Are you “learn-crastinating” when it comes to building and monetizing your personal brand online?

No, that’s not really a term. I just made it up to describe the all-too-common roadblock I see get in the way of high-potential personal brands.

You study, observe, witness, reflect, and sharpen the pencil yet again. Look….learning is a great thing, but sometimes our impulse to do so is often a haute couture version of fear.

Fear of putting ourselves out there. Fear of nasty comments. Fear of getting it wrong.

But you can’t learn yourself to success…at some point, you have to take action to execute those learnings.

Pay attention below to learn (pun intended) 3 ways to break out of the learn-crastination loop.

1. Commit to Implementing Before Diving into More Learning ⚙️

We've all been there – that moment when we feel like we need just a little more knowledge before we can take that first step towards our goals. And then, as if by magic, we stumble upon another webinar, course, or book that promises to provide that missing piece of the puzzle.

So, what do we do?

We dive headfirst into the sea of information, hoping to emerge as an expert. But here's the catch – the more we learn without implementing, the deeper we sink into the learning trap. Worse yet, when we are so deep into the learning trap, we can fall victim to “imposter syndrome,” thinking we’ll never get to the place these masters have, and negative self-talk can take over.

The first step to overcoming this trap is simple yet powerful: commit to implementing something before investing more time in learning.

Think about it – what good is knowledge if it's not applied? Make a pact with yourself that you'll take action on at least one key concept from your current knowledge bank before adding more to it. Whether it's setting up a personal website, starting a blog, or creating content on a regular basis, this commitment will pull you out of the cycle of perpetual learning and into the realm of tangible progress.

2. Solicit Feedback: The Fuel for Growth👂🏽

Imagine you’re a newbie to working out and nutrition. You’ve read a ton of books about various diets and training regimens, and you’ve selected a program. You head out to a group workout class for the first time, and during your first Romanian deadlift, even though you’ve researched proper form, the instructor comes over and says, “Your back looks great, but you’re unconsciously locking your knees. Let’s do a slight bend so you don’t pass out.” This is critical, “on-the-court” information that will prevent injury and improve performance.

So, once you've taken that first step by implementing what you've learned, reach out for feedback. It might be a bit nerve-wracking, but remember, feedback is a gift, not a critique. It's a chance to refine your efforts and align them with your audience's needs. Feedback can come from mentors, peers, and your target audience. Embrace it, learn from it, and watch your personal brand evolve into something truly remarkable.

Remember, learning is great, but listening to others’ perceptions of the work you’ve published can help you iterate, hone, and ultimately approve.

3. Shift from Competency Building to Habit Development🏋️‍♂️

Competency is crucial, no doubt about it. But solely focusing on competency can keep you stuck in a never-ending loop of perfectionism. You might feel the need to learn just a little more, practice just a bit harder, before you're "ready" to put yourself out there. But guess what?

💡 The world doesn't wait for perfection; it celebrates progress.

Look, if you've been doing what you've been doing for years and years, you're probably an expert. I know you may not feel like an expert in building your personal brand, but consider that branding and the success of branding are wholly built on consistency. If you're not consistent, you're never going to be able to build your personal brand.

This is where the magic of habit development comes into play. Instead of obsessing over becoming the best, focus on becoming consistent. Consistency breeds recognition, and recognition breeds trust. Make it a habit to produce content regularly, engage with your audience authentically, and refine your personal brand over time.

💡 Remember, personal branding is not a one-time event; it's a journey of growth and refinement.

Developing habits also counteracts the infamous "imposter syndrome." As you consistently take action and see your personal brand evolve, you'll start to internalize your expertise and value. This shift in focus from the quest for ultimate competency to the commitment of building empowering habits can be truly liberating.

So I want to challenge you to start working on your habit of consistency first, instead of taking yet another course about how to build your personal brand, and this is coming from somebody who has courses about building your personal brand! Then after 30 days of doing that, come back, test and refine, and see where you might need to optimize.

Your Journey, Your Brand

The learning trap can be enticing, offering the illusion of progress through the accumulation of knowledge. But true progress comes from action, feedback, and the consistent development of empowering habits. Committing to implementing before diving into more learning puts you in the driver's seat of your journey. Soliciting feedback transforms you from a solo traveler to a collaborative creator. Shifting your focus from competency building to habit development empowers you to showcase your evolving expertise with authenticity.

So, let's take a moment to reflect. Are you ready to break free from the learning trap and set your personal brand on a path of dynamic growth? Remember, every step you take, no matter how small, is a step toward your own version of success. Your journey. Embrace it, nurture it, and let it shine.✨