In a video published yesterday, I shared that I’d spent over $100,000 on personal development:
Those numbers are quite conservative. As I thought about it, I realized I must be well beyond that figure at this point.
But I’ve noticed people like to call B.S. on this, so let me break it down for you. And I can’t emphasize this enough – all figures that follow are conservative!
Books & Kindles
I own roughly 300 personal development, leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship, and spiritual books, mostly paperbacks or hardcovers, some Kindles. Some books cost more, some cost less, and some were even gotten for free, but if I were to average it out, each book cost roughly $20.
300 titles x $20 = $6,000
Audiobooks & Audio Programs
I have not invested huge sums of money in audiobooks and audio programs, but I have spent some.
20 audiobooks x $20 = $400
4 audio programs x $40 = $160
Courses & Memberships
Courses and memberships (some of which came with personalized coaching) is one of the greatest costs I’ve incurred in growing myself. I don’t think of it as an expense so much as a necessity, mind you.
Fizzle – $720 (for a combined two years of membership)
James Schramko – $2,400 (for a combined two years of membership)
Landmark Worldwide – $5,450 (for seven courses or programs and three seminars)
I have also invested in some one-offs at Udemy and elsewhere, so the above should not be considered comprehensive.
Network Marketing
Everything in life can teach you something, and I learned a great deal about business in network marketing, where I ended up spending a good chunk of money. I can’t say I lost my shirt, but I also didn’t win big. Thus, a business education.
Products – $28,800
Training organization membership – $720
Training resources – $720
Communication tool – $720
Business Investments
Business investments also ended up teaching me a great deal about life and entrepreneurship and I would count them towards my personal growth.
Let’s remember – the above figures are conservative. I have not covered everything I’ve ever invested in to grow myself, and since I’ve been investing heavily into my growth since 2009, some of the above figures would look very different (much higher) in today’s money.
I’ve often said that there’s an abundance of free resources available: Articles, blog posts, eBooks, physical books, events, conferences, trade shows, magazines, newsletters, podcasts, videos. And what I’m starting to discover for myself is that there are some learning methods that are disproportionately better than others.
1. Newsletters
Number one for me is newsletters. Newsletters contain very specific targeted information. The one that I subscribe to is Dan Kennedy’s No B.S. Letter. It contains information on marketing and sales and copywriting.
And whenever I read these newsletters, I come away feeling inspired, with great information in hand. Ready to act on a few things I’ve learned in the newsletter and get into action in my business.
2. Books
Number two is books. Books go very deep into a singular subject. It’s like downloading the author’s brain into your own, adopting their mental frameworks, their methodologies, their thought processes. You get to try them on for yourself.
And I think there’s really something to sustaining your thinking on a singular subject for a certain amount of time. There’s something magical about it.
Just like reading newsletters, the information is super targeted, but it’s also deep, it’s going very, very deep into a singular subject. And that has a way of getting me into flow and inspiring me because I’m making new connections.
3. Video Courses
Number three is video courses or home study courses or whatever you want to call them. These are excellent sources of information as well.
Typically, they’re even more focused than let’s say a newsletter or a book. You might be learning specific aspects of digital marketing like email, or how to use Facebook or things like that.
And while I have not always found them to be the most inspirational sources, certainly not as inspiring as a newsletter or a book, in some cases, I have come away from courses feeling lit up with the actionable insights I could now take to my own business.
4. Audiobooks
And then number four for me is audiobooks.
Now in a way this goes hand in hand with books. The difference I suppose is that you can listen to podcasts or audio programs or audiobooks in your car as you’re driving about.
Over the years, that’s really been the number one place for me to listen to these. But at one point, I was so obsessed that I even listened to them in the bathroom.
But compared to something like a podcast, which I don’t always find inspiring. I don’t always find new information to act on. And the subject matter being covered may not always be relevant to me right now. I can intentionally go out and find audiobooks that are relevant to me and are speaking to my situation and are sure to leave me with insights I can use in my business.
Conclusion
So, while there are a lot of great resources out there, the point is to invest in your education. You’re going to value these resources more. I pay for newsletters, I pay for books, I pay for video courses, I pay for audiobooks. Whichjust goes to show that I am more heavily invested in those than a blog post I read online.
What learning methods inspire you most? I know a lot of people say they like to watch videos. And there are certain visual things like how to tie a tie. That’s better suited to the video medium than say the audio or written word. But with a lot of how-to information, I’ve personally found that video is often unnecessary.
Either way, I would love to hear which sources of information and which learning methods work best for you.
I understand that some people don’t have the weekend off, or don’t necessarily take it off. In which case, substitute “Sunday” with whatever day you have off.
The question is, what do you do on your day off, do you have a routine you follow, and if so, what has worked best for you?
For me, my Sunday routine has basically followed one of three trends in the last few months:
Scenario #1
Scenario #1 is where I spend a third of the day outside, a third of the day reading, and a third of the day playing guitar.
Going outside might look like going for a drive, having lunch, getting a bubble tea, maybe do a bit of shopping.
Reading is self-explanatory. I will get into some good books.
As for playing the guitar, I’ll work on something new, to keep developing my skill on the instrument.
I do find this routine somewhat energizing, and I feel accomplished after completing it. But I usually wake up feeling tired the next day.
Scenario #2
This is basically where I do nothing. Spend most of my time in bed watching Netflix, potentially while playing something on my Nintendo 3DS.
This has been a good way to spend a day off from time to time. Everyone needs a break. But on a more regular basis, it doesn’t work. I usually wake up tired the next day.
Scenario #3
Scenario #3 is what I stumbled on yesterday.
I stayed in bed until about noon, at which point I prepared to go outside. I loaded up my laptop bag with my computer, iPad, book, and newsletter (No B.S. Letter).
First, I went to the bakery for my breakfast. Then, I went to Starbucks and read for a couple of hours.
Then, I went shopping for a bit before returning home with a pizza and spending the rest of the night laying in bed and watching Netflix.
I woke up today feeling refreshed and energized.
Lessons
While I don’t know if I have my Sunday “dialed in” yet, I know I’m getting close. Here are some of the things I’ve realized:
Organizing and cleaning up does make you feel better
It’s always good to get more sunlight and limit exposure to screens when possible (get out into nature)
Breakfast is more enjoyable when it’s healthy and something that tastes good (the bakery I went to largely serves healthy breads and pastries)
Catching up on your reading is a great way to reflect and find inspiration for your current projects and life circumstances
Taking care of odds and ends takes a load off the mind – just don’t overspend in the process
Thanks for reading.
The Leading Musician Coach
Hey! I’m author, entrepreneur, and musician David Andrew Wiebe. Learn more >
