Stop Comparing—Context Matters When You Take Career Advice
Here’s the thing about advice, especially online—it’s often given without context. And context is everything.
You know what I mean. You’ve probably scrolled through posts or watched videos telling you things like:
“If you don’t love your job, quit immediately!”
“Hate your manager? Walk out today!”
“The best way to get a raise is to switch jobs every two years!”
On the surface, these bold moves might seem empowering. And let’s be clear—sometimes leaving a toxic environment or making a strategic jump is exactly what you need. But what’s missing from these catchy posts is the reality check:
What’s happening behind the scenes?
That influencer telling you to quit your job on the spot might have months of savings or a family that can help pay the bills. Their bold advice might be exactly right—for them. But is it right for you? That’s the question you have to ask yourself.
Here’s my gentle reminder for you today:
Don’t make decisions based on someone else’s highlight reel.
I’m not saying your mental health or your peace isn’t worth prioritizing. It absolutely is. But making impulsive decisions—especially based on advice meant to get likes and shares—can sometimes leave you jumping from one stressful situation to another.
If you quit without a plan, that immediate relief can quickly turn into anxiety, confusion, and even financial struggle. So before you leap, ask yourself a few practical questions:
“Do I have enough resources to leave my current situation comfortably?”
“Do I have clarity on what I want next, or am I just reacting to frustration?”
“Is the person giving me this advice actually in a situation that resembles mine?”
The same applies to advice about job-hopping for money. Yes, you might increase your salary, but are you also building enough real, meaningful experience? Or are you jumping from job to job without depth—potentially creating issues for your long-term career goals?
It comes down to this:
Your situation is unique. Your responsibilities, your financial picture, your personal circumstances—they’re all uniquely yours. The advice that works perfectly for someone else may not translate seamlessly into your reality.
So here’s the bottom line:
When you get advice, filter it through the lens of your own life. Consider context. Evaluate your own goals. Then—and only then—decide if that advice belongs in your Keep-it bucket or if it’s time to leave it behind.
You’re building your own story—not copying someone else’s.
Make sure the decisions you make reflect your own context—not someone else’s carefully curated Instagram post.
This is part 3 of our series on filtering advice, based on Tip #21 from my book, Career Gymnastics.
If you’ve missed the earlier posts, make sure you catch up! And stay tuned for next week—we’ll talk about how to recognize when the advice you're getting is just an upsell in disguise.
#CareerGymnastics #AdviceOverload #CareerContext #StrategicDecisions #AuthenticGrowth