Online Education: Always Be A Student

Online Education: Always Be A Student

You might know a lot, but without BECOMING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED IT IS PRETTY USELESS!

There are so many ways today to become more aware in life and business as you are probably already aware, but what does this actually give us at the end?

And where are we applying this?

I know that my own education never ever ends and it is because of that – that I become more and more of worth and value.  My value increases and so does my business revenue.  Where’s the bad?   The only bad is that it takes work.  But if we are prepared to put in the work into a craft we can enjoy then it’s at least work which is well placed.   Isn’t it?

 

But it’s not just about our businesses where we need to constantly strive for excellence – it’s about life also.

The more we can expand upon our own education the more we can become more aware in every way.

And certainly when aiming to become an expert then the learning should never end.

How does anyone know that you ARE AN EXPERT in what you do?

What experience and education do you bring to your roles?

If you were going back to college or university then you would study for years to become an expert wouldn’t you?   Of course, so my philosophy is that we can become an expert in any area if we are self educating.

If you want to be an online entrepreneur for example – then you have to apply the same sense of dedication and effort into your Online Education.

 

Many things are changing in the world, they always have but in particular, we need to become aware of our place in the world and how our online presence is integral to our overall message, and so it might be that you are a baker, a tattoo artist, a barber, a plumber, an artist, or a coffee barista or freelancer; no matter what you do, or wish to do you probably need some kind of online presence now if nothing else but for exposure and marketing as many eyes are online.

So,  think about your role, your message, your aims, and your goals and take on board what factors need to be added to your plan in order to be where you need to be.

Your Online Education Has Begun: So How Do You Learn Best?

You can choose – but then there are so many ways to learn that we can also get overloaded with information, so I believe we have to really define what it is we are trying achieve and get out of it.

This blog for example is dedicated to those of you who recognize that in order to become the best in your niche/market/area then you need to become a voracious student of your craft, but also to apply specifics into refining your chosen role in order to be as effective as you can.

So, perhaps you desire to run an authority blog yourself, or maybe you would love to become a Coach?

It could be that you wish to build an online empire of books, training’s, courses, and programs?

Whatever that is you are the solution.  Not a specific person or tool, but you.

The way you can  invest in yourself and your own education.

Now, it might be that you need a Coach or mentor to help you and guide you on your journey, or not, but in the end it comes down to what you put into it.  It comes down to how committed you are to seeing something through to completion, as many people start many things but many also never finish what they start.

So, they go from one thing to another with no solid foundational processes and so they have built nothing over many years, but if you can really get some clarity of where to place your time and effort then you can create significant change very quickly.

Online Education: Always Be A Student

In simple terms:

1. GET CLEAR ON YOUR CRAFT/ROLE or what you wish to be or do first and deeply explore options
2. APPLY EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE into this and poor your learning into ACTION
3. CONSISTENTLY learn your craft or role, and decide to become the best you know
4. BE PREPARED to be accountable and responsible for yourself in order to keep on track.

Again – your education will matter in how you grow and become of greater value in order to deliver this to the right audience or target market.

It doesn’t matter how yo best learn either, some say many of us are more visual so, watch videos, training’s and go to events, but if you like to learn in down time by listening then plug into podcasts, audios and audio books if you feel that you are absorbing more this way.

Some people love to get their Online education by going to seminars some, other learn best physically with actions, so it doesn’t matter – as long as we are taking that specific action.  

Personally – when I read a great Book especially about Online Education I Internalize it, BY READING IT SEVERAL TIMES until I can start ti implement what I learn.  I try to stick to my strength areas and focus on those and outsource what I don’t get.  We cannot be great at everything and whilst we can do many things we need to be spending time in the right areas.

For example – I built this blog, I wrote the content, but I outsourced practically every other area which I felt wasn’t creative to me.  I know that I can thrive in certain areas whilst others not so much, so I don’t waste time. 

