When I first started working on myself, I had no idea what I was doing.
I signed up for every class that said it would “change my life,” assuming that if I kept learning, I would ultimately understand everything.
But what’s the truth?
I was eating a lot but not making much progress.
Some classes didn’t help at all.
Some held promise, but I wasn’t in the right place or frame of mind to take advantage of them.
In the end, I had to take it easy and be more deliberate.
I stopped jumping at every bright chance and started picking classes based on what I really needed.
Things started to change then.
Here are ten things I’ve learnt about how to choose the proper personal development course.
These things helped me stop wasting time and ultimately start learning in a way that stuck.
How to find a good self-improvement course online
1. Focus on What You Really Need Right Now
I used to think I had to repair everything all at once: my relationships, my routines, my attention, and my confidence.
I felt stuck and overwhelmed when I tried to do it all.
It helped to question myself, “What’s bothering me the most right now?”
For me, it was a lack of confidence in social and work situations.
After I understood it, it was a lot easier to select a course that made sense.
Related: 10 Ways To Invest In Yourself And Make Your Life More Meaningful
2. Don’t Fall for Flashy Names
Some of the courses with the best names, such as “Unlock Limitless Growth” and “Master Your Mind,” were the most underwhelming.
They sounded strong, yet they were basically empty.
Now I care more about the content than the hoopla.
I want to see if the course describes genuine outcomes, has useful takeaways, and deals with my unique problems.
3. The Teacher Is Very Important
A good instructor may influence how you think.
A not-so-good one? They’ll only make things worse.
I do a short background check before I sign up.
I search for someone whose tale I can relate to or whose way of teaching I like.
You can be fussy here.
Related: How to Make Your Life Feel Like a Movie
4. You Can Learn More from Reviews Than You Think
I used to just look at star ratings and move on.
I really do read the reviews now.
I want to hear what folks really learned from the class.
Did it help them make better choices?
Did it change the way they think?
There’s a good probability that I’ll find actual value in the identical problem that someone else is having.
5. Choose a Format That Works for You
Not all formats are the same.
Some folks really like video lectures.
Some people like to do things with their hands or write in a journal.
I remember more when I read, think about, and use what I’ve learned right immediately.
So now I always question myself, “Is this course a good fit for my learning style?”
6. Be Honest About What You Can Do
I used to sign up for long, hard classes, expecting I would find time to do them.
Spoiler: I didn’t.
Now I wonder if I can really devote 30 minutes a day on something.
If the response is no, I wait or look for something shorter.
It’s better to do something you can handle than to give up halfway through.
7. Start Small to Get Things Going
Taking a short course on daily habits was one of the best things I ever done.
It didn’t change my life overnight, but it provided me a quick win that made me feel more confident about tackling greater problems later.
Even small steps forward are steps forward.
8. Put What You Learn to Use Right Away
It’s simple to watch a whole course and then move on.
But if you don’t use what you’ve learned, you’ll forget it quickly.
Even doing something as simple as trying out a new way to talk to others helps the knowledge stick and makes it seem like it was worth your time.
9. Think About It Before You Start the Next One
Before I start the next course, I question myself, “What did I really learn from the last one?”
Did it change the way I think, feel, or act?
This perspective helps me stay on track and not merely jump from one interesting topic to the next.
10. Take a Moment to Be Happy About How Far You’ve Come
Personal progress doesn’t always happen in big ways.
It can be as simple as dealing with stress better, speaking up in a meeting, or adhering to a new schedule for a few more days than usual.
Now, I make sure to notice those wins.
It makes me remember that growth is growth, even if it’s slow.
10 Personal Development Classes That Are Actually Worth Your Time
If you’re ready to get into something specific, here are ten courses that either helped me directly or that individuals I trust strongly suggest.
These aren’t just fads; they’re useful, well-organized, and based on real-life experience.
- Dr. Barbara Oakley’s Mindshift (Coursera)
Great if you feel stuck or like your beliefs are holding you back.
It helps you change the way you think and get beyond mental blockages. - Dr. Barbara Oakley’s “Learning How to Learn” (Coursera)
A excellent course for increasing your memory, focus, and how you remember new things.
It’s especially helpful if you have trouble staying on track. - Dr. Laurie Santos’s The Science of Well-Being (Yale/Coursera)
This course is based on science and will help you achieve permanent happiness by changing your behaviors and way of thinking. - Mindvalley’s Superbrain by Jim Kwik
Concentrates on mental performance, like speed-reading, memorization, and getting things done without getting tired. - Giovanni Dienstmann’s “Mastering Self-Discipline” (Udemy)
A great way to stop putting things off and build enduring inner strength. - Alex Lyon’s Speak with Confidence (LinkedIn Learning)
This course gives you simple, doable ways to feel more confident when you speak in front of a group if you are nervous about it. - James Clear’s Atomic Habits Academy (Coming Soon)
The author of Atomic Habits is going to teach a course that is expected to be one of the best at helping people create good habits. - Jonathan Levi’s Become a Super Learner (Udemy)
This program is great for personal or professional growth since it helps you read faster, remember things better, and learn more quickly. - Robin Hills’s Emotional Intelligence (Udemy)
It helps you understand your feelings and connect with other people better, which is helpful in both your personal and professional life. - Tony Robbins’s Personal Power
A deep dive into your thinking, purpose, and how to develop a life that represents your beliefs and ambitions.
In the end, it’s not about how many things you have, but how well they all work together.
It’s not important how many classes you’ve taken; what’s important is whether those classes helped you grow.
When I stopped gathering knowledge and started making choices on purpose, that’s when things really changed for me.
I concentrated on what I needed most, chose forms that worked for my life, and promised to use what I learned.
You don’t have to repair everything right now.
Choose one area that is most important to you right now.
Pick a course that speaks to it directly and start there.
A lot of new information doesn’t lead to real growth.
It happens when you make one tiny, honest move in the correct way.
- 10 Best Personal Development Courses Online - 16/05/2025
- 157 Charming Vintage Baby Names (With Meanings) - 12/05/2025
- 8 Signs You Are in a Narcissistic Relationship - 12/05/2025