3 Types of Bad Advice That Can Sabotage Your Goals (And How to Identify Them)
For years, I’ve been diving into personal development, career growth, and business strategy—basically trying to figure out how to do life better. I’ve consumed countless hours of content, taken classes, and learned from both success and failure. Through it all, one lesson stands out: not all advice is good advice. In fact, bad advice can act as an anchor, holding you back from achieving your goals.
Let me share three big lessons I’ve picked up about spotting and dodging bad advice, inspired by a powerful quote from Alex Hormozi: “Don’t take advice from those who are closest to you; take advice from those who are closest to your goals.” This idea transformed how I evaluate advice and ultimately helped me stay on track toward my ambitions.
Here’s the deal on three types of bad advice and how you can dodge them.
1. Beware the Resignation Mindset
You’ve probably heard it before: “That’s just what happens when you get older.” Or, “It’s time to slow down.” While these phrases might sound harmless, they often reflect a dangerous resignation mindset—the idea that certain challenges are inevitable and beyond your control. This mindset can erode your belief in your ability to shape your life.
Let’s talk about physical health for a second. I’ve had moments when my body ached more, and flexibility became harder. It would have been easy to chalk it up to aging and give up. Instead, I reassessed my habits: improved my diet, drank more water, and got serious about going to the gym. Those changes proved that many of the things people resign themselves to are actually within their control.
How to Reframe Resignation Advice
Ask yourself: Is this really inevitable, or is it a reflection of someone else’s choice to stop trying? The story of the donkey in the well illustrates this beautifully. When a farmer decided to bury his old donkey in a well, the donkey didn’t give up. Instead, it shook off each shovelful of dirt and used it to climb out. Life will throw dirt at you, but you can choose to let it bury you or use it to rise higher.
2. Consider the Credibility of the Source
Not all advice is created equal, and the credibility of the source matters immensely. Would you take financial advice from a broke uncle or fitness tips from someone out of shape? Probably not. Yet, with the rise of social media, “gurus” often appear credible without the expertise to back it up.
Two Parts to Credibility
Experience and Qualifications: Ensure the person giving advice has real-world experience and success in the area they’re advising on. For example, if someone gives you investment advice, ask: Do they have a track record of successful investments?
Sweeping Statements: Watch out for absolute advice like, “Never do this,” or, “You’ll always fail if you try that.” Often, these statements stem from someone’s personal failure rather than objective truth. For example, a friend once warned me against real estate investing because he lost money. However, I’ve seen others thrive in the same field. His advice reflected his personal experience, not universal wisdom.
How to Evaluate Advice
Ask these questions:
Does this person have the experience to back up their claims?
Are their statements reflective of personal bias or objective insight?
Would someone closer to your goals give the same advice?
3. Identify Who Benefits From the Advice
Now, this one can be pretty sneaky. Sometimes, advice that sounds helpful is given for selfish reasons. Loved ones, in particular, might encourage paths that make them feel good rather than aligning with your goals.
For example, millennials like me often hear, “Go to school, get a good job, and you’ll be set for life.” While well-intentioned, this advice often reflects outdated expectations or a desire to brag about your achievements, rather than what’s best for you. Good intentions don’t always equal good advice.
How to Detect Self-Serving Advice
Reflect on the intention behind the advice:
Is it about you achieving your goals, or does it primarily serve someone else’s pride or comfort?
Does the advice align with your long-term vision for your life?
The Path Forward
Good advice comes from those who understand your goals and have the experience to guide you toward them. Here are a few final tips:
Seek Mentors: Find people who are a few steps ahead of you on the path you want to take. They’re often more accessible and can provide actionable insights.
Ask Questions: Instead of blindly following advice, dig deeper. What’s the reasoning behind it? How does it align with your priorities?
Take Accountability: At the end of the day, you’re responsible for your choices. Even bad advice can teach you valuable lessons if you approach it critically.
Share Your Story
Have you ever received bad advice that you regret following? Or maybe advice that completely changed your perspective? Share your experience in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you.
As someone passionate about personal development, I’ll continue to share insights and lessons from my journey. Together, we can navigate the noise and find clarity on the path to our goals. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one!