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I was down to my last $1000.
The rent was due. The lights were about to get cut off. And the job market of 2009 was brutal—a recession that had everyone scrambling for security.
But instead of paying my rent, I made a decision that seemed insane at the time.
I spent $800 on a digital marketing certification from NYU.
My friends thought I was crazy. “Pay your bills first,” they said. But something inside me knew this wasn’t just about surviving the month. It was about building a future where I wouldn’t have to worry about rent again.
What happened next wasn’t pretty.
I was out of work for five months.
The electricity got shut off.
The internet was gone.
I was three months behind on rent.
I had to run an extension cord from my apartment to the building lobby just to have lights at night.
But then, the gamble paid off.
I landed a job at Omniture that paid more than I’d ever made before—plus stock options.
Three months later, Adobe acquired Omniture. My stock converted to Adobe shares.
Within five months, I went from having $7 in my pocket to a six-figure salary and a growing stock portfolio.
Here’s what I learned: When you invest in yourself, the return is exponential.
As Jim Rohn said, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”
The Self-Education Advantage
The most successful people I know aren’t just passively consuming information—they’re actively investing in knowledge that compounds over time.
They don’t wait for permission or credentials. They identify opportunities and move toward them with intention.
But here’s the thing about self-education that most people miss: it’s not about learning everything. It’s about learning the right things at the right time.
Your Self-Education Framework
Not sure what to focus on? Ask yourself these three questions:
- What problem are people willing to pay to solve right now?
- In 2009, companies needed digital marketers who understood analytics. Today, it might be AI implementation, storytelling, or specialized technical skills.
- What unique perspective can I bring to this problem?
- Your background, experiences, and existing skills create a unique lens that no one else has. This is your edge.
- What’s the fastest path to demonstrating expertise?
- Is it a certification? Building a portfolio? Creating case studies? Identify the shortest distance between where you are and where you want to be.
Then use this prompt to focus your learning path:
“I want to solve [specific problem] for [specific audience]. Given my background in [your experience], what are the three most valuable skills or knowledge areas I should develop in the next 90 days to position myself as a valuable resource?”
The answer to this isn’t just more information—it’s strategic knowledge that creates actual opportunities.
Terry’s Recommendation Zone
If you’re serious about investing in yourself this year, there’s one event you can’t miss.
The Thrive 2025 Event isn’t just another conference. It’s a complete blueprint for self-education that works—regardless of your goal.
Whether you’re looking to level up in your career, launch a business, or simply find more purpose and fulfillment, this event will give you the framework, mindset, and tactical steps to make it happen.
What makes this different? It’s not about generic advice. It’s about specific, actionable strategies that turn knowledge into results—the kind that transform $7 into six figures.
The Real ROI of Self-Education
When I think about that $800 investment in 2009, the return wasn’t just financial.
It was confidence. Options. Freedom.
I didn’t just learn digital marketing—I learned that with the right knowledge, I could create opportunity out of crisis.
That’s what real self-education delivers. Not just information, but transformation.
So ask yourself: What’s the certification, course, or event that could change everything for you? What’s the investment that seems scary now but could redefine your future?
Because the difference between where you are and where you want to be isn’t just effort—it’s strategic knowledge applied with intention.
Your future self will thank you for investing now.
Stay Savage,
Terry
PS: The Thrive 2025 Event isn’t just another seminar—it’s the exact kind of strategic investment that can completely reshape your trajectory. I’ve seen firsthand how the right education at the right time can change everything. Reserve your spot now and make this the year you stop playing small.
Find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or book a 1:1 call.
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