If I want a membership site built then I won’t even attempt it, I will create the content and get an expert to build it.  I know when I want it launched and out there so, I focus on mastering the timing, the Human feel, the Marketing and the connection to a specific audience.  

The trouble is today that there are so many ways to work online that people kind of half try something and when it doesn’t give back results right away many will walk and abandon a project and move on.  So many will look for that ultimate solution and keep searching, but in my own experience by me learning about a particular area and mastering it means I can earn more as I can create something better.

For example – I have worked online with sites like eBay, Fivver, ebooks, blogging, coaching and mentoring, courses and affiliate products/services.  But I studied each in detail first in order to master each before moving onto the next.

Whilst many search for the magic answer to income I have found it easier to define the area and master that area and the more I put in the more I get out.   I would also say that investing in MY ROLE and brand rather than searching for outside business means that I hold total control over what I do, as many online business platforms come and go and we have little control over them.

So, why invest your hard earned savings, income or an amount you have borrowed into something which is owned and operated by another and could be gone in a click of a finger?

So I suggest creating a group of like minded types whereby you can all help each other to build your businesses.  Especially if you are just starting out and bootstrapping, you can offer advice and support and ask for it in return.  That’s how I built my online brand initially with little money.

Online Education: Always Be A Student

Online Education: Always Be A Student

Start right, I say that from experience.
This is because, I have been there in my 
younger days.

I invested well over £20k into online businesses which ‘i thought’ were going to change my life, and they did change my life in that ‘no matter how hard I worked’ or what money I did make – there was no control over the outcome of that business.

Simply put – my income would be there one moment and gone the next, so I couldn’t rely on this.

Thus I educated myself in order to become more.

Think about this:  You may read a book which costs you $20, but within that book it may help you reach $100,00 per year.  That is  IF YOU USE IT.

How do I learn and retain or remember what I need to learn?

Sometimes it is easier for me to take something on board if it rhymes with something or has a memorable significance.  It might be that I associate words/phrases or sentences I wish to retain as colors.

Some of us can play with various ways in which we can learn, and certainly the more we reinforce information into our minds the more it becomes a new habit which embeds itself into our memory.  We create and connect new Neuro pathways which overwrite old ones, so that we build these new habits and create different behaviors, actions and ultimate results.

Also, another area I have discovered when learning is that ‘when’ we think something IS GREAT and Interesting it is likely to STICK.  That’s why working in our passion area can be the greatest work we are capable of expressing as we are already invested in it’s subject matter.

Do you remember enjoying Math?  I didn’t, so I struggled to retain it all.   It was boring for me, whereas Art was fascinating.  So, I learned growing up to associate IMPORTANT GOALS with FUN.  Even if they weren’t.  So I knew I had to overcome certain and specific areas in order to thrive, so I took on board what was needed from me.

Perhaps there is something you know you need to master or learn but you may find boring?

Either, do what I have suggested or outsource it so you can work on what you love.  You must remember though that sometimes you will have to do what you don’t always enjoy in order to be able to do what you enjoy.

So, – I knew that I had to understand formatting of books, writing in certain ways, creating solid coaching structures and building flow in courses and in my training programs, and whilst I may have outsourced some of this, I wanted to understand how it worked. So I pushed myself.

When we can push ourselves past comfort zones we can see that we more capable than we may think.

As we make progress we grow,

we evolve and we start to see that

we are masters of our lives.

So, this is really about knowing what YOU need to do and what you can GIVE to another whilst building your online message or brand.

The tools and resources are out there to help you, but without knowing your core message and audience then you may create ‘what you think’ is an awesome course YET there are no customers because you failed to establish a high value driven solution.  My point is that – no matter how good the tech may be, without a fundamental purpose to what you do, it won’t mean much to many.

If you create a webinar, it has to speak directly to your ultimate clients major pain point.

