Today’s post is by my friend, Val Geisler. While Val’s “target audience” is a little different than mine, we think a lot alike. I read her blog regularly and I always find myself nodding my head in agreement with whatever she’s saying. Plus, she’s like the Yoda of helping entrepreneurs get their, um, stuff together. This post appeared on her blog a while ago and as soon as I read it I begged her to let me re-post it on my blog. She said, “Get off your knees and stop begging me. You’re embarrassing yourself and everyone else here at Panera.” Then she gave me her blessing. So, here you go. I hope it resonates with you like it did with me.
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In 2014 (the same year I took 3 months off and had a baby), I spent over $5,000 on e-learning. Probably more if you consider the hours and hours I poured thru blogs and articles, researched and read forums, and responded to comments. Since time is money, that adds up.
But since I only have the income reports from my accountant to pull the actual numbers, let’s go with $5k. Not an insignificant number, by any means, though I realize that many have spent much, much more.
And if you’re anything like me, you might be wondering what I did with $5k worth of new information in my brain. Did I use all of it? Did it magically make it’s own investment back in spades? Do I have a textbook case of overwhelm with a side of exhaustion.
No, kinda, and maybe.
See, like a hungry college kid at the grocery store, I made a few hasty purchases. I bought a few courses that I was socking away for a rainy day. It was all Just In Case Learning.
Just In Case I decide to promote my business on Instagram more.
Just In Case my speaking career really takes off.
Just In Case there is a better way to set goals than the way I’ve been doing it for years.
And while Just In Case Learning may, someday, pay off, it’s actually glorified busy work (and busy work for my bank account too – I’ve yet to see any of my Just In Case Learning pay for itself). Just In Case Learning is what we do when we don’t know what to do. It’s the liberal arts degree of entrepreneurship. I should know, I have a degree in theatre.
The opposite of Just In Case Learning is Just In Time Learning. As in:
I learned about how to properly run Facebook Ads Just In Time before I wasted any more money trying to figure it out myself.
I nailed down my messaging with clear and concise copy Just In Time before I launched my new website.
I got the inside scoop on rocking a great webinar that sells Just In Time before I launched my big group program.
Just In Time Learning is the kind that pays for itself. Maybe not in actual dollars made after the course was over but in dollars saved by not spending them in the first place. Less output, more knowledge.
I gotta tell you, I’m a big fan of Just In Time Learning. It really takes the question out of “Should I do this program/buy this course/join this membership site?”. Here’s how I assess if it’s Just In Time:
- Do I need this information for the next 90 days of my business?
- Am I willing to put in the leg work (no matter how much) to learn it on my own?
- Would I like a guide in this information? Someone who has tested it out and honed it for me?
And that’s it. If I can answer Yes, No, Yes to those questions, it’s Just In Time Learning that I will happily invest in. No more busywork. No more wasted money.
I’ve been the hungry kid at the grocery store (in real life and in business). It’s a drain on my wallet and my sanity and I’ve committed to never going to the store hungry again. Just In Case Learning is so 2014. We’re over halfway thru 2015 (what. I’ll pause while THAT sinks in…) but I’m officially declaring it The Year of Just In Time Learning.
My Just In Time Learning list includes: How to Podcast and Writing a Book (how’s that for a sneak peek into my business game plan!)
What’s on your Just In Time Learning list?
About Val
Val Geisler is a Client Experience + Systems Strategist with a passion for digital entrepreneurs. After over a decade behind the scenes of everything from non-profits to multi-six-figure businesses, Val has the innate ability to think big picture and minute details at the exact same time. While this skill is most often found in soaring bald eagles, Val puts it to work here on the ground with her clients as she crafts truly unique customer experiences that stand out. Her clients love shaking off the weight of the day to day and finding the space and time to build their dream businesses full of happy customers and endless referrals.
Often seen geeking out over her favorite resources and tools on Facebook, Val is most likely found doing (slightly less complicated) puzzles with her daughter or finding a little bit of solitude on her yoga mat. Get all of her best tutorials, tips, and tricks for crafting your own customer experience at valgeisler.com/simple-solutions.