The Sneaky Thing That Is Distracting Most People

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, CNN, ABC, FOX, the podcast you listened in the car, the sci-fi book you read, etc. etc. etc.These are all media from which we consume "content."Many people really seem to like the content of truisms, idioms, platitudes, or just plain old "sayings."

The trouble with "sayings" is that without context, they don't mean anything.

This is a platitude.It's just like a horoscope.

It could apply to anyone at any point in their lives.

Without context, it's hard to say "that's not true."Without context, it's hard to know how to empathize with the idea and understand it.Without context, it's downright impossible to not be confused by outright contradictions!

Here are some examples of what I mean:

"Good things come to those who wait."and"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."Or how about:"Better late than never."and"The early bird gets the worm."

Do you get my point?

It's impossible to vet any of this as useful without knowing to what the statement is referring.It's fluff.It's filler.

It's a pointless distraction and most people are falling for it.

At the moment, we are living in the Information Age, where it's up to us to calibrate our "B.S. detectors."Keeping context in mind is a huge part of the battle.If you want to understand people, make an impact, or move in the direction of your dreams, you're going to need to bring context into view.

2 Minute Action

What is one information source you use daily?Today, as you go through your routine, consider where "information" on this medium is coming from.It only takes an extra second--not even two minutes--to ask yourself:"Is this true in other cases?""Would this always apply to other parts of my life?""When does this not apply?"

1 Game Changing Rule Before You Take Advice

I think we can agree that most people like to talk.Then there’s a smaller group of people who like to take their experiences and pay them forward to novices in the field so they may advance further and faster.The 1 game changing rule we each have to remember about advice is that it’s almost always going to be well intentioned but slightly wrong.Not right, not wrong—just slightly wrong.Regardless of whether this advisor wants to adequately inform you or just sound impressive, their entire worldview, shaped over a lifetime is the lens through which their advice comes.

Consider the context before you absorb the content.

And be wary: so much of advice is just “here are the 8 numbers I used to win the lottery.”Unless you are identical in DNA and in worldview, you’re going to hear and see things slightly differently.You have no choice but to follow your gut.

2 Minute Action:

When receiving advice, ask yourself: does the person giving me advice have the kind of lifestyle, moral compass, and skill set I would like to have?Also, if your advisor does most of the talking, they aren’t getting enough time to really understand your problem and provide a solution.Kinda strange to write this post advising on how to receive advice.Feedback and criticisms welcome.What’s some really good or bad advice you’ve gotten?