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Success Advice

Here’s Why Buying Online Courses Won’t Make You Successful

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Take a moment to think about all the online courses, e-books, podcasts, and other digital products you’ve purchased in the last year or two. Even better if you take an excel spreadsheet and evaluate how much you’ve spent for each of them. How many of them have you finished? How many have you received returns of investment from?

More often than not, we’re persuaded by excellent sales pages and we end up giving in to the pitch. While most courses out there bring more value than what you pay for the cost, relying on the online course alone will not make you successful.

Yes, you see the testimonials from different people who’ve “made it” after buying the course. They’re different types of people from all walks of life, and it makes you think that if they can do it, you can do it too! Sometimes, they even get lucky and end up being interviewed by the course creators themselves.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell

This is where you begin to think that if you buy the course, you will automatically be one of these people someday. Personally, I have spent over $3,000 on online courses and other digital products. I haven’t even finished half of them! I’m sure you or someone you know can relate to this.

Here are my realizations when I had a phase of being an online course shopping addict:

1. You still have to put in the work

This is a no-brainer, but sometimes we expect everything to be handed to us in an instant. Just because you paid $1,500 for a course doesn’t meant that you’ll instantly be a millionaire. Courses serve as a guide to what you already know, and there will be times you will be required to do research if you don’t know.

I can relate to the feeling of finally buying that course. At first, you tell yourself you will work day and night to finish the course and achieve its purpose. Then slowly without even realizing it, you’re procrastinating and eventually abandon the course. Soon, you see another Facebook ad offering something else claiming you can earn an x amount of money if you buy it, and the cycle repeats.

If it’s too late and you’ve already bought several courses, take it one step at a time and direct your energies on finishing only one first. Then you can move on to the others.

2. It keeps you from being focused

When we buy too many online courses, it keeps us from being focused. That is one of the most important things entrepreneurs need to master especially if they’re still starting out. I have to admit, the sales pages I see for bestselling courses have excellent sales pages that can make even the most broke person want to buy it.

This is when your willpower gets tested. Of course, every sales page will say that you need this course, I mean, look at everyone else who bought it, they’ve already quit their full-time jobs.

But you really have to ask yourself, “Do I really, really, need this?” and “Have I finished and fulfilled the purpose of the last course that I bought which also convinced me to buy it?”

There’s nothing wrong with buying multiple courses, just avoid doing it all at once, because you’ll always be confused which one to focus your energies to. In fact, having multiple courses on your plate can even be used as an excuse.

“Self-belief and hard work will always earn you success.” – Virat Kohli

When I was having a hard time in one module in a course, I stop and move on to another course that I haven’t finished. It becomes a game of ping pong where I keep passing on the responsibilities when I’m having difficulties. It will delay what needs to get done, and this isn’t a good practice to get used to.

I currently have four unfinished online courses that I bought last year and the year before, and I’m on my way to finishing them all, one step at a time before even thinking of investing in another course. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be successful after finishing one of them and as long as I continue putting in the work.

What do you think of online courses? Comment below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com

Nicah Caramba is an entrepreneur who is passionate about public speaking and travel. Aside from chasing the next adventure, she is constantly looking for ways to help people communicate their ideas better in her blog todayimchanging.com! Sign up for her FREE Minimal Fear Course!

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
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Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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