Do you suffer from Hyper Erudition Disorder as a Blogger?

Guest post by Jara Johnson

As a freelance writer and online business guru, I have the unique privileged of meeting all kinds of people from different walks of life united by the single burning desire to make money online. Whether it is blogging or web site creation, these individuals show a truly remarkable level of dedication and interest. Yet there is something wrong.

It took me a few years before I began to notice it. A subtle trait that was embedded deep within the subconsciousness of the people I worked with. On the surface, they would look like your average entrepreneurs looking to make a splash in a new exciting field. I have since then become very familiar with what I now call Hyper Erudition Disorder (HED) and I can say confidently that the vast majority of the people I work with suffer from this disorder.

What is HED exactly you ask?

Great question. Hyper Erudition Disorder is a sly virus that sits within the subconsciousness of new entrepreneurs, bloggers, website creators, etc. and renders them useless and unable to continue to grow or produce. HED is essential the great ocean that separates the 1% of people who actually find real success online from the 99% of people who drown trying.

Like I said before I get to work with a lot of people, and I am going to use one of my clients to illustrate to you the devastating effects that HED can have on your online career.

Let us look at Mark for example.

Mark began his online career in 2000. After a short welcoming run through the online scams, he found my website Writing for Money.  Mark quickly realized that there is an overflowing amount of free information that will help him start his career making money online. So Mark began education himself through my site and sites like this one. He was the perfect student and soaked everything in. Sounds good right?

Two years later, I hear from Mark again. I was curious to see how he fared in the unforgiving world of the internet. Basically he had a couple failed blogs, but says if he knew what he knows now, that would have been avoided. Two