Why 99% of Advice Is Toxic—and How to Identify the 1% That Will Change Your Life Forever

Success has a strange way of drawing out unsolicited advice.

The moment you achieve a valuable outcome—whether it’s:

Crushing your fitness goals
Building a business
Attaining time + location + financial freedom
Or cultivating meaningful relationships

there’s a universal phenomenon that unfolds.

People with zero relevant experience or results suddenly emerge, eager to tell you how to:

Maintain your fitness
Interact with your GF(s)
Run your business
Or spend your money.

It’s not just ironic – it’s downright absurd.

Why?

Because if they really knew how to do any of it, they’d have the results themselves.

This article is about ignoring that noise.

It’s about staying grounded in what works and understanding why the advice of the inexperienced is not just irrelevant—it’s often harmful.

Let’s dive into why this phenomenon happens and how to handle it without getting distracted.

Table of Contents

The Phenomenon: Why Unqualified People Give Advice

At the heart of this issue lies human psychology.

When you succeed in something, it shines a spotlight on others’ shortcomings.

For those who haven’t put in the effort or faced their own challenges, your success can feel like a mirror reflecting their inadequacies.

Here are the main reasons why people without results feel compelled to offer advice:

Ego Protection
By offering advice, they create the illusion that they could achieve the same results—if they really tried. It’s easier for their ego to believe they have wisdom to share than to admit they lack the discipline, knowledge, or drive to achieve similar outcomes.
Projection of Insecurities
When someone tells you how to run your business or interact with your partner, they’re often projecting their own insecurities onto you. Their “advice” is less about helping you and more about making themselves feel better.
Desire for Relevance
Seeing someone succeed can make others feel irrelevant. Offering advice is a way for them to insert themselves into your narrative, even if their contributions lack substance.
Cultural Conditioning
Society often equates talking with expertise. Some people genuinely believe their opinions are valid, even when their track record says otherwise.

Common Scenarios and How to Handle Them

Let’s break down the most common areas where unsolicited advice tends to rear its head:

1. Fitness Advice

The moment you start seeing gains or leaning out, suddenly everyone’s a fitness guru.

Your overweight uncle might suggest you stop “lifting so heavy” because it’s “bad for your joints.”

A friend who hasn’t worked out in years might question your diet or recommend skipping leg day.

Reality Check:

If they had the results you’re striving for, you might consider their input.

Otherwise, smile + nod and keep doing what’s proven to work.

Your regimen is based on:

Research
Discipline
And results

not opinions.

Action Plan:

Ignore advice unless it comes from someone with a body or performance level you respect.
Stay focused on your training program and goals, refining based on evidence and expert guidance.

2. Relationship Advice

Whether you’re dating a bad bitch or managing a fulfilling relationship, the critics will appear.

They’ll tell you how you should communicate, try to instigate drama, or criticize your partner’s:

Looks
Behavior
Or intentions.

Reality Check:

Most of these people are either:

Cucked
Have no game
Or are stuck in toxic relationships.

Their advice stems from their own unresolved issues, not from a place of wisdom.

Action Plan:

Evaluate the source: Do they have the level of game you aspire to have? If not, disregard their input.
Trust your instincts and the dynamics you’ve built with your partner(s).

3. Business Advice

When your business starts gaining traction—whether it’s:

Growing revenue
Building a loyal customer base
Or gaining recognition

armchair entrepreneurs come out to play.

Suddenly, people with zero experience in your industry have ideas about:

Scaling
Branding
Or operations

just because they’ve watched a few episodes of “Shark Tank”.

Reality Check:

If they’ve never run a business, their advice is theoretical at best and harmful at worst.

The business world rewards:

Action
Experience
And resilience

not theory.

Action Plan:

Listen only to those with a proven track record in business.
Surround yourself with mentors and peers who have achieved what you’re aiming for.

4. Financial Advice

Success often brings financial rewards, and with it comes advice on how to:

Spend
Invest
Or save your money.

These suggestions frequently come from people who struggle to manage their own finances.

Reality Check:

If they aren’t financially independent or wealthy, their advice isn’t credible.

People who genuinely understand money know how personal and situational financial decisions are, and they’re unlikely to offer unsolicited input.

Action Plan:

Build a financial strategy based on your goals, values, and expert advice.
Don’t let others dictate how you manage your money.

Why You Should Ignore Them

Here’s the thing about people who don’t have results:

They don’t understand the nuances of what it takes to achieve and sustain success.

Listening to their advice can derail your progress by introducing:

Doubt
Distraction
Or even self-sabotage.

1. Their Advice Lacks Context

Success isn’t one-size-fits-all.

What works for one person may not work for another, and people without results rarely understand the context that shapes your decisions.

2. They Don’t See the Big Picture

Unqualified advisors tend to focus on superficial details or quick fixes.

They lack the experience to understand key principles or see the bigger picture, which is where real success is built.

3. They Can Undermine Your Confidence

Even well-meaning advice can plant seeds of doubt.

If you’re not careful, you might start second-guessing yourself, which is the fastest way to lose momentum.

4. They Don’t Have Skin in the Game

Those without results haven’t:

Risked failure
Endured setbacks
Or learned from experience.

Their words are cheap because they haven’t paid the price of success.

Who Should You Listen To Instead?

The antidote to bad advice is to seek guidance from the right people.

Here’s how to identify them:

They Have the Results You Want
Look for people who are living proof of the outcomes you’re striving for. If you want a fit body, listen to fitness experts. If you’re growing a business, seek advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.
They Understand Your Context
Choose mentors or peers who’ve faced similar challenges. Their insights will be far more relevant than generic advice.
They Respect Your Autonomy
The best advisors don’t dictate – they guide. They understand that you’re the ultimate decision-maker in your life.

How to Stay Focused Amid the Noise

Here’s a simple framework for ignoring bad advice and staying on track:

Filter the Source
Before considering any advice, ask yourself: “Does this person have the results I want? Have they faced similar challenges?” If the answer is no, disregard their input.
Double Down on Proven Systems
Stick to what’s worked for you. Refine your process based on measurable outcomes, not opinions.
Build a Trusted Inner Circle
Surround yourself with people who uplift you, challenge you constructively, and respect your goals.
Cultivate Self-Belief
Confidence in your vision and decisions is your greatest shield against unwarranted advice. Trust your instincts and keep pushing forward.