If you are like me, when I first started out in my business, I was like a kid chasing after a shiny object.

“Oh look over there”….”Wooowwwww, great idea”…..”I LOVE that”….”I NEED that”….

Sound familiar?

I quickly found myself chasing ideas and falling down rabbit holes. I wasted a ton of money and a ton of time!

When you are trying to learn something new or just get started, it’s tempting to just jump in feet first and figure it out later. And while progress over perfection is my mantra…my bank account was screaming at me and my head was spinning!

Can I tell you how many templates I have saved on my desktop that have yet to be used? In fact, there is one that I purchased and didn’t realize I needed InDesign to use…um another cha-ching!! It’s still sitting there unused! 🙁

So today, I want to offer you 3 Tips for helping you decipher where to invest your money in a sea of webinars, retreats, conferences, and education.

As an educator myself (I have a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instrustion) I can tell you that we all have different learning styles. In fact, I studied the Multiple Intelligence Theory in depth in grad school where I learned the value of figuring out your student’s and your own learning styles. Are you an audtiory processor, a visual learner, an interpersonal learner, an intrapersonal learner, etc?

My theory is that if you know how you learn best, you can use that knowledge to choose educational experiences and investments wisely.

Tip #1 Know how you learn best….
*If you are an auditory processor, podcasts & webinars would be great for you. You can multi-task and learn while you listen.
*If you are a visual or lingustic learner, an e-book or in person workshop would be a wonderful fit for you. Your brain is accessed through what you see visually, so graphics and words are great!
*If you are an interpersonal learner group work is probably your fave. Because you thrive on collaboration and instant feedback, large conferences and retreats might be the way to go. Althought smaller retreats might be enticing too because you work in community at those and can ask all those questions that you are dying to ask….these are deep dives where you really work as a group.
*If you are an intrapersonal learner…ie introvert that likes to process information alone, then webinars, downloads, and blogs may be your jam.

These are just a few examples….but really think about the environments that you feel most comfortable in and seek those out. I’m not saying never go out of your comfort zone. We all need that little push from time to time to try something new. But when you are potentially spending thousands of $$ on a conference only to be saddled with massive anxiety about it….maybe you should consider alternative methods of education.

Tip #2 Plan Ahead…
Every year I create a business budget. I budget for big projects, continuing education, and travel. I didn’t always do this and ended up going in the red a time or two. Not fun! So really think about how you would like to invest in yourself and your business in the year ahead. Consider budgeting for small webinars or downloads and then a big conference or mentoring session. Make space for those in your business expenses column as you plan out your year.

Tip #3 Find Your Tribe…
Social Media followings are so helpful to finding the business owners and educators you connect with. Spend some time following their paths, read their books, take advantage of their free educational tools. Then really see who offers what fits you best. Who speaks into your season of life or where you are in your business. Who has a heart for the things that you have a heart for? For instance, I’m a mom to three teenage daughters… so I typically seek out others who are growing businesses while growing their families. Because if she can do it, I can do it. I have a hard time right now identifying with business owners who live, breathe, eat, sleep their businesses….someone would call Child Protective Services on me if I did life that way. Good golly…I have to fit in making dinner every night and carpool or they’d all be malnourished and left standing outside after cheer practice!!! So I seek out others who I can learn from that will offer practical application tools to my business.

Now don’t get me wrong, I also seek out the experts…not only considering the criteria that their life is like my life. If I need legal knowledge, I know Christina Scalera has great resources, if I want to learn about the benefits of blogging to increase your business profile, I seek out Katelyn James. Seek out the experts.

I also consider their hearts! I LOVE Carrie Grace and Lara Casey!! I read Lara Casey’s book Make It Happen several years ago when I was longing to get back into my business full time. I was teaching kindergarten and due to some family circumstances with my husband’s job, I needed to make a career change. Her heart for the Lord and small business owners helped me see that with faith and hard work, I could make the transition. And I’ve been a loyal follower of hers ever since. Carrie Grace is a wonderful business owner and influencer that helps others collaborate and offer great products. She recently hosted the Creative Hub Conference which is a self-paced webinar full of wonderful creatives teaching about the things they do best!! I’m knee deep in it right now and HIGHLY recommend you head over and check it out!!!! I’ve been taking notes all day…see I’m not an auditory processor…so I have to write what I hear…I need that kinesthetic piece to it. My journal is filled with AMAZING content and resources from the Creative Hub…. And it’s super affordable….HELLO…YES!!!!

You can access it a www.creativehubconference.com ….here’s the link. Creative Hub Conference

If you sign up, I’d love to know what you think!!!

Happy learning!!

Blessings,
Corry