How should we take advice?

This year I have been more open to taking advice from friends and family.

My friends gave me the feedback that I am a typical hard worker and not a smart worker. They said that I need to be more proactive in finding shortcuts instead of doing things the normal way. Some friends also suggested that I come off as a very serious person, so I need to smile more.

My parents gave me feedback that I am very reserved and suggested that I socialize more. My mother told me that I have a negative approach to life and I need to change that.

I also gave myself feedback this year. I realized I need to eliminate all the things that distract me from my goal.

Taking feedback from people about myself was easy. However, I have been wondering how should I take advice about my content? Should I even take advice from people?

I feel creativity is subjective. What I find interesting may not be interesting for others. There are so many quotes like-“Creativity comes from within so don’t look for validation from others.” “Just be yourself and the world will follow”.

I thought deeply about this. First I clearly defined my motive behind posting content. My motive is to put out my raw unedited views so that I can connect with people who think the way I do.

Therefore I need to post content that resonates with me. So taking someone’s advice on the topic of my content will be a bad idea.

Secondly, I want my blogs and podcast to be viewed by a lot of people. So I definitely will need feedback on the voice quality of my podcast, whether I am speaking enthusiastically or not, if my voice modulation right etc. For my blogs I want to know if my blogs have the right flow, is the article too short or long.

I also believe that advice is people-specific.

You cannot take advice from a painter on computer engineering.

Similarly, I only take financial advice from my father and relationship advice from my mother. I cannot interchange this as my mother would not be able to give good financial advice and my father does not know how to socialize.

In conclusion, I think one must not take advice randomly as it will confusing. You must take advice from specific people about a well-defined goal.

Let me know what was the best advice you have ever got? (was it helpful?) in the comments.

Check out my podcast on Spotify-Watch Urja Hustle