It's Freeee!!!!

​And the best part is…….wait for it….. It’s free!!!  I got to tell you, I love a great bargain.  I usually head straight for the sale rack at the back of a store. Really, I think they should just put them to the front of the store and save me some time. You may have heard of el cheapo but I must confess I am La Cheapa shhhhhhh, don’t tell anyone.  I think my mom would say I inherited that gene from my dad.  You will not find me spending ridiculous amounts of dollars just because it showcases a brand. I’m truly not interested. The point is I am frugal to the bone.  
As an educator, you learn to bargain hunt especially when you are looking for resources for your students.  We, meaning teachers, get overly excited with the free goodie bags at a workshop or conference.  You would think we found the end of the rainbow. Yes, free highlighters!!!!! I know this, any teacher or friend of a teacher reading this blog knows this. So when I am coaching and sharing with fellow educators I enjoy passing on freebie tools and resources I have found.

Breaking News: I don’t take everything that is free!!! Sorry to disappoint my fellow las cheapas but not everything free is worth taking. Just like anything else it must add value.

Here’s an analogy I often use. I love cake, do you? So let’s say you’re offered a piece of carrot cake, yum, my favorite,but you are allergic to nuts.  This carrot cake has walnuts do you take it? Obviously not. But it’s free! Still, why would I take something I can’t use? Or don’t need? Or worse I don’t even like it? 

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Here’s an analogy I often use. I love cake, do you? So let’s say you’re offered a piece of carrot cake, yum, my favorite,but you are allergic to nuts.  This carrot cake has walnuts do you take it? Obviously not. But it’s free! Still, why would I take something I can’t use? Or don’t need? Or worse I don’t even like it?

I say this because I have met some beautiful, fantastic people, with big dreams and visions but they embarked on a learning journey, just because it was free. Guess what happened?

1. They were frustrated.
2. They were disappointed.
3. They were unhappy.
4. They were not motivated.

The worst part is they felt as though they had failed themselves, regretting the decision they made.  They had convinced themselves since it was free and they did not know how to go after the learning they really wanted, it was a good idea. If this is you, at this very moment, you are about to sign onto something that is not apart of the vision you have for yourself, STOP! DON’T DO IT! Say Yes to Learning to what matters to you.

On the things that matter to you, make the investment.  Your learning, is an investment in yourself. For example: If you’ve never been to the gym or had a healthy lifestyle, find the best personal trainer.  I’m not just talking the “show me how to exercise trainer” but the one that will get you on the right track to a healthy lifestyle, mind, body and spirit.  The same applies to your learning, stop taking free advice from family and friends that they themselves truthfully don’t know either.  Yes, we love our family and friends and we think they have our backs, that’s all well and good.  But let me ask you this, would you talk to your doctor about building a house, or would you ask your carpenter for medical advice? Probably not. So why do you think your sister friend who is in the same situation as you can give you sound advice.

Talk to an educational expert, a learning coach and educational planner, a life coach, someone who truly knows how to help you map out and guide you to the learning path you truly desire.

Friends, I want you to “Say YES to Learning!” and yes, there are many free opportunities thanks to technology but make the investment where it counts.  You’re worth it!
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Hi! My name is Tamara Pradel. I’m the Technology Innovation Educationist and your Personal Learning Lifestyle Coach.

​Tamara N. Pradel, MSc, is the Technology Innovation Educationist and your Personal Learning Lifestyle Coach. She loves to inspire and motivate others to develop a lifestyle of life long learning, to use technology in productive and meaningful ways and to bring back the fun in professional development. Who says learning has to be boring? Learn it. Play it. Own it.