Buyer’s remorse sucks eggs. Let’s not do that again, okay?
We’ve all been there, huh? You were so frickin’ excited about the thing. You dropped your credit card number. And then. . .
. . . what? What happened along the way that made you drop off, not feel like you got what you paid for, or regret purchasing?
It’s really a horrible feeling, isn’t it? And it makes your face do that little cringy scrunchy thing when you think of how else you could’ve spent that money. You go there in your mind, and then the self-sabotage bullshit becomes ruminating.
If you’re a shiny-thing chaser like me, then maybe you relate. Us quick-start visionary alien beings love the full-body yes, and are great at acting on it. But we may quickly realize we’ve bitten off such a huge extra bite that it’s choking us.
And worse. . .
. . . we feel the buyer’s remorse like a heartache.
As a shiny-thing provider, one of my worst days happened when—only after the thing was done and I had no chance of creating a better experience for the client—they complained.
So, I’m starting this “How to get the most out of any group program you purchase” with this:
Communicate before, during, and after the program.
#1 Communication is key to a juicy life
If my client had read the landing page thoroughly, asked a few more questions, and/or given feedback along the way (which I happily asked for), then the complaint wouldn’t have been necessary.
In the case where the person providing the program isn’t communicating or ghosts you, I’m sorry. That sucks. But most of us really want to make people happy, deliver on our promises, and over-deliver on the experience. But we’re not mind readers. So that’s the first tip this year—communicate more often than not. Magic could happen.
#2 Those who are brave get what they want
This is a continuation of communication, but specifically speaking up when you’re afraid to.
Oh, I don’t want to bother them.
There’s probably no chance they could change things for me.
I don’t want to be the squeaky wheel.
It’s too late to say anything.
I’m going to look like a fool if I speak up (or some variation of ‘What will they think of me?’).
There are a million more versions of these inner thoughts that talk you out of communicating when you’re afraid of the consequences. Having the courage to ask, speak up, or make a new suggestion just might get you exactly what you want. It also might delight the provider, because you gave them a chance to improve. Just ask. Feel that fear and speak up anyway.
Connect with others in the program
Signing up for a group program and not connecting with the other students or members is like throwing money away. Much of the value in a group is in the brilliance of each participant, not just the organizer, main instructor, or coach. The networking aspect of a group program is gold. Do not forget to set aside time to reach out to other participants and set up get-to-know-you chats. You may just find a new bestie, as well as a partner to hold you accountable to the program’s goals. This is part of what you’re paying for, whether it’s stated like that or not. It’s the hidden return on investment that not many people take advantage of.
Once you start meeting people, aim to be a connector. This is a bonus step that will create business-building and life-thriving magic for you. Want to read more about authentic networking? I wrote a book about it. Grab your copy of Networking for Healers HERE.
Be curious about your own resistance
When I’m feeling remorseful, resentful, or any other version of grumpy about something I’m involved in that isn’t going how I envisioned, I pause and check in with myself first. I get curious, and I ask myself a lot of questions. Those may sound like:
What’s here for me to learn?
How can I ask for more support?
Where am I feeling this in my body?
Does this feel like any time in the past?
How is what happening for me?
How can I turn this feeling around?
What else is possible?
These are all powerful questions that can change your circumstances in profound ways if you’re willing to pause in the discomfort and take responsibility for feeling it first before you react.
I remember talking to a friend about a particular mastermind group I’m in: “I feel like such an outcast in there that I’m always afraid to speak up. Nobody seems to want to talk business. Maybe I’m in the wrong place.”
I slowed my inner critic thought train down and did a few more one-to-one chats with members. Getting to know them helped me tremendously. When I go to meetings and see their faces, I instantly am inspired and excited to be there because we know each other that much better. It’s a huge key to getting the most out of any program you’re in.
Focus on one thing at a time
This is very difficult for me. I’m so guilty of taking on way too much all the time. At one point in 2024, I dabbled in five different group programs. That’s way too many, in case you were wondering. If I did 2024 over again, I’d pick two and focus on deepening relationships versus starting a bunch of new ones for many of the reasons already stated.
If you’re in the middle of any group program right now and feel discouraged, it’s not too late to turn that feeling around and receive massive impact. Connect with the program organizer and communicate your feelings with an open mind and heart. Connect with other members and get to know them with the spirit of seeing how you can help them. Be curious about the opportunity this is bringing you to transform. You may be able to turn things around and experience the best of it yet!
One of the most profound group experiences Brave Healer Productions provides is our expert book collaboration projects. Our mission is to provide the best collaborative book publishing experience on the planet. If you’d like to learn more about which is the best fit for you this year, visit our projects page HERE.