If you create a blog it has to deliver the content which can provide deep value and lead to further actions

If you create a website you have to stand out and offer a unique edge and ensure each element is relevant

If you sell affiliate products you have to only share what you believe in and use to create trust and sales

If you create a membership site, you have produce great content and helpful caring support in that core area

No matter what you are trying to achieve you have to know your product or service inside out and realize that it isn’t a great product or service if it hasn’t been checked, researched, explored and tested.

That’s why you have to educate yourself in the right areas.

Certainly we can tap into our greatest gifts and translate these into amazing products/services as we all have specific areas which we are experts at, even if we rarely know that we are.  There may be something which you have had to overcome and this could provide an excellent course for others around the world with similar experiences.

NOTE: The world is filled with average though.  There are too many sellers competing for crowns these days, so you must stand out in a sea of overcrowded competition.  So, why will anyone know what you have if they cannot see it?   Therefore we need original and unique offers.  

Put In that effort at the beginning with your online education and your talent will pay off!

 I had to learn how to build a course, so I started understanding what I could do versus what I would need to outsource to others.  I read the books, watched the videos and as I learned I applied.  Eventually I got there and created something which was at a standard high enough for my students.

 

Something I will do when learning is to underline or highlight the significant sections when reading books.

This is so I can return to them ANYTIME and the lessons will gradually WILL SINK IN when revisited!

I also place tabs in the most important areas which I need reference to, so that when I return to it I am faced with the major point I want to memorize!

Something I also do is watch what is going as change is frequent online and with technology. I learn from other experts, I am also affiliated with those whom I appreciate and know are experts in their field.  We help each other’s businesses.

If you want to be the best in your niche market you can follow those who are out there and successful now!

Online Education: Always Be A Student – Jimi Hendrix Was One Of The Greatest Musicians Of Our Time.

There are Many Ways To Learn!:

Having Fun With Learning:

When we are kids we have alot of colourful pictures and big bold words so that we can ENJOY what we are learning as well as TAKING IT IN.

Even though it is fun to learn as kids we still took it in.

We can tend to lose this ability as we grow older therefore we need to find out what we can do in order to have fun in order to absorb what we are learning.

We have to find what works best for us.

Some people think that reading is BORING unless it is FICTION or just don’t read at all!

A great story intertwined with MORALS or PRINCIPLES that you may learn from is easier to take in and have fun with!   The late great Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and he couldn’t read music. He learned by application and practice.  So, it goes to show that we don’t always need to learn traditionally and to get an education which following the usual route that many consider to be the way forward.

No, the greatest education can come from experience.  And if this is possible for you to share in your online business then you don’t need an MBA in order to succeed at all.   

Films/Movies:

There are many movies which have great ideas and morals to learn from.  I am always getting ideas from movies.  It is for me just about finding that thing which works and can be evolved into something and if I feel inspired enough to ACT.  As you probably know Movies can be very emotional and moving at times and they can CONNECT with us in ways where TALKING OR EXPRESSING OURSELVES to each other cannot sometimes.  So we can learn about how to connect by using media, video, certain words and also with music in our efforts to develop and market what we create.

Online Education: Always Be A Student

What Is Your Area Of Expertese?

Is there already an area you are in?

If you are passionate about that area it is worth immersing yourself into that subject and fully embracing the the journey in order to become a leading figure in that particular area.  That’s the beauty with the online space now.  What matters is that you can show that you are the authority that people are looking for!

I would say that this has helped me the most.  And once I found what I was great at a specific area I completely focused on that area until I became what I considered to be one of the best.

Music/Quotes:

Music can be an amazing way to take on board feelings and emotions of course but what about real learning? If you are talking about LOVE and PAIN then there is a lot to be learned from music! People want to feel connected to powerful emotions and this is how you can sell what you have with ease. Sometimes things that rhyme are INFECTIOUS and I use things like this to STICK IN PEOPLE’S MINDS. This can all be used to create your brand and become a trusted marketer.

