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

Sivan Lavie | Visual artist and poet

I disagree with the statement ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ I mean, on a very two-dimensional level, it’s true. If you’ve done something hard, but you’re not dead, you’re probably still alive. But on a deeper level, in what state are you? I think we live in a society that teaches you to throw yourself against walls all the time. Be something. Do more. And honestly, in the long run, that doesn’t work. It’s not sustainable. I think it’s good to expand, to grow, to challenge yourself, as an artist or in any other field. Read more>>

Taymir Terrell | Founder of Taymir Creative

Fake it til you make it. I prefer: work your butt off, build relationships, and keep pushing until you make it. In a world full of fake, be unapologetically authentic to who you are, what you believe in, hone in on your skills and grind it out. I think that’s how you really make it. It’s alright if you don’t know everything, there is always an opportunity for growth by asking questions and learning. Read more>>

Julian Thomas | Writer | Artist | Teacher

That you have to move to a bigger city to be successful or gain traction. This may be different for Miami residents, but I live in Kentucky. A lot of times when people here see an artist making strides in their art career, they say things like “You need to move to Atlanta” or “You should be in LA”. Sometimes artists will go through a slump and start thinking moving away is the magic key to whatever they consider success to be. I’ve been there. But, While this may have been true 20 years ago, i don’t think that’s the case any longer. Read more>>