6 Dumb Advice That’s Holding You Back

Don’t Fall for These Unsuccessful People’s Advice, Unlock Your True Potential Instead!

Judah Owolabi
ILLUMINATION
4 min readApr 12, 2023

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Photo by recep-bg on istockphotos

Are you tired of hearing advice that’s holding you back from reaching your goals? Have you been given guidance that seems counterintuitive or outdated? In this article, we’ll dive into six dumb pieces of advice that unsuccessful people often give and how they can hinder your success.

From dismissing the importance of education to discouraging hobbies and creativity, these misguided suggestions can have a detrimental impact on your life. Let’s break them down one by one and uncover the truth behind them.

Advice #1 — “Don’t bother pursuing education, it’s not necessary for success.”

Education is often undervalued by some, who argue that it’s not necessary for success. While it’s true that formal education may not be required for every career path, it plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.

Enrolling in a university or pursuing relevant educational opportunities can provide you with valuable knowledge, skills, and networks. For example, if you aspire to become a doctor, skipping formal education would not be a wise choice.

Education opens up opportunities, broadens horizons, and equips you with the foundation needed to excel in your chosen field.

Advice #2 — “Don’t waste your time on hobbies or creative pursuits.”

Hobbies and creative pursuits are often dismissed as time-wasting activities. However, they are essential for personal growth, well-being, and even career opportunities.

Being creative is a fundamental human gift that allows us to express ourselves and explore new possibilities. Just look at successful entrepreneurs like MrBeast, who turned his creativity into a thriving career by creating content online.

Hobbies and creative pursuits can also enhance your problem-solving skills, boost your mental health, and provide you with a sense of fulfillment.

Advice #3 — “Just follow the traditional career path.”

Unsuccessful people may advise you to conform to societal expectations and follow traditional career paths, such as becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, regardless of your interests and passions.

However, it’s important to pursue a career that aligns with your strengths and aspirations. Blindly following traditional career paths without considering your unique interests can lead to dissatisfaction and unfulfilled potential.

It’s crucial to identify your passions and strengths and pursue a career that aligns with them, even if it deviates from traditional norms.

Advice #4 — “Don’t worry about your online presence or personal branding.”

In today’s digital age, your online presence and personal branding can significantly impact your life and career.

Building a positive online presence, showcasing your skills, and maintaining a professional image can be beneficial for career advancement.

Just look at Khaby Lame, who gained millions of followers on TikTok after being fired from his job during the pandemic.

Your online presence can open doors to new opportunities and help you establish yourself as an expert in your field. Ignoring the importance of personal branding can be a costly mistake in today’s competitive landscape.

Advice #5 — “Don’t take risks, play it safe.”

Unsuccessful people may advise you to avoid taking risks and stick to what’s safe and familiar. However, calculated risks are often necessary for growth and success.

Assessing risks carefully and being willing to step out of your comfort zone can lead to significant opportunities. Playing it safe may keep you in a comfortable bubble, but it can also limit your potential for growth and achievement.

It’s important to be strategic and willing to take calculated risks to achieve your goals.

Advice #6 — “Networking is not important, just focus on your work”

Building a strong professional and personal network is crucial in today’s world. Networking can provide you with valuable resources, mentors, and opportunities.

Don’t underestimate the power of networking and building meaningful connections with others in your pursuit of success.

Conclusion

Be mindful of the advice you receive and critically evaluate whether it aligns with your goals and aspirations. Don’t let dumb advice from unsuccessful people hinder your success.

Embrace education, creativity, calculated risks, and networking as important elements in your journey toward achieving your goals and reaching new heights of success.

Thanks for sticking around and reading this far! If you enjoyed my content and want more, feel free to follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter.

And if you have any burning questions or just want to say hi, don’t be shy—slide into my DMs.

Until next time, keep smiling and spreading the good vibes!

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Judah Owolabi
ILLUMINATION

I Write about Personal Development and Finance. You can reach me here judahowolabi@gmail.