Summary

The author reflects on their decision not to take Tim Denning's writing course after encountering an article suggesting significant earnings from following the course's advice.

Abstract

Upon waking up with existential questions about purpose and income, the author stumbles upon an article touting substantial earnings by James Perez, attributed to Tim Denning's writing advice. Initially skeptical, the author critically assesses the article, ultimately dismissing it as satire, feeling relieved and vindicated for not spending money on the course. However, doubts resurface when considering the possibility of the article's authenticity and the potential earnings reported. The author concludes by acknowledging the inevitability of missed opportunities and the importance of learning from failures, planning for the future, and moving forward without dwelling on what might have been.

Opinions

The author exhibits skepticism towards clickbait articles and the potential benefits of online courses.
There is a sense of smug satisfaction in deciding not to invest in the course, which is later tempered by doubt.
The author values introspection and personal growth, suggesting that maintaining a "failure journal" can be beneficial.
The article implies that focusing on past missed opportunities is less productive than learning from them and moving on.
The author promotes resilience and adaptability, emphasizing the importance of personal progress over stagnation.
There is a subtle endorsement of Medium as a platform, with a suggestion to subscribe for unlimited access to articles.
The author uses humor and self-deprecation to engage the reader and convey their message.

I Didn’t Take Tim Denning’s Course & This Is What Happened!

Today, I woke up feeling groggy and confused. I had one big question bouncing around in my head. What do I get up for and how can I make more money so that I have enough to live on for the rest of my life?

Okay, so technically that's 2 questions but like I said I was a bit groggy and confused.

I opened up Medium to see a click bait article by James Perez. The headline screamed out at me: Tim Denning’s Advice Made Me $1,367,889.68 on March 1st, 2022

I was intrigued by the connection to Tim Denning. Part of me was screaming don't do it. Don't click the bloody button. It's going to be garbage. Just move on.

I couldn't do it. I had to know if I had missed out. Had I screwed up my miserable life even more by not doing Tim's course on 'how to write on Linkedin?' And what about the follow up one on editing? I just had to know if I had missed out. I braced myself, took a slurp of lukewarm coffee and plunged myself into the contents.

It was an unusual piece. A little bit artistic, a little bit funny. My little grey cells were working overtime. Could this possibly be true. Truth disguised as humour? It was a tough call but in the end I flipped a coin and decided once and for all it was just a well written joke.

Once I had decided it was satire I was free to be jubilant. Here was my proof. I hadn't screwed up by declining the course.

A warm glow of smug self satisfaction flowed through my veins. I was triumphant. I had made the right decision not to pay the $350 bucks or whatever it was to learn how to write on Linkedin.

That warm glow of vindication flowed through me like a snail on acid and then it hit me. I had also turned down the follow up editing course. Yippee! Double celebration.

I was midway through my victory lap of the bedroom when it suddenly dawned on me that there was a screenshot of all the money Medium would be paying out to James.

Could the article actually be true?

Did that old dog James Perez actually make a ton of money on Medium by following Tim Denning's advice?

I was confused.

Did I miss out by not taking one of Tim's courses?

Should I join the haters club or not?

Will I ever get over this?

I don't know.

What I do know is that we often miss out on opportunities. When that happens we have a choice. Focus on what we have lost, cry in our  chicken soup and languish in pain at what might have been. Or, start a failure journal. Log the failure, set out what you learned and how it has helped you. Then make a plan, move on and eat that chicken soup nice and hot with a fresh crisp bread roll.

The scariest spot to be in is the same place as last year — Dan Go

If you liked this you might also like 10 Uncomfortable Truths the Tinder Swindler & Puppet Master Teach Us.

Like what you just read? For only $5 a month, you can read unlimited stories like this when you sign up here. I get a commission when you sign up using my link, but you get unlimited access to all articles on Medium.com. Cool deal right? Here’s the link again.

Live Strong, Love & Prosper.

P.S

Join my email list with zero subscribers to get more mediocre life changing advice - I mean superb advice.