The Course Hoarder’s Dilemma: Navigating the Path to Effective Learning
8 actionable steps to transform your learning
This year, I’ve enrolled in 16 paid courses, workshops, and webinars. That doesn’t include the free webinars and courses I’ve signed up for.
From certification courses to online subscriptions, my appetite for learning knew no bounds. Yet, amidst this enthusiasm, a dilemma emerged. This is the story of the course hoarder’s journey.
Yep, I’m a course hoarder.
The familiar cycle of a coarse hoarder starts with excitement, overwhelm, and analysis paralysis. Many of us fall into the trap of collecting courses like trophies, only to realize we’re drowning in a sea of information overload.
But fear not because there’s a way out.
In this article, I’ll share my challenges as a course hoarder and provide actionable steps to transform your learning journey into tangible results.
Paid Courses > Free Courses
Understanding your learning style is key. Some thrive on free online content, while others, like me, require structured learning. A roadmap, a syllabus — that’s our cup of tea.
That’s where paid courses come in handy. They’re like a roadmap with pit stops and directions. And guess what? They also give us a nudge to stay committed.
Mind you; it wasn’t always this way for me. I’ve only started hoarding courses this year because I asked for growth in my income goals. But growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone.
So I played catch-up when I realized there was a misalignment between what I was asking for and what I was doing. I enrolled in different courses focused on improving or developing new skills.
Why? Because skills = income.
If you want to grow your income, consider setting up a personal development fund besides your emergency fund. I talked more about balancing stability and adventure in my other post:
Common Issues Faced By Coarse Hoarders
We yearn to upskill, evolve, and unlock our potential. Yet, amidst the abundance of courses, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of overwhelm, underutilization, and self-doubt.
Let’s address these issues one by one and pave the way for effective learning.
- Overwhelm and Paralysis: Having too many courses can make you feel like you’re stuck in a big mess, unable to move forward.
- Information Overload: Having lots of info but not using it can make your brain feel all jumbled up and confused.
- Loss of Motivation: Ever started something with a lot of energy, but then it just fizzled out? When you learn things but don’t use them, it’s like watching your excitement slowly fade away.
- Lack of Focus: Jumping from one course to another can leave you feeling like you’re all over the place, but not really getting anywhere.
- Wasted Resources: Financial investment in courses without implementation can leave you with a sense of wasted resources.
Let’s face it. Transformation only happens when you apply your learnings. Here are some actionable steps to get the most return of investment:
Actionable Steps to Transform Your Learning:
- Curate Your Collection
I keep a list of my courses (paid & free) in Notion to monitor my progress status and remind myself what skills I’m working on.
Review your course library and prioritize the ones aligned with your goals. Every course is a milestone that fits into a bigger picture of your goals. Unenroll from those that don’t fit and focus on a select few.
2. Set Clear Goals
Define specific learning objectives for each course. Always check your intentions: what is your learning purpose, and where are you headed?
I also like to see its corresponding price to keep myself accountable. This helps me create a stronger commitment to my goals.
3. Create a Learning Routine
If you’ve heard about my 5 AM Club challenge, I have adjusted my schedule to include a deep work routine in the morning.
The 5 AM Club Challenge In 66 Days
Unlocking early mornings for personal growth
kayceeports.medium.com
What is deep work?
Deep Work: Professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit.
(Cal Newport, “Deep Work”)
According to Cal Newport, the best-selling author of the book ‘Deep Work’, you must master the art of quickly learning complicated things and producing to an elite level (in terms of both quality and speed) to remain valuable in our economy.
Deep work looks like going over your course modules without any other tabs open. It may look like learning how to code, or familiarizing how a software tool works, or memorizing sales pitches.
Incorporate deep work into your daily routine. Dedicate focused time to your courses. Consistency is key to retaining and applying knowledge.
4. Implement as You Go
Instead of waiting until you’ve completed a course, implement small actions as you learn.
I’ll admit, this could be hard to do. Perfectionism and overthinking could get ahead of us.
But if you want to put yourself out there, you must learn to develop a thick skin. Implement your learnings, challenge yourself to stay consistent, and be accountable. Get feedback from experts, then iterate your work.
6. Limit Future Enrollments
After finishing a course, the instructor or the training academy will upsell you with other bundles in their courses. At this point, you may still be hungry for learning.
More often than we can admit, we like to procrastinate the application by learning yet another course.
But before you do, avoid impulsive enrollment. Take the time to discern. Go back to Steps 1 & 2. Evaluate how they fit into your existing learning plan.
7. Hold Yourself Accountable
Share your learning goals with a friend or mentor who can encourage and hold you accountable. Better yet, practice in public.
That’s why I find accountability groups and communities important. Participate in discussions, forums, or group activities related to your course. Engagement fosters a deeper understanding.
If you do this independently, especially for on-demand courses, you can set up your own challenges. For example, I knew I had to write every day to improve my writing skills. Hence, I started my 100-day writing challenge.
Experiment with what works. Improve through a trial-and-error process.
8. Celebrate Small Wins
Got your first client? Your first subscriber? Your first comment? Whatever small feat that is, acknowledge and celebrate your progress. Even small steps are milestones on your learning journey.
Final Thoughts
Collecting courses is fun, but turning that knowledge into action? That’s where the magic happens.
By curating your courses, setting clear goals, implementing as you go, and maintaining a consistent routine, you can transform your learning journey.
Remember, progress is more important than perfection.
Embrace the joy of applying what you’ve learned, and watch your personal growth soar beyond the confines of course hoarding.
Your journey towards tangible achievements starts now!
