The best advice is also the worst advice

Yann Girard
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

Doing more of the things you really enjoy doing is probably one of the best pieces of advice out there.

But it’s also one of the worst out there.

Because it neglects the fact that when you’re out there doing your thing, you’ll actually have to spend most of your time doing things you don’t really enjoy doing that much.

When you love yoga you can’t just be a yoga teacher.

When you want to become a writer you can’t just be a writer.

When you want to be a singer you can’t just be a singer.

When you want to be an artist you can’t just be an artist.

It just doesn’t work that way.

The way it actually works is that when you want to be able to do more of the things you really enjoy doing, you’ve gotta spend most of your time doing things you don’t really enjoy doing that much.

Especially when you’re starting out.

Things like marketing.

Or sales.

Or networking.

Or promoting yourself.

Yes, also finance.

And on and on and on.

When you want to be an author, a singer, a designer, an artist or whatnot you’re not actually an author, a singer, a designer, an artist or whatnot.

First and foremost you’ll have to be a marketer, a copywriter, a sales person and a networker.

Or no one will ever find out about you.

Only doing things you enjoy doing will get you nowhere.

Only focusing on your art won’t get you anywhere.

But doing things you might not enjoy that much, things like marketing, sales, copywriting and networking will get you everywhere.

And always remember…

The best advice is also the worst advice.


If you want to read, watch or listen to more of my stuff, please also check out Coffee (or Tea) with Yann. This post appeared first at yanngirard.typepad.com.

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Yann Girard

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I think, live & breathe here: http://yanngirard.com

Thought Pills

Handpicked thoughts about life, entrepreneurship and business for real human beings. Home to inspiring life lessons, creativity, writing and self improvement stories on Medium.

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