Advice often overshadows the importance of taking action. A story about Mozart illustrates that while questioning and seeking guidance may seem useful, personal experience and experimentation are paramount in achieving results. The tendency to accumulate advice can lead to procrastination, diverting focus from the necessary steps of trying, learning, and adapting. Emphasizing the need to prioritize action, it is essential to take advice when it is beneficial but to always follow up with decisive action and continuous adjustment to achieve true progress.
I recently had a long conversation with a young man in his mid-20s who was unhappy with his standing in life—feeling behind, lost, without a clear vision for the future. We've all been there at different times.
The conversation caused me to reflect on the honest advice I'd give to that younger, lost version of myself to help expedite his journey to the other side.
This essay shares 11 pieces of brutally honest advice to my lost younger self.