How do I say this without sounding crazy? Well, I’ll shoot it out anyway.
The world has grown in leaps and bounds in this digital age. Technology has removed many of the old barriers to business, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and producing a wave of millionaires and billionaires.
But right on the streets of social media which is an incredibly powerful tool, I see something that worries me, and it has been spreading fast.
Back in the day, we had motivational giants like Tony Robbins, Les Brown, and Brian Tracy. They were experts in their field who turned their professional work into digital impact, helping people become the best version of themselves.
Then came a new generation of speakers who, while not as traditional, found creative and relatable ways to inspire people. They gave their audience permission to dream, and in many ways, this helped birth a new league of successful men and women across industries.
Then came the other guys.
By this, I mean those who need nothing more than a ring light, a mobile phone, and a fancy corner (not even a full apartment) to “rule the world.”
One morning, a random guy wakes up, dishes out “10 steps to success,” and anyone unlucky enough to stumble on his content becomes the audience. His real life is hidden, his credentials non-existent. His only goal is to keep you listening long enough for him to make money from the platforms, or even to get hired to “motivate” others. You’ll be surprised at how many people describe themselves as motivational speakers in their bios.
And if that isn’t enough, we now have self-proclaimed relationship experts telling you how to run your marriage when they’ve never been married, or advising you to demand more in relationships while they themselves settle for less.
The result? Wrong people profiting at the expense of unsuspecting audiences. And there’s nothing more tragic than people wasting their time sometimes years, following advice that the speaker doesn’t even practice.
Yes, we live in an incredible age of information. With just data and time, you can access insights that once cost fortunes. But the downside is frightening: you can also access every kind of information, useful or not.
That’s why you must sift. You can’t afford to give your attention to everyone sharing free advice online. Choose carefully. Follow researched, credible, and qualified thought leaders in your area of interest.
Here’s why:
– Saturation keeps you stuck. Many people aren’t moving forward not because they don’t know what to do, but because they are drowning in too much advice. When you spend all your time seeking motivation, you leave no time for implementation. When you listen to too many opinions, you move one step forward, two steps back.
– Your brain gets addicted. If you keep chasing motivation, your brain begins to crave motivation itself instead of results. Each new dose of advice becomes the reward, not your actual progress. That cycle leaves you frustrated and, worse, can lead to anxiety and depression.
So what’s the way out?
Stop listening to everyone. You need clear direction. Pick a leader, a voice you truly trust, and commit. Decide how often you’ll listen, maybe treat it like church: once a week you “go to service,” the rest of the week you implement. That will get you further than following dozens of voices, drowning in advice, and going nowhere.
Because sometimes, over-information kills dreams.
By the way, I haven’t given you advice here. Feel free to ignore this. Just make sure you evaluate your own practices in this crazy search for motivation.
— Ololade Fagbohunlu
CEO of Upper Crust Geek Solutions. A business strategist, marketing expert, and technology-driven leader with 15+ years of shaping brands across Africa.
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