To kick things off I want to start on a level to which we can all agree on, that no matter what background you come from, path you have chosen in life, that education is key!
“Sure, education is hard work and requires dedication, but in the long run it will pay off.”
Formal Education: Agreed, we all need the fundamentals of an education; how to read, how to write, the basics of math and a general knowledge of history, geography and science. However this article is about determining whether we really need a continued formal education or even having to part with hard earned money for someone else to teach us?
Paid Education: Do we need to believe or buy into these so called professionals who bombard us with constant social media marketing, selling us their "Unique" training courses to make us millionaires within the year?! Personally I do not think so. I personally think that it aims at those who are potentially vulnerable, naive, lack knowledge, caught in a bad situation, perhaps not enjoying their job, or financially they may be struggling, therefore they are more open to believe someone who promises financial freedom in 3 - 6 - 12 months, but at the cost of £1,000 to £25,000 training course!
Self-Education and the day and age we are in: I truly believe self-education is the key to success and greatness! The times of having certificates and official paperwork to say what you can do are gone (they also have an expiry date whether it states it or not!) So, let's open our eyes and remember we are in the day and age of being creative, being inventive, developing new skills, advanced software, and social media.
Therefore it is key to continuously develop your knowledge and keep up with the times! Knowledge is power, but this can only be obtained by you putting in hard work, a willing to learn, prioritising your life, discipline and swapping the Netflix series for an audio book, a podcast, a webinar, free YouTube videos, a seminar event, networking and learning from others.
Now, I really want to stress this particular point and for you to note this down and remember this before you think of signing up to someone’s training course, even if it states its free at the beginning, because believe me there is always a DISCOUNTED cost ONLY around the corner, you just don't know it yet. (These training program's are purely another way to generate an income for the hosting individual! They are businessman people first and foremost!
“All I have learned, I learned from books.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Please note all of the below will assist with your self-education journey.
All of the below are either free or cost pocket change to buy/subscribe to:
Audible/Audio - The biggest turning point for myself personally 4-5 years ago - There is nothing audible cannot teach you and your able to learn wherever and whenever - £7.99 a month.
Podcasts - Free - note the names of the individual you enjoy listening and learning from, connect with them on LinkedIn, approach politely and ask away with any questions. 9 times out of 10 they will be happy to answer, perhaps even jump on a quick call, I have done this several times. Just remember to be specific with your questions, value their time and that free phone call with key content/answers may have cost you £XXX's if those same questions were asked on a paid course.
Webinars - Free - note the names of those on the webinars, connect with them on LinkedIn, approach politely and ask away with any questions. Same as above.
YouTube - Free - Available 24/7 and the opportunity to learn directly from those who are successful in your chosen field.
Books - Minimal costs - Every subject ever needed will be available through a hard back book! Seminars - Networking events - Local chamber of commerce events - and much more!
Conclusion
Please think carefully before parting with your hard earned money to someone who is running a marketing and education business. You can achieve all you want to achieve through self-education and always remember that success is built on your own individual journey!
A saying I live by is, "Stay focused, stay on the road and never go chasing the big bucks that run into the woods, you will surely crash"
Please also remember, if it sounds too good to be true then it truly is!
“Learning is not done to you. Learning is something you choose to do.”-Seth Godin-
There is an abundance of information to be sourced outside of university and an abundance of career paths to be taken that don’t stem from a Formal Education.
It is frankly not needed.
1.Self-education will set you up for greatness. 2. Allow you to learn what you are truly interested in. 3. Save you money, therefore why pay thousands for a formal education when you can educate yourself for a fraction of the cost?
Hope you enjoyed this article, please let me know your thoughts.
Aaron Knightley
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