire foundation crumbles. The best example I can think of is "take a shot," which is basically saying: "You know what will make everything better? Alcohol."
- Take one shot! It might be your lucky day! The worst thing that could happen is that you get drunk and forget what was bothering you in the first place. So why don't I just take two shots? Or three? Why not six? Why not seven more than seven?
- Don't take a shot! You might hurt yourself or others around you. There's also a chance that if someone gives me alcohol right now I will spontaneously combust into flames and die - or worse yet, become an alcoholic after only one drink (because that's how things work). This would be terrible because being an alcoholic means always having to go through withdrawal every time I want something non-alcoholic like water or food; getting headaches from dehydration when hungover; feeling guilty about wasting money on things like groceries or rent when all my friends buy beer with their paychecks instead; missing out on opportunities for promotions at work because everyone thinks I'm too lazy; having my kids taken away from me by social services due to neglect or abuse…
Give Up Your Dream Job
"You have to give up your dream job."
This was one of the first pieces of advice that I received when I began my journey into the world of writing. The person who told me this was talking about a different field than writing, but the sentiment is still worth mentioning. Don't give up on your dreams, no matter how big or small they seem at first. You may not be able to make them happen right away, but don't let them go completely! You'll regret it if you do.
Don't be afraid to try and fail; it's better than never trying at all! If there's anything we learned from Michael Jordan, it's that you can set your goal higher than anyone else thinks possible and still reach it with hard work and determination (and maybe some help). And if things don't work out exactly as planned? No problem! At least now you know what doesn't work - and now even more motivated because failure isn't an option anymore! Just keep trying until something sticks; chances are good there will eventually be success along with all those failed attempts along the way too
Take the Job Without Asking Any Questions
Rule #1: Take the job without asking any questions.
I once had a really bad interview experience where I was asked to do an on-site interview at my potential employer's office and I was so nervous that I didn't even ask half of the questions that should have been top of mind for me.
This sounds like common sense but we all get caught up in the moment sometimes, especially when you're excited about a new opportunity or afraid of rejection or whatever else may be going through your head at the time. You might not know exactly how much experience you need for this role, what kind of work environment you're walking into or any number of other things that could affect your decision making process.
Carefully Think Through Your Options
- You'll know when you're ready.
- Take your time and make sure you do the right thing.
What if I told you that this isn't always true? That's because advice is often given without context or any real understanding of a person's situation. It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of emotions surrounding a big decision, especially when it has life-changing potential. But what if we took some time to step back and look at our options from a different perspective? For example:
- Maybe there are other problems at play here besides just "being stuck."
- Maybe there are resources available that might help us make the better choice for ourselves and others involved in making this decision (like talking with friends who may have been through similar situations).
Don't listen to advice from randos!
The thing about advice is that it's not always reliable. A lot of the time, people say things without properly considering the consequences or how their advice will be used by those who receive it.
If you're looking for a good piece of advice, look somewhere else!
The best place to get an idea of what kinds of things work and don't work is by talking to people who are in your shoes. For example, if you're trying to lose weight but keep gaining it back after every attempt at dieting, talk to other people who have lost weight and kept it off successfully (or even failed miserably). If someone tells you not to listen to an expert because they weren't expertly trained in something themselves (like myself), listen instead! They know more than most experts because they've lived through the same experiences as us non-experts do on a daily basis - which means we can learn from them!
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you see the value in listening to yourself and taking your own advice. You can learn from other people's experiences, but don't forget that every situation is different and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to life.
PS: Hi! I am a freelance writer with a passion for writing. I am open to most genres, but my primary expertise is in content and blog writing. If you would like to discuss any upcoming projects please feel free to contact me by email at [email protected]
About the Creator
Courtanae Heslop
Courtanae Heslop is a multi-genre writer and business owner.



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