Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance to Earn An Extra Buck Online
If you’re under the impression that e-learning falls short of traditional education, it’s time to challenge the misconceptions you’ve been taught
Imagine this: You’re on the edge of a diving board. Below you, two pools. One has been around for over 100 years and the lifeguard says “Pay me $50,000 and I will enter you into a system where if you work hard, and stick with it long enough, I may give you a paper that says you’re worthy of earning $5–$10/hr more than your peers without this paper. By the way, that paper does not guarantee you’ll make that much more. Oh, and you have to pay back that $50,000 with really high interest. Your parents are telling you to jump.
The other, very few, if any people you know are in there. The life guard is saying “Hey I’m an expert in this field, and I turned my expertise into a comprehensive course and have a growing community of likeminded people. Some of those people do really well and make more than doctors, and some of them make no money at all. It costs 1/20th-1/100th of the other pool, jump in and I promise you a great online education in this field you’re interested in.
99% of people jump into the first pool.
The High Cost of Conformity
Here’s a reality check: many of us don’t blink at the prospect of a $50,000 loan for a college degree but scoff at spending a few hundred dollars on an e-learning course. This isn’t just odd; it’s a glaring example of cognitive dissonance. We’ve been conditioned to believe that a traditional college education is the only path to success, despite the financial burden it often entails.
The Illusion of Guarantees
We’ve been sold the myth that a college degree is a golden ticket. Yet, universities don’t promise you’ll graduate or land your dream job. Now, compare this to e-learning, where skepticism reigns supreme if there’s even a hint of no guarantee. Why the double standard? It’s the cognitive dissonance at play again, holding us back from investing in opportunities that align more closely with our goals.
And I get it, there are a lot of courses out there that make these crazy income claims “We Guarantee You’ll Make $10,000/mo in 90 days Or Your Money Back!”. They feel they need to do this because they haven’t been around as long as the traditional education system. This has steered many people away from E-learning.
Not every E-Learning company does this and it’s changing for the better every year.
Shifting Mindsets for Success
Whether you want to escape the 9–5 grind, or you simply want to earn an extra income from the comfort of your home, it requires a shift in mindset. It’s about valuing practical skills and immediate applicability over the prestige of formal degrees. E-learning offers a gateway to this path, providing the tools to start, for example, an affiliate marketing business, or any venture, with less cost and time than traditional education paths.
I invested a total of ~$50,000 and 6 years of my time in college. I landed a job out of college that paid me $65,000/year and the company said if I work really hard and give them my blood and soul, I could be earning six figures within 5 years. I was working 80 hour weeks including the commute to and from the office.
I’ve invested around $20,000 in E-learning over the past 5 years, and now I work from anywhere I have an internet connection, work anywhere from 20–30 hours per week, and earn significantly more than I did at my first job out of college. Most of the skills I use today that has lead me to earning money online come from one course I spent $2,500 on. I spent more on books in college.
The E-Learning Advantage
E-learning isn’t just another option; it’s often the better choice. It’s cost-effective, quicker, and offers higher-quality education tailored to today’s market needs. You can learn the latest in digital marketing, SEO, and more, directly from experts in the field, all while keeping your day job. This isn’t just education; it’s targeted skill acquisition that puts you on the fast track to independence.
Overcoming Skepticism
Let’s address the elephant in the room: skepticism towards e-learning. Yes, not all courses are created equal. But dismissing the entire realm of e-learning as a scam because some courses cost more than a couple of bucks is like refusing to eat apples because you once had a bad one. It doesn’t make sense. The focus should be on the value provided, not just the price tag.
Call to Action: Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life
If you’re serious about earning an extra buck online, or getting on a path to leave your 9–5, it’s time to challenge your preconceptions. Explore e-learning opportunities with an open mind. Look for courses that offer practical skills in areas like affiliate marketing, where you can start building a side income that has the potential to replace your 9-to-5 job. It’s about making strategic choices for your future.
What Next?
Choosing e-learning over traditional education isn’t just a financial decision; it’s a strategic move towards autonomy and financial independence. It challenges the status quo and asks you to think differently about how you achieve your goals. The first step is recognizing the cognitive dissonance that holds you back. From there, it’s about making informed decisions that align with your aspirations.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to escape the 9-to-5; it’s to build a life where you’re in control. E-learning is a tool that can help you get there, but only if you’re willing to change your mindset. The question isn’t why should you consider e-learning; it’s why haven’t you already?
Over the years I found a introductory course into the space of online marketing that cost $7 bucks. If I found it sooner, I would have saved a lot on my E-learning education. My goal is to reduce the barrier of entry into e-learning to help people like you beat inflation and provide more for your family.
If you’ve ever been curious in the online marketing space, then you can grab my free ebook where I detail how to get started. Everything I learned is in that $7 course that’s on the second page of my website.
*Disclaimer* Just like college, there are no guarantees. If you read my ebook, buy that course, but do nothing, you will earn nothing. Results are 100% dependent on you and my results are 100% due to my work ethic, consistency, and open mind.
