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Success Advice

5 of the Worst Pieces of Advice and How to Understand Them Better

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Ever noticed how easy it is to offer advice? You go to Google, find an inspiring quote and share it with your struggling friend. Yes, it’s well-meaning help, but sometimes it does more harm than good. 

In this post, we will dive deeper into some of the most popular pieces of advice out there that you should forget about. Without further ado, let’s separate the wheat from the chaff:

1. Follow your passion

Let’s be honest, this is one of the trendy cliche pieces of advice you will get or even give to a friend or colleague. It goes something like this, “Find your passion and you don’t have to work a day in your life.”

It’s true that most of the successful people pursue something they are passionate about, right? The problem though, is the unlucky majority who didn’t succeed after pursuing their passions. We don’t hear a lot about this group, but instead magnify the minority who are victorious and assume that passion is the miracle drug for success.

Yes, your passion is important but you have to dig deeper. You have to look at the reality of things such as what are the available opportunities, what is the competition out there, do l have the resources and if so, what’s the plan?

In other words, you have to identify the best match for your passion and the opportunities out there. Find that sweet spot, be prepared to grind and you will be on your way to success.

2. Never give up

You’ve heard this advice a million times. On the surface it’s well-meaning advice, but if we dig deeper there are flaws in it. 

Life is a journey, and along the way there will be decisions to make, some will be successful but others will be dramatic failures. In the process of trying to make things work, we overstay when we should have packed our bags and left.

For instance, banging your head on a concrete wall to crack it seems absurd, but that’s what happens sometimes in life. Continuous pounding on the wall will only shatter your skull and escalate your pain. Being stubbornly persistent in this scenario will not yield positive results, but more suffering.

You can quit using your head but not give up on the concrete wall. Instead, you can use a sledge hammer and burst a hole through the concrete. In other words, It’s about quitting the things that don’t work out.

Knowing when to pack and leave won’t be easy. Having a trusted inner circle can help you through because you already trust their feedback. It could mean the light to a blindspot you didn’t know you had.

Leave it behind, pack the lessons with you and move on to something else. It won’t feel great to fold up but sometimes it’s the best decision. Just understand that not everything will work and sometimes some ideas are better killed or abandoned. So yes, it’s okay to give up, but don’t give up on trying something new or different.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” – Abraham Lincoln  

3. Good things only come to those that wait

We live in a fast-paced society but unfortunately our staying power is on a downward spiral. And what’s worse? The few that have it are infected with a disease called passive patience. This is where someone sits around doing nothing expecting success to magically knock on their door. It’s a pipe dream and you will only waste your life away.

On the other hand, there is active patience. This is where you’re still hopeful of achieving success but instead, take action to pursue your dreams. Yes you’re patient, but you also understand that you have an active role to play in the grand scheme of things.

Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and do what needs to be done because it’s the best way to be patient with your success.

4. You are perfect just the way you are

Let’s be honest, nobody has every dimension of their life completely figured out. Everyone has an area they are struggling with. Look at it this way: If you’re perfect, it means you’re not growing but stagnating instead. That’s not what you want. You want to keep challenging yourself by growing your skills or even chasing new dreams because that’s how we grow.

In other words, at any single point in life we will be both perfect and imperfect. There’s beauty in that because we are all a work in progress. So, don’t beat yourself up, be kind instead, and keep going.

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.” – Paulo Coelho

5. You can do anything that you put your mind to

What if you wanted to a 12ft tall man? Would putting your mind into it help? You guessed it, not a chance. You see, not everyone can be a nobel prize winner or even a world-class athlete. What you should understand is that your uniqueness qualifies you to excel in certain areas in life. No, you don’t have to bury your ambition and live on auto-pilot.

Make peace with the fact that your ambitions will change as you go through life. There’s a chance that in a decade you will be aiming at a totally different thing from what you’re pursuing right now.

In short, before you offer advice, take your time and think through it. It may take time but at least you will have saved a colleague from the heartache that comes with bad advice. Your friends trust you so at least do your part by being careful when offering them some of the above advice. It’s not too much to ask for the sake of that treasured friendship. Can you handle it?

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Share it with us below!

Edwin Warui is a Content Marketer on a grand mission to help businesses create magnetic content that inspires and builds trust with their audience. If you’re tired of boring content, click this link and get in touch with me - https://writer.me/edwin-warui/.

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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