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I have a confession: I get a liiiiittle overwhelmed when thinking about all of the action plans required to make my goals a reality. Can you relate?!
If you dream big dreams, then you *know* you’ve gotta back those plans up with some pretty big action… which can sometimes mean putting ourselves in the position of a student to learn the new strategies, tactics, and tools required to get us to where we want to go.
In this episode, I’m walking you through the different types of investments I’m planning to make in 2024 AND the ones I believe you should be making as you work towards those big goals you’re dreaming of!
Self-Learning
The first one we’ll talk about is pretty obvious because you’re here with me right now and that is self-learning. You tuning in is a form of self learning, so bravo!
Free content like podcasts, blogs, YouTube videos, and webinars can be a great way to start to dip your toe into the waters of learning new skills, strategies, or tactics to help you get closer to your goals.
Free is great but there are a ton of things you could have already learned for free so if free is the only factor in your budget right now, keep on learning and diving in but commit as though you’ve invested in the content.
Those who pay, pay attention–so put some skin in the game in some way to make sure you follow through and actually implement instead of just gaining information.
Industry-Specific Forums and Social Media Groups
If you’ve ever found yourself going down the rabbit hole in online forums or diving into groups, you know that they can be a powerful place for connection. I can’t tell you the amount of stories I’ve heard from people in THIS community who have ended up working together, starting businesses together, raising babies together because they met in a Facebook group!
Joining online forums and social media groups that are specific to your industry or niche is also a great place to learn from others who have more experience than you. It is a free way to learn from others, ask questions, have more accountability, and build a network of contacts!
Free Webinars and Seminars
You know I love webinars! Now let me preface this and say: not every webinar is valuable. I’m sure you’ve signed up for a webinar before and you felt like you walked away with nothing… I honestly hate those webinars!
But if you’re in a place where free is what you can afford when it comes to learning, sometimes it costs spending your time on some of the not-as-great webinars to find the real gems.
When you sign up for a free training, don’t just take in the content, pay attention to everything surrounding it: the marketing, the email communications, the landing pages etc.
It’s a full blown case study for you so you get a dual learning opportunity for FREE and heck, if you love the way the person is doing things, you might even choose to invest in what they are selling!
Books and eBooks
Books and reading (or if you’re like me, listening on Audible) can be a huge way you can learn and grow.
I remember at the beginning of my journey, reading so many business books. I actually had to ban myself from reading more for awhile because there was SO much content in them that I knew I needed to take a break and focus on implementing.
As an author now, I know how much time and care goes into writing a book – it’s a HUGE effort and a massive time commitment and there’s a real pressure to get your best stuff in it, so books can be a GREAT way to invest in your learning.
A few of my fave books from this last year:
- Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
- $100 Million Offers by Alex Hormozi
- The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
- Shorter by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
- The Practice by Seth Godin
How insane is it that you can find a wealth of information about business in books and eBooks?! Think about it: most books cost between $20-$30, so that’s a pretty affordable way to learn. On top of that, many books are available for free from your local library or can be purchased inexpensively on websites like Amazon.
Online Courses
These can range from $30 – $10,000, so the curve is steep in terms of what you can learn, what you can get, and the level of support you can find in online courses.
My courses range from around $49 up to around $800 and I’ve purchased courses that cost upwards of $5,000. In fact, the first online course I ever took was $5,000 and with the course I got a few one-on-one coaching calls but that was my first investment in learning.
There are many online courses available that cover a wide range of business topics, and some of them are free or low-cost, others are higher investment, but also higher touch.
I am someone who swears by online courses. While they may not be as effective as one-on-one coaching, they are a more reasonable way to get access to an expert, take what they learned, apply it to your business, save yourself time and frustration, and get results!
Peer to Peer Mentorship/Trade
This one has been HUGE for me and honestly the biggest and best way I’ve learned in recent years. Since having kids, I haven’t signed up for as many formal offerings because of time constraints so having friends in the industry that I can learn from has been HUGE.
One thing to consider is exploring if you could trade knowledge, products, or services with someone who you respect. The goal here is to make sure that both people gain, that it’s evident that each recipient is getting value.
When I was starting out, I traded photos for haircuts and found different ways to create mutually beneficial arrangements when money was tight. Now it looks more just like natural friendship where you can bounce ideas off of each other, support each other, and show up.
The biggest thing here isn’t asking “what’s in it for me” but establishing what you can offer someone else and setting clear expectations on what that could look like for both of you! Treat it like a business contract so that everyone feels like they are getting value and it’s a fair trade!
Hiring A Business Coach
I’ve had different business mentors in different stages of my business but I’ve never formally hired a business coach for consistent coaching. That doesn’t mean I don’t think they can’t be a valuable investment!
A business coach can provide personalized guidance and advice on your business strategy and can help you develop skills in areas where you need improvement. This can be a more expensive investment, but it can be well worth it if you find the right coach.
One thing to think about before hiring a coach is what is the end result you’re expecting out of the coaching and are you confident in the coaches ability to deliver. Like have they already experienced the end result you want to experience? And did they get there in a way that you want to?
Get crystal clear on that and don’t be afraid to ask questions about what is included, what you can expect, and what you need before making this decision. Avoid generic claims, clarify the things that sound too good to be true, and make sure that the areas that you need the most support in are places the coach feels confident in helping you.
Going To A Conference
If relationships are an area you struggle in, then you need to find a conference to go to and start saving. Conferences can be incredible for a million reasons but they do require a different level of investment both financially as well as your time.
A lot of times you have to pay for lodging and airfare and have more days out of the office, but there truly is something magic about going to a conference! Not only is it incredible networking, but you also get to learn from the experts and speakers.
Sometimes there are conferences that are held annually and it can be a great way to connect with others in your industry, see friends, learn the latest and greatest and just take a break from your day-to-day life. I love conferences and think the real secret sauce is in networking!
Joining A Mastermind
Back in 2017 I joined my first mastermind. It was a HUGE investment and at a very pivotal time in my career, but I didn’t regret a thing.
I also hosted my own mastermind for one year and both experiences were life changing. The power of a mastermind isn’t just in who’s leading it–it’s who they gather in the room and the collective energy of wanting to share, contribute, brainstorm, and support each other.
A formal mastermind is generally a very expensive investment, usually $10k-$100k or more if hosted by an expert or someone who has the know-how, strategy, and connections to get you to the next level. But, you can also do a free mastermind and gather some peers and hop on zoom and work together!
This year I’ve been in CEO Mama led by my friend Natalie Ellis. It’s been an awesome group to be a part of and it’s been awesome to be surrounded by powerful business women who are also in the thick of motherhood.
Pursuing An MBA Or Other Advanced Degree
Last (but not least) you can always invest in furthering your education in a more traditional setting whether you’re pursuing an advanced degree in business, such as an MBA, or getting your degree in a specific field.
These opportunities can obviously provide a more comprehensive education in business and can open up career opportunities. However, this is a significant investment in terms of time and money.
There you have it: 10 things I believe are worth investing your time and money in 2024. I hope these networking groups, educational tools, and courses help you dig your biggest goals this year. I can’t wait to see how you shine with the help of these investments!
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