The Blind Leading the Blind: Why You Must Choose Your Advisors Wisely
The quest for success is often crowded with unqualified voices. This truth is perfectly captured in a classic business anecdote.
The Parable of the Poor Guru
A famously self-made businessman decided to indulge in some light reading and visited a downtown bookshop. While casually browsing the self-help section, a title snagged his attention: "How to Become a Millionaire in Six Simple Steps."
Sceptical yet intrigued by the promise, he picked up the book. The author was completely unknown, his biography minimal. The businessman brought it to the counter and pressed the owner for details.
"Sir, an excellent choice!" the shop owner beamed. "This is a phenomenon! We have sold over ten million copies."
"Impressive," the businessman countered, "but who is the author? I've never heard the name."
The owner's eyes lit up. "You are truly fortunate! The author is right here in the shop. Would you care for an introduction?"
The businessman nodded, curious. Moments later, the shop owner returned with a man who looked poorly dressed, lean, and utterly defeated.
"Sir," the businessman asked the author directly, holding up the book, "is it true you wrote this guide on building wealth?"
"Yes, indeed, very true," the author replied with forced pride.
"Then let me ask you this," the businessman continued, his tone turning sharp. "How much fortune have you made?"
The author shifted uncomfortably. "Well, sir, I… I barely have any wealth."
The businessman placed the book back on the counter, his decision final. "Sir, I refuse to buy your book. If you yourself have not become a millionaire by following your own steps, how can you possibly write a manual on how to be one, or teach me anything?"
The Harsh Reality of Unqualified Advice
This statement, though blunt, holds a universal truth that poisons ambition in every aspect of life. We are conditioned to take advice from those who have barely experienced the situation they are preaching about.
Think of those pivotal moments when you dared to tell your parents or relatives about a dream: to become an actor, a creator, an athlete, or an entrepreneur. The immediate, disheartening response is almost always the same:
No, you cannot. It’s too risky. You don’t have a network, you lack a 'godfather,' and failure is certain.
You are mocked for the sheer audacity of your choice. But the most important question is the one you must dare to ask your well-wishers: "Have you ever tried your luck in this field?"
The answer, overwhelmingly, is no.
My Own Suicidal Mission
When I first decided to launch my own venture, the jokes and warnings from relatives were relentless. I had no formal training, minimal capital, and no safety net—only a clear vision. People called it a suicidal mission.
In 2012, I started my company in a single rented room—a corner designated as my 'office' for meetings and visits. There were days when those in my social circle seemed to be waiting, even hoping, for the news of my inevitable collapse. This is the nature of a society that often prefers to see you fail for not taking their 'safe' advice.
The Core Principle of Success
To succeed, you must adopt the mind-set of that famous businessman:
- Doubt the Unproven: Never blindly follow advice from those whose own lives or careers do not demonstrate the success they are preaching. Their fear is their failure, not a map for yours.
- Act on Vision, Not Fear: Recognise that even if your advisors had failed, their course of action and context would be vastly different from yours. Your journey is unique.
Successful people do not listen to every motivational speaker or guru whose primary income source is selling the idea of success rather than proving it. They seek guidance from achievers, but ultimately, they listen to their own vision and dare to chart their own course.