We asked some folks we admire to share one piece of conventional advice they disagree with.

Wildy Martinez | Mother & Fashion Designer

“Balance is key”. I wasted a lot of my time and energy trying to create such “balance”. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but recently I discovered that “life’s balance scale” usually tilts heavier on one side more than the other. That how real life is. In my 20’s, climbing my way up in the Fashion Industry as a designer, I found myself struggling with the saying “work life balance”. If I can go back and give myself a pep talk I would say something along the lines of “hey, do not feel guilty for loving your job. That you secretly find it thrilling to go on days, week, and even months where all you breathe and think about is fashion. Don’t let you family and friends guilt trip you because you are at the studio creating and doing what you always wanted to do.” I believe I would have enjoyed that season of life even more if I lived it unapologetically. Read more>>

Luther Moore | Founder, Wav Mob

I roll my eyes every time I hear someone ask a person they look up to for a single piece of advice and they respond with “lots of hard work”. I think it’s incredibly lazy and condescending. There are, of course, any number of responses you could give, but if I had to replace “hard work” with a single response of my own, I would answer with “Keep moving”. The world will move on with or without your participation so your best bet at capitalizing on an opportunity when one comes your way is perpetual motion. Keep moving with your head on a swivel and full of steam. Keep active, keep learning, keep getting involved, keep producing, keep GIVING. There are a million ways to reach your summit, the one surefire way to NOT is stagnation. Read more>>

Aishwarya Chandramohan | Story Artist & Character Designer

“You should live and breathe your craft as an artist.” I think that that piece of advice gets perpetuated a lot and a lot of younger artists think that if they don’t draw everyday they can’t call themselves artists. When I was younger I was told that often and I started to doubt my own ability because I liked to do other things besides art. Read more>>

Triggy Herrington | Creator

I wouldn’t say there’s anything I disagree with however I feel there’s a missing piece to advice when speaking of pursuing a dream, starting a business or doing anything unconventional. The “work” concept usually focuses on a physical aspect. While the physical work required to be successful is a factor, the mental work required outweighs the physical. Early in my journey I adapted the 80-20 rule. It’s 80% mental work, 20% physical work. The physical is an easier feat when you’ve built mental endurance to keep going. Read more>>

Tahirah Goins-Nall | Marketing Manager, Blogger, and Stylist

That you have to always be “on and available.” to achieve success. The idea of “grind culture” permeates through everything; from business to the education system, and I think true success is defined personally. I don’t actually think that you have to work from morning to night to be successful or wealthy. I do believe that discipline is necessary if you want to achieve your goals, absolutely. However, the idea that we have to work a 9-5 and then spend the rest of our waking hours devoted to side hustles has never settled right in my spirit. Sleep is important. Meditation is important. Read more>>

Mai Amalie Bak | Producer & Executive Assistant

Advice like “don’t sweat the small stuff” and “don’t over-think it” definitely comes from a good place, but personally, I think there’s a lot to be said for over-thinking. I’ve always been an over-thinker, and I used to think of it as a weakness that I should work on and try to change, especially because people would always tell me that I’m too anxious and that I think too much. I’ve decided to embrace it instead, because I’ve realized there’s really not much I can do to change something so fundamental about myself Read more>>

Jasmine G | Expressive Artist

As an expressive artist, I disagree with the opinions of others when it comes to how I should create something. No matter what, I will always follow my own ideas, opinions, and thoughts at the end of the day. Taking advice from others can delay the creative process because it’s not what I want to do. So sticking to my own creative process I tend to produce my best work. I feel as though listening to someone else’s ideas on how I should create something removes my signature. Read more>>