Chapter 1: Understanding the Cost of Advice

What would it mean to take charge of your life's decisions like a funeral director?

Cartoon illustrations by John P. Weiss

A few years back, I found myself uncertain about my artistic path. I was deeply involved in multiple creative endeavors, including landscape painting, cartooning, writing, and photography. I combined all these interests on a single website but often questioned whether this eclectic mix was serving me well. After reading various opinions from experts, I remained unsure.

At one point, I scheduled a Zoom consultation with a well-known blogger who positioned himself as a life coach. Given his substantial online presence, I believed he could provide valuable insights. He attentively listened to my concerns and weighed the pros and cons before advising that I should create separate websites for each artistic pursuit.

“Fine art enthusiasts come to collect art, not to read essays,” he pointed out, adding, “They may not take you seriously if they find cartoons on your art site.” His advice was compelling, and when you invest in guidance, there is often a sense of obligation to follow it. However, I decided to seek a second opinion from a former gallery owner, who surprisingly recommended showcasing all my creative works on one platform. “Collectors might appreciate the range of your talents,” he suggested. “If they visit for your fine art, they may also be drawn to your cartoons and writing.”

How do you determine which advice to trust?

Be the architect of your life’s narrative.

In today’s world, advisors are available for nearly every aspect of life—financial, career, political, leadership, fashion, and creative guidance. Some possess degrees, certifications, and years of expertise, while others label themselves as “life coaches” with little more than an appealing website. Regardless of their qualifications, it’s essential to recognize that everyone has their own agendas, which may not align with your best interests.

We seek professional advice because, ideally, these individuals have the necessary education and experience. However, casual advice from friends or strangers may lack credibility, and even qualified professionals can provide misguided guidance.

When we request advice, we inadvertently empower the advisor. Their guidance might be flawed, yet we may feel compelled to follow it because they are perceived as the authority. But are they truly experts?

Many people have discovered that a second medical opinion revealed an incorrect initial diagnosis. This underscores the importance of doing thorough research.

Avoid allowing a single individual's perspective to dictate your choices. Educate yourself, assess various opinions, experiment with different approaches, and ultimately make your own decisions. Always be mindful of your biases and strive for objectivity.

Additionally, beware of the pitfalls of overanalyzing. Sometimes we become so entrenched in our evaluations that we fail to move forward.

“The more you dwell on it, debate it, or analyze it, the more it festers in your mind. It’s time to let go and bury it because it’s weighing you down,” said Shannon L. Alder.

In my case, I experimented with creating separate websites for my cartoons, writing, and fine art. However, this decision proved disastrous. My original unified website already had a strong online presence with many backlinks. Readers found it confusing to navigate multiple sites, so I reverted to my original platform, branding myself as an artist, writer, and photographer.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

If I were to start anew, I would likely choose to have distinct websites for each discipline. Why? Because it’s simpler to cultivate a following around a singular focus rather than a broad array of interests.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Clare Boothe Luce

Most branding experts advocate for this approach: select a niche and build your brand around it. For instance, attracting photographers to a dedicated photography site is much more effective than attempting to draw them to a site that encompasses fine art, writing, cartooning, and photography all at once.

Regrettably, I wasn’t aware of this principle when I launched my website. Now that it has been established for years, it doesn’t make sense to dismantle it into separate sites (especially since my attempt at that failed).

No matter if the challenge is website design, medical choices, or personal relationships, at some point, you will face decisions that require guidance. Keep in mind that advice is often worth the price you pay. Even when you invest in it, the counsel you receive may be flawed or biased.

Experiment, gather information, scrutinize your biases, and ultimately listen to your heart.

It’s remarkable how frequently our intuition leads us in the right direction.

(Originally published here)

Before you go

I’m John P. Weiss. I create cartoons, paint, capture photography, and craft insightful stories and essays about life. To keep up with my work, subscribe to my free Saturday Newsletter.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Financial Guidance

In this video, "If You Give Advice Charge A Price," the speaker discusses the notion that valuable advice often comes with a cost. It explores the idea that when individuals invest in guidance, they are more likely to take it seriously and act upon it.

Chapter 3: Assessing the Value of Financial Advice

The video titled "Is Financial Advice Worth It?" delves into the complexities of financial guidance. It questions whether the investment in financial advice yields beneficial results and discusses the varying quality of advice available today.