Is it worth paying for a course so that you complete it?
Yes. Paying for something hits us hard in the accountability checkbook. The more you pay (and the harder it is to get out of), the more you are committed.
Is it worth paying for a course and telling your friends, significant other, random strangers that you are going to learn X, even if that course is only part of learning X, so that you cannot quit because of pride and accountability?
> Is it worth paying for a course and telling your friends, significant other, random strangers that you are going to learn X, even if that course is only part of learning X, so that you cannot quit because of pride and accountability?
Some people would mentally check-off the task as "done" after making a financial effort.
I learned that lesson when I was 20 and I saved money for weeks (I didn't have a job) to buy Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach. I told my friends how awesome the book was supposed to be. Then when I finally bought it I never got past the first chapter.
I never got rid of the book so that every time I see it I reminds me of that time. I now know that committing financially, or by telling other people about your goals doesn't mean a lot. Committing yourself mentally to the task is what's important.
> Is it worth paying for a course and telling your friends, significant other, random strangers that you are going to learn X, even if that course is only part of learning X, so that you cannot quit because of pride and accountability?
This would kill the initiative for me. As soon as I get excited and tell someone about what awesome thing I am planning to do the likelihood that I will actually complete said thing goes down significantly. A few years ago I saw a TED talk on the topic ("Keep your goals to yourself" by Derek Sivers) and it made perfect sense. Now until I gain enough momentum in a project to feel confident that there's no turning back I just keep it to myself.
No.
Is it worth paying for a course so that you complete it?
Yes. Paying for something hits us hard in the accountability checkbook. The more you pay (and the harder it is to get out of), the more you are committed.
Is it worth paying for a course and telling your friends, significant other, random strangers that you are going to learn X, even if that course is only part of learning X, so that you cannot quit because of pride and accountability?
Big YES.