Alright, folks, gather ‘round – it’s time for another episode of “Sean vs. the Digital World.”
We’re almost a week into my "Digital Detox," where I've taken on the noble challenge of going until November 30 without buying a single new course, book, or tool related to making money online. That's right, I’m finally saying "No" to the siren song of shiny objects and "Yes" to sanity.
And you know what? So far, it's been easier than I thought! I mean, don't get me wrong, the ads are still popping up like a Whack - A - Mole game.
- “Ultimate Guide to Passive Income!” whack
- “Learn to Build a 6 - Figure Business!” whack
But I’ve managed to scroll right on by, no matter how enticing the offer sounds.
If you read my earlier post, you'll know that I reframed this challenge to be about mastering the stuff I already have instead of just avoiding new purchases. Think of it as "Turning Overwhelm into Productivity" – or at least trying to. It feels a bit like renovating an old house: I already have the bricks, mortar, and a questionable-looking toolbox. Now, I just have to figure out how to put it all together before the roof caves in.
Welcome to the Land of Unfinished Courses
So here I am, diving back into the treasure trove of resources I’ve accumulated over the years – a virtual library of courses, eBooks, and guides. I’m not kidding when I say there’s enough material on my hard drive to start a small online university.
And if you’re anything like me, maybe you’ve found yourself in the same boat. You get all excited about a new course – probably after being upsold from a $7 ebook to a $500 “Complete Mastery Bundle” – and before you know it, you’re drowning in PDFs and video modules.
But here’s the kicker: even though I’ve got enough courses to keep me busy until I’m collecting my pension, I still find myself wondering… where do I even start?
Decision Paralysis: The Real Boss Level
It’s like standing in front of an all-you-can-eat buffet, except instead of food, it’s a line-up of topics: "Learn to Write Killer Blog Posts!" "Master Facebook Ads!" "Become a YouTube Star!" Heck, one of these days, I’m half expecting to see “Play Guitar Like Hendrix” pop up in the mix – and I haven't taken my any of my guitars out of their case for years. It’s just how this whole ‘shiny object syndrome’ thing works.
Take me, for example. I’m currently deep into learning with Dean Holland and his Internet Profits team, soaking up everything about building an affiliate marketing business. I’ve been through most of the materials, but of course, there’s always more to go. Then there’s a Facebook lead ad course I’m working on – also pretty useful, seeing as I’m actually getting some stuff done there.
But oh wait, let’s not forget the Funnel Builder Certification and Coaching program I signed up for six or eight months ago. Yep, ClickFunnels certification, baby! Because who doesn’t want to learn how to build epic sales funnels? It's not like I’m already juggling a few other programs at the same time, right?
My Strategy for Staying Sane (or Trying To)
So, what’s a guy supposed to do when his hard drive looks like an eLearning junkyard? Well, my strategy is to treat this like university (minus the late-night kebabs and questionable fashion choices). I’m prioritizing my top 2 to 4 courses and creating a schedule – blocking out study time like I’m booking appointments with the productivity gods. When it’s time to study, I focus on just one course – no bouncing around like a caffeinated squirrel.
And no, I’m not doing the affiliate marketing course and a guitar course simultaneously – although imagine how epic my “Learn to Shred on Your Landing Page” series would be.
Instead, I’m sticking to courses that actually align with my goal: building my affiliate marketing business and bringing in a consistent income.
The Real Test: Blocking Out Distractions
Now, I know not everyone has the luxury of an open schedule, but that’s okay! You can still tackle this, even if you’re working full-time and trying to squeeze in some study hours here and there. The key is to pick just one or two courses, stick with them, and avoid diving into a whole new learning rabbit hole whenever you get a new idea. Trust me, I’ve been there – it’s a long fall to the bottom.
Your Turn – What’s Your Plan?
So, how about you? Got a bunch of courses gathering digital dust on your hard drive? Are you ready to dig in and start learning those new skills?
What’s your strategy for tackling it all?
Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear about your plan. Who knows, maybe we can even hold each other accountable (in a fun way, of course).
Let’s do this. Let’s get something done for a change. It’s gonna feel pretty darn good to actually finish a course – or at least make some serious progress – without being distracted by the next big thing.
Thanks for sticking around, and I’m glad you’re here. Now, let’s crush this digital detox thing together!
Sean Street
Your Digital Sherpa on This Crazy Adventure