Online Education: Always Be A Student – One of my mentors Sir Richard Branson.

Whom Do You Admire?

Is there an athlete a musician or businessperson maybe that you admire? Maybe an Entrepreneur or a Professor of some kind?

Whom ever it is that you look up to and admire try and follow them to see what they are doing.  Learn about them, copy their ideas, watch HOW THEY SPEAK!  Become your own kind of expert whilst looking for inspiring types.

Perhaps they are in an area you want to be in?

In which case take plenty of notes about their online business structure and message. See how they operate and what their online presence looks like.  Look at their brand and colors they use and the way their content is written.  Essentially, you want to be able to craft an offer to start out with which then draws in the right types in order for you to build your name and positioning.

Do these people have websites, sales pages, free giveaways, blogs, courses etc?   If so what do they offer?

Get it all down.

I always have admired many people for various reasons, but to become an expert in the field ‘I am in’ I FOLLOW LEADERS IN my chosen niche to learn from the most.

Here are some of who and what has inspired me and helped me craft my message effectively:

Brendon Burchard Leading Performance Coach

Hay House Publishing Brand and message

Jim Rohn Life and Business philosopher

Tony Robbins Life Coach

T Harv Eker Millionaire Author

MindValley

Sai Blackburn of .Coach

Brad Burton UK No1 Motivational Business Speaker

Vicky Etherington The Website Mentor

There are more – but this is a small selection.

Many people inspire me and even encourage me to keep learning and aiming to be the best – and this is because I have made the effort to connect and so is something I deeply believe in. 

Finally, never forget that a good Online Education is a real gift today and by honing your skills around your Craft just like in any other creative form you can become a recognized leader:  So – be a continual student of your craft and never stop learning.

Online Education: Always Be A Student

VERY IMPORTANT:  Always always measure what you do, otherwise you will never know it’s impact on your progress or failure.  There are many ways to measure and monitor what we do, but we may also hire others who can help us with this.  Personally I prefer Coaching, writing, course creation and podcasting, so I don’t real;y have the time to do it all.  This Is why I hire others who can tell me about my business intelligence and business performance.  This has to be clearly defined and operated on daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and so on.

HIRE A BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE EXPERT AT UPWORK

Regardless of your own passion area you need to ensure this is undertaken.

Don’t make the mistake of many by getting by, and not treating your online business like a business.

NOTE:  You can take as many online course as you like and one great company is Udemy.  There are tons of training’s which can help your brand and business, so it’s up to you to decide which will enhance your education in the digital business space.  You can study with Universities of your choice in the DIGITAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MSc area if you wish to enhance your current career or become a digital freelancer.

Here are some FREE digital courses you can take NOW

Whilst a traditional education isn’t always required for all areas of business or entrepreneurship, it is advised that you at least keep expanding your awareness and staying ahead of the curve with the latest marketing, branding, customer service and care and business development strategies and techniques.

I Really Hope That You Have Enjoyed ‘Online Education: Always Be A Student’ Feel Free To Share It!

P.s the beautiful thing about today’s world is in shaping and sculpting a craft from who you are.  If you need some help with this and with defining your edge you can contact me @ www.GregDeTisi.com anytime to see if we are a fit and book in a free discovery session.  I don’t work with many though, I work with few deeply.

Finally – I hope that this blog can help you in your Micro or Small Business.  But if you need to study in your own time using a course to discover your passions and develop them into a sustainable business model then I created my Passion to Profits $10k p month course here which you can try for FREE if that’s something you might find useful.

As always I wish you the very best with your online career

Greg

Online Education: Always Be A Student

GregDeTisi

Author and Small Business Blogger at Greg De Tisi Writing and Small Business Blogging

Author of 26 books, a course creator and business blogger - Greg has been supporting clients from all backgrounds all over the globe for over 15 years in developing ideas and passions into sustainable Small Business Models. Greg now has more of a focus on supporting his local business community in Bristol UK.