Your Time and Energy are Sacred...And so is Your Money

I felt seriously pressured in early 2020 pandemic life to use my "quarantine time" to learn and develop myself. I (wrongly) thought I had to use the surreal gift of more free time to better myself by diving into reading my dusty books, taking online courses, and doing all the things I've always wanted to do (this sounds laughable as I type it now, but that's really how I felt at the time). After all, every teacher I love suddenly had an online course, and I felt like I could finally dive into researching my interests and passions (like Reiki!).

Real life hit within a very short time, and just going to the store became such a traumatic experience, it wiped out my energetic reserves for the entire day. And, I still had to homeschool a 2nd grader, then eventually launch his 3rd grade year alongside him from home.

Some of the courses I'd signed up for were free, and the disappointment I never got around to finishing the class was manageable. Other courses I paid for, sometimes hastily, and the sting of not finishing hit a bit deeper when money was involved.

Pandemic or not, this is the era of personal development and growth. If your Insta feed is like mine, I'm being pitched (in a delightfully esthetic manner) 100 courses and opportunities a day convincing me I need to learn more about astrology, how to meditate for each chakra, and how to create a life in divine alignment. And as a Reiki teacher, I'm sometimes on the side of personally making a pitch for my own course because I'm passionate about others learning how Reiki may be able to offer some relief in a highly stressful world.

Personally living in the roles of the student and teacher, I've spent a lot of money on courses, as well as planned and executed my own. While I believe we all have an intuitive ability to make decisions, especially when it comes to time and money, I also love a good short list I can refer back to during times when it feels like my brain and heart aren't communicating on the same wavelength.

So, I present: some things to consider before you hand over your cash, time, and energy.

availability + accessibility

Is the instructor available and accessible to you (even prior to the course launch)? Or, are they out of reach, hidden behind staff and assistants, and show up only for the highlight reel? Some courses are fine on auto-pilot, and you're comfortable paying and receiving your coursework via videos or a learning portal. But, sometimes the more juicy topics need more than a "press and play" approach - they need instructor investment and interaction during the entire journey, particularly before you consider spending money. When that's the case, notice if you're able to contact and connect with the instructor, have your questions answered, fears assuaged, or if you're just being pressured to swipe your credit card.

presentation style

How is the coursework presented, and does that match your learning style? An audio course will have less impact on a kinesthetic learner. For example, I remember my high school history course when the teacher read aloud from his notes for the entire semester, never looking up, and we were supposed to learn by "being engaged." Nope. Not my style (I'm visual, kinesthetic, and read/write), and years later, I still remember how ineffective that class was.

And, if you're easily distracted (well, you're human and totally normal, so no judgement), self-paced, pre-recorded content may lead to subconscious email checking, Instagram scrolling, and responding to never-ending text threads as the course carries on in the background. But, if you need a course that's self-paced with no time constraints, pre-recorded, at-your-own-pace could be a perfect fit if the content meets your learning style.

walking the talk

I agree this one gets muddy behind the literal and figurative filters of Instagram, so definitely use your strongest intuition and spidey sense. To the best of your ability, is the teacher in personal alignment with what they practice? Is there any way to assess how they show up in real, daily life (while remembering everyone has missteps and face-palm moments). For example, in a restorative yoga training, does the teacher talk at hyper-speed, dissuade pausing for questions, and dismiss taking planned breaks to eat and rest? If so...maybe they're not embodying the key tenants of restorative yoga, and you can sense that misalignment.

what do they stand for?

A facilitator has every right to their private life, but when they choose to make aspects of their life public, are their actions in alignment with your beliefs, passions, and purpose? Are you interested in similar causes, humanitarian rights, and injustices? Are they showing up to support others and help the world? Who are their teachers and sources of inspiration? Are they dripping in ego or humility?

is there a spark?

Does the course excite you even before your enroll or hit purchase? Is it a topic that ignites a spark and makes you smile? Granted, some courses just won't light your match, but they're necessary for your development and growth - maybe personally or for your biz. When you're in the undecided grey zone, take time to pull a card, journal, open the Akashic Records, or ask a trusted friend.

rest

Yes, rest. Literally sleep on it. A learning and development opportunity should be in alignment with your highest self, and making that decision doesn't usually come in a rushed manner (if so, you're probably being affected by high-pressure sales pitches). If the opportunity still feels good in at least 1-3 days, that's a clearer sign it's in alignment.

Learning opportunities that are ethically created will usually happen in a circular manner, meaning the opportunity will come again in the future. So, if now isn't the right time to spend your money and energy, a program that's truly meant for you will present itself again at the right time.

Your time and energy are sacred. You are perfect stardust just as you are. Your innate magic will eventually guide you to what is meant for you, and I hope these quick bullet points give you something to reflect back to.

If there's anything I can help you work through or decide upon, you can always book a free consultation call.