Recently, I invested a hefty sum in a mastermind and a few courses. 

I invest at least 20% of my revenue back into my business for mentors, courses, and marketing. 

I like to do a combination of technical training and personal development courses. 

A friend recently asked me why I keep investing in mentors and courses. 

"Don't you know everything you need to know to be successful?" 

Did Steph Curry stop practicing after he won two consecutive MVP awards? 

Did he stop practicing after he won four NBA championships in six years? 

Hell no. 

He's practicing harder than ever. 

NFL quarterback Russell Wilson invests over $1 million a year in trainers, nutritionists, and mindset coaches. 

Top CEOs invest in executive coaches so they can stay at the top of their game. 

Top salespeople keep learning and honing their sales skills. 

It's more competitive than ever out there. 

Business and technology are in constant flux, changing faster than ever. 

The "best of the best" invest in themselves to stay one step ahead of the competition. 

As Brian Tracy said, "You need to be a continuous learner to be successful". 

When you invest with the best mentors, they want you to succeed. 

They genuinely care about you, your business, and your family. 

If they don't, find a new mentor. 

The best mentors have a vested interest in you and your success. 

They don't want you to succeed only so you'll continue paying them. 

The best mentors love to see you succeed. 

The money is an added benefit to them. 

There's no better feeling than watching one of my clients have a huge breakthrough. 

Great mentors share tips with you they don't share publicly. 

Those subtle tweaks that turn a successful campaign into a grand slam. 

Or that shift in perspective that opens up new possibilities you couldn't see before. 

Would Colonel Sanders share his fried chicken recipe with a total stranger? 

Would Coke share their secret formula with you? 

Would your competitors share their business strategies with you? 

Fat chance. 

When you "pay to play" with the best, they'll share their secret formula with you. 

I keep my finger on the pulse of the big players in the marketing and social media world. 

It saddens me to see most are teaching strategies and tactics that worked five years ago. 

They know these strategies no longer work. 

They're not using these strategies and tactics in their business because they found a better way. 

Their new tactic is making them a lot of money, but they guard it like the KFC secret recipe. 

They won't even share their new strategies with their best friend. 

They prefer to churn through customers who invest their hard-earned money to learn outdated strategies. 

I've been burned by some of these guys. 

I bet you've been burned too. 

They create a slick marketing campaign that makes you think "This is the missing piece that will put me over the top". 

Unfortunately, it only drains your bank account and leaves you searching for "the next big thing" that turns your business into a personal ATM. 

These guys prey on people searching for hope. 

Hope you'll get out of debt. 

Hope you can create consistent revenue for their business. 

Hope you can run a successful business AND spend quality time with your friends and family. 

I invest in myself so I can stay at the top of my game. 

I could ride off into the sunset, but I'm not done. 

The life expectancy in the US dropped to 76 last year so I want to make the most of the dozen or so years I have left (I plan to be around for a lot longer than 76. My grandfather made it to 104). 

I don't want to be remembered as one of those guys who sold "hope" to biz op seekers. 

I want to be remembered as one of those guys who taught you how to build a successful business the right way. 

A business that will outlast its owner. 

How do you want to be remembered? 

Let me know in the comments. 

About the author 

Ted Prodromou

Would you like me to help you?

I'm the #1 best-selling author of Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn for Business and Ultimate Guide to Twitter for Business. People call me America's Leading LinkedIn Coach.

I'm the founder of Search Marketing Simplified, LLC, a full service online marketing agency. The SMS team designs and implements advanced LinkedIn and social media lead-generation strategies for small to medium-sized businesses. SMS will set up and manage your marketing funnels using organic, social and paid traffic.

Did you know I've been working with the internet since 1991, long before Al Gore invented it?

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