This is how to tell the difference.

“Everyone sits in the prison of his own ideas; he must burst it open.”
‒Albert Einstein

Most people accept whatever advice they are given.

If someone tells them about a great tip, they jump on it.

If they hear about an idea that they like, they think it is good advice.

Most people have no system to help them determine the difference between good information and bad information. They rely on their gut, or their heart, or something else.

It may seem odd that I am giving advice and also warning about the dangers of advice. I get it. But I find it crucial to think and write about this. And I have devised a test that helps me tell the difference between good advice and bad advice.

. . .

The Event That Shook Me

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

— Abraham Lincoln

Years ago, I attended a large event that was packed with influential speakers. One of them was an author who gave advice to people about how to invest their money.

During the same timeframe, millions of people had lost large fortunes in the stock market. Many of those people had followed this particular speaker’s advice — and lost money.

During a question and answer session, someone asked this speaker how he could still teach the same lessons when thousands followed his advice (or very similar advice) and lost lots of money.

The answer from the speaker still haunts me.

It was not his fault. He just presented information. It was each individual’s responsibility to make their own money decisions.

I was shocked. This person did not really care about whether the advice he was providing was actually going to work. He took no responsibility for what happened — for giving the advice that he gave.

I learned many great principles that day. But one of best things I learned was that I had to figure how to tell the difference between good and bad advice — before my money, time, or life was on the line.

. . .

Watch Out for This Type of Advice

“It is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human intellect to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives; whereas it ought properly to hold itself indifferently disposed towards both alike.”

— Francis Bacon

How many times do we hear something and immediately agree with it?

Does our agreement make it true?

Sadly, no. Or at least, not necessarily.

I have noticed this in myself. When I am reading a book, and I immediately agree with a statement, then I tend to like the book (and the author) more.

But does this confirmation of our own thoughts reveal the truth, or our own bias? Could we be confirming something that is not even correct?

Rule: any advice that confirms my own beliefs is suspect. It does not mean the advice is bad. I just need to use heightened scrutiny.

. . .

The Good Speaker Epiphany

“The real poetry and beauty in life comes from an intense relationship with reality in all its aspects.”
 — Robert Greene

I have attended many events with speakers who talk about leadership. And I have heard some of the most amazing speakers.

But one discussion I had with another person taught me a great lesson.

I was speaking with another person who heard a speaker who was really good. The speaker did a fantastic job.

But the person next to me made a comment that I will never forget:

“Wow, that speaker was incredible. He is such a great leader.”

Notice that the person said “great leader” and not “great speaker.”

How would someone know if the speaker were a great leader unless you actually were led by that person?

There is a difference between being a great public speaker and being a great leader. And just because someone is a great public speaker does not mean that the person is a great leader — even if the speech is about leadership.

Rule: don’t confuse speaking skill (or writing) with the substantive skill underneath. Being good at one thing does not make someone an expert at everything else.

. . .

Dig Deeper in this Advice

“No one knows anything, without good data.”

The best principles come from people with good data.

I attempted to describe what that means in a previous article, which you can read here.

In summary, the best information is supported by well-reasoned information or well-earned experience.

The best advice is from people with specific results.

Rule: no one knows anything without good data.

. . .

Results Matter

“We feel noble intentions should be checked periodically against results.”

— Warren Buffett

Most people do not share stories about what has worked… because not much has worked!

Avoid the confirmation trap: results matter.

• Not too long ago, I faced a problem that I could not solve on my own. So I asked half a dozen people how to solve that problem. I received a few answers that I thought were pretty good. I tried all of the advice, but none of it worked. Then, I happened to be talking with a friend and mentor of mine who had actually solved this exact problem. I asked, again, for advice on that same problem. The answer was different from all of the others. But this time the advice worked perfectly. The other people I asked had never solved my exact problem. Results matter.

• I used to compare myself physically to other people that I knew or saw online. I used to take nutrition and fitness advice from people who had never solved my exact health issues. I stopped being impressed by teenagers and people in their early-20s who were ripped. I started looking for the 40-year old ripped guy for nutrition and health advice. I wanted to learn from someone who had the similar issues that I faced — and solved them. In other words, results matter.

• For many years, I listened to many people who state that you should look for what makes you happy, and then do that. I went to film school. I found jobs that fit my interests. All of this made sense to me because that advice confirmed my current thinking. Yet good advice changed that line of thinking around ten years ago. Even though I never thought that being a lawyer would make me happy, I went to law school anyway because someone who had been down that road gave me great advice. The reality: going to law school has given me so many opportunities now that lead to more satisfaction than I ever had before. Don’t be trapped by bad advice. Look for results first.

. . .

Results Over Intentions

“Intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best from you.”
 — Andy Andrews

Most people look at the intentions of the person giving the advice rather than the results of the person giving the advice.

Good intentions are admirable. But not definitive.

For your life, it is not enough to rely on good intentions. Require more for your decisions. Demand more for your life.

1. Accountable. Don’t be trapped by the advice of someone who doesn’t take personal responsibility for their own advice.

2. Confirmation Bias. Be more discerning about advice that confirms your own thinking.

3. Communicators. Don’t confuse communication skills with the actual advice that is communicated.

4. Good Data. Remember: no one knows anything without good data.

5. Results. Good intentions are not enough, because results matter.

Good luck. It’s a jungle out there.

. . .

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