So you’ve decided it’s time to create an online course. You’re brimming with ideas and passion, but then you hit a roadblock: the intimidating world of industry jargon. Words like “drip feeding,” “sales funnel,” and “ideal learner avatar” swirl around your head, and suddenly, the dream of building your course business feels like it’s slipping away. You’re not alone. Many aspiring course creators face this same challenge. But what’s behind this feeling of being overwhelmed, and how can you overcome it to start creating the course of your dreams? Let’s dive into the psychology of self-sabotage and explore practical tips to demystify the course creation lingo.

The Psychology of Feeling Overwhelmed

Stepping into a new and unfamiliar domain can be a daunting experience. When you’re faced with a sea of new terminology and concepts, it’s natural to feel out of your depth. This sense of overwhelm often triggers self-sabotaging behaviours—those pesky habits that derail our progress before we even get started.

At the heart of this issue lies a psychological phenomenon known as the “Impostor Syndrome”. This is when individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as a fraud. When you encounter industry jargon and complex terms, it can exacerbate these feelings of inadequacy. You might think, “If I don’t understand these terms, maybe I’m not cut out for this after all.” This internal dialogue creates a perfect storm for self-sabotage.

Another psychological factor is “Fear of Failure”.The idea of creating something new and unfamiliar brings with it the risk of failure. The jargon can amplify this fear, making the whole process seem more complex, almost out-of-reach and fraught with potential pitfalls. Instead of embracing the challenge, you might find yourself avoiding it altogether, thus self-sabotaging your efforts.

“Analysis Paralysis” is another common issue. When faced with too much information or too many new terms, your brain can get stuck in a loop of overthinking. You might spend more time trying to understand every term perfectly instead of taking actionable steps toward course creation.

Did I mention that I have a degree in Primary School Teaching and another one in Human Resource Management, which included a heavy dose of modules around adult education (andragogy)? I topped all of this with a very hands-on training facilitator course and years of working in the Learning & Development arena. The reason I mention this is not to show off but to share with you that with all this background, I often felt very intimidated at the beginning. Whilst many areas of creating a course business were familiar to me, almost as many areas were new and unknown and it was very scary. It is very easy to watch years slipping by being stuck in one of our self-sabotaging behaviours just because we don’t know or understand certain things, and I don’t want this for you.

Understanding these psychological barriers is the first step to overcoming them. Remember, feeling overwhelmed is a natural response to new challenges, but it doesn’t mean you’re incapable. It just means you need the right tools and strategies to navigate this new terrain confidently.

5 Practical Tips to Conquer the Jargon Jungle

Now that we’ve tackled the psychological hurdles, let’s focus on practical strategies to get you familiar with course creation lingo quickly and effectively.

1. Start with a Jargon Cheat Sheet

One of the easiest ways to get acquainted with industry terms is to create or find a jargon cheat sheet. A cheat sheet is a condensed reference that includes the most frequently used terms and their definitions. By having this at your fingertips, you can quickly look up unfamiliar terms without feeling overwhelmed. For instance, you might create a document with terms like “CRM System,” “Lead Magnet,” and “Sales Funnel,” accompanied by clear, concise explanations and examples. This document doesn’t need to be exhaustive—just a starting point to help you become more comfortable with the basics. Once you’re familiar with these core terms, you’ll find that understanding additional jargon becomes much easier.

I usually dedicate the last 10 pages of my notebook to jot down unfamiliar terms and their explanations. This way it’s always at hand and I can refer to it easily. And it’s another good excuse to use my favourite stationery items.

2. Engage with Industry Content

Another effective way to get familiar with the lingo is to immerse yourself in industry content. This can include blogs, podcasts, webinars, and videos created by experienced course creators. Listening to experts talk about course creation and reading their content will expose you to the terminology in context, making it easier to grasp. For example, subscribe to podcasts that focus on online course creation or follow blogs from industry leaders. Pay attention to how they use and explain terms. This will help you see how the jargon fits into the broader picture of course creation and make it less intimidating.

My other favourite method is to read books about building a course business, so if you’re up for some delicious Amazon browsing, here are my current favourites:

• Make Money While You Sleep: The Ultimate Guide to Online Course Creation by Lucy Griffiths (2020)

• Million Dollar Micro Business: How to Build a Profitable Online Business in Your Spare Time by Tina Tower (2020)

• Course Creation Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing and Launching Your Online Course by Jimmy Naraine (2021)

3. Join Online Communities

Joining online communities such as forums, Facebook groups, or LinkedIn groups dedicated to course creation can be incredibly helpful. Engaging with these communities allows you to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others who are in the same boat. For instance, participating in a Facebook group for course creators will expose you to the terms and concepts used by others in the field. Which reminds me: we have just the right FB group for you: Self-Sabotage Interrupted, where online course creators who are actively working to managing their self-sabotaging behaviours mingle and exchange experiences. Make sure to join!

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or advice. Most group members are more than willing to help and explain terms in a way that’s easy to understand. This peer-to-peer learning can be both reassuring and educational.

4. Take a Course or Workshop

Enrolling in a beginner’s course or workshop focused on course creation can provide structured learning about the industry lingo. Many educational platforms offer courses specifically designed to introduce you to the basics of course creation, including the key terms and concepts. By participating in these programs, you gain a comprehensive overview of the industry while simultaneously learning the jargon. For example, a workshop might cover topics like “Creating Your First Online Course” and include explanations of terms like “Blended Learning” and “Drip Feeding.” This hands-on approach not only helps you understand the terms but also provides practical insights into applying them.

Keep coming back to my website, or better yet, sign-up to my newsletter, because a new workshop that might be just the very thing you need is being launched here soon. So stay tuned!

5. Use Practical Examples

Finally, putting terms into practice through real-life examples can solidify your understanding. Try to connect each term with a tangible example related to course creation. For instance, if you’re learning about “Sales Funnels,” map out a simple funnel for your course. Define the stages—from awareness (e.g., a blog post) to decision (e.g., a sales page) to action (e.g., course purchase). By working through these examples, you’ll see how the jargon applies to actual course creation scenarios, making it less abstract and more manageable. Creating visual aids or diagrams can also help in visualising and remembering these concepts.

Feeling intimidated by industry jargon is a common experience for many aspiring course creators, but it’s something you can overcome with the right strategies. Understanding the psychology behind your fears and taking practical steps to familiarise yourself with the terminology will boost your confidence and set you on the path to success.

To help you further on this journey, I’ve created a special resource just for you: The Essential Jargon Guide. This free document includes explanations for 35 industry terms that will help you navigate the world of online course creation with ease. To get your hands on this valuable guide, simply sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Each week, I share exclusive content and resources to support you on your course creation journey.

Also, don’t forget to join our private Facebook group, Self-Sabotage Interrupted. It’s a supportive community where you can share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs who are also working to overcome self-sabotaging tendencies. Let’s support each other and make our course creation dreams a reality!

Remember, you’re not alone in this, and with a bit of guidance and practice, you’ll soon be navigating the world of course creation jargon like a pro. You’ve got this!