The hottest Advice Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Do illustrators still need advice ?

On Looking • 259 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Advice Community Industry Guidance Education
  1. Think about the context of the advice you give - ensure it is relevant and considerate of the economic reality of individuals.
  2. Consider who needs the advice - it's crucial to question why advice is often directed at illustrators rather than at those with more power in the industry.
  3. Instead of just seeking advice, illustrators need strong communities and proper training to claim their voice and give advice to others.

Being Yourself Won't Be Enough

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💼 Business Job Market Recruitment Advice Hiring Process
  1. Knowing you're in a game in job interviews is important. It's not just about qualifications, it's about understanding what evidence interviewers need.
  2. Being yourself in a job interview doesn't mean being average; it means being the best version of yourself. Show your unique stories and adapt to the situation.
  3. Make interviewers care in the first 60 seconds by hooking them with a captivating premise. Drop the script and have a genuine conversation to show your human side.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Most general advice is bad: A conjecture

Philosophy bear • 92 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Advice Behavior
  1. General, non-specific advice can often lead people to extreme behaviors.
  2. Platitudinous advice might unintentionally encourage individuals to avoid questioning their actions.
  3. Many times, individuals who already lean towards a certain extreme are more likely to resonate with advice that supports that extreme.

What We Can Learn from Sports

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Coaching Weight Loss Advice Teaching
  1. Don't take weight loss advice from people who have always been in good shape or those who have never had weight issues; listen to those who have successfully gone from fat to thin.
  2. Just like in sports coaching, the best weight loss coaches are often individuals who had to work hard to achieve their own success and can relate to the challenges others face.
  3. When receiving advice for weight loss or sports, trying harder is not always the solution; focus on building the right form and understanding the essence of the guidance provided.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 83 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Agents Career Publication Advice
  1. On getting an agent: Agents are essential gatekeepers in the publishing world, helping with submissions and negotiations.
  2. Agent relationships: A good agent can relieve pressure by handling business aspects, letting the writer focus on their art.
  3. Agenting advice: Prospective agents should not charge for reading work, should be transparent about edits and submissions, and communication should be open and respectful.

Every Mantra has a Counter-Mantra

Olshansky's Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Life lessons Self-reflection Problem Solving Advice
  1. Every mantra has a counter-mantra, meaning there's always an opposing idea that can offer balance or a different perspective. It's important to remember this when you take advice or hear a popular saying.
  2. Mantras can be viewed as tools rather than strict rules. Just like you wouldn't use a hammer for everything, you shouldn't apply every piece of advice to every situation.
  3. Finding balance in life is not about sticking to one mantra but understanding that different situations may require different approaches or mindsets. It's all about using the right tool at the right time.

Date on the Calendar, Where Our Food Comes From, Advice About Advice

Austin's Analects • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Industry Healthy Eating Advice
  1. Having a specific date on the calendar for a goal increases the likelihood of actually achieving it.
  2. Most of the food Americans eat is produced by big corporations, which can be harmful. Support local food sources and communities for better health.
  3. When taking advice, prioritize personal stories and insights from people you admire or aspire to be like over generic advice.

A Roundup (August 2023)

polymathematics • 39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🎙 Podcasts Recommendations Interviews Reviews Advice Personal updates
  1. Monthly roundups can help you discover great podcasts, readings, and projects you might have missed. They're a good way to find new stuff to enjoy.
  2. Listening to writers discuss their process can give you insights into how they generate and refine their ideas. It can inspire your own creativity.
  3. Staying updated with interesting people and tools can enhance your knowledge and skills in various areas. It keeps learning fresh and exciting.

Adverbs Are Good

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 20 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Style Advice Fiction
  1. Adverbs and adjectives enrich writing by adding meaning, specificity, and style. They make language vivid and compelling.
  2. Writing advice advocating for cutting adverbs to achieve brevity may not always hold true in the digital age. Lengthier, in-depth pieces can actually perform well and engage readers.
  3. Finding your own writing style is crucial. Not all writers need to adhere to a strict minimalist approach; embracing your unique voice and style can set you apart in a crowded marketplace.

Two key areas to focus on to get promoted and do well in your job. Practical advice from Luca Rossi of Refactoring.

Askwhy: UX Research, Product Management, Design & Careers • 33 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💼 Business Career development Management Advice Collaboration Professional Growth
  1. Great engineers deeply understand tradeoffs and communicate well with others, not just master technical skills.
  2. Invest in talking with mentors and peers for high ROI in learning and growth.
  3. Effective collaboration involves continuous back and forth between engineering, product, and design, not following a linear pipeline.

The Best Startup Books You've Never Heard Of

Greg’s Substack • 2 HN points • 01 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups Books Entrepreneurship Podcasts Advice
  1. Reading anecdotes and advice from successful entrepreneurs in the startup world helps you understand and learn from their experiences.
  2. There are lesser-known startup books that provide fantastic advice and are engaging reads for anyone interested in building or working in startups.
  3. Key insights from startup books include the importance of testing ideas quickly, the value of working with a good team, and the caution founders should have when celebrating raising money.

How to Give Good Advice

The Unabashed Observer • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Communication Persuasion Love Religion Advice
  1. Effective communication involves more than just the literal words spoken, and context and subtext play a significant role in conveying the true meaning.
  2. Persuasive communication, like giving good advice, is complex and requires considering factors like relationships, tone, setting, and identity.
  3. Using various forms of communication, such as images, actions, or charity, can be more persuasive and impactful than words alone.

No is the New Yes

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Wellness Advice
  1. 25% of people with coronavirus do not show symptoms, so everyone should act as if they have it and can spread it.
  2. Saying 'no' during this time shows you care about facts, others, and being responsible, even if it's hard.
  3. It's important to focus on flattening the curve to return to normal faster, even if it means sacrificing some social activities for now.

Book Review: "On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction" by William Zinsser 4/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
📚 Literature Review Writing Nonfiction Advice Examples
  1. The book provides practical advice that improves writing for any kind of work.
  2. The use of examples from American writers adds value, even though some readers may not be into the literary history aspect.
  3. The main message is that simple writing style doesn't mean a lack of intelligence; in fact, it can be powerful.

advice is highly sus

Midnight Musings • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
📖 Philosophy Wisdom Advice Ethics Self-reflection Personal Growth
  1. Be careful with advice. Just because someone is considered an expert doesn't mean their experiences will work for you. Everyone's journey is unique.
  2. Not all advice is good advice. Sometimes, people give advice based on their values, which might not match yours. It's important to think about what you truly want.
  3. Instead of trying to copy others, it's better to look inside yourself for guidance. Reflect on what really makes you happy, rather than chasing external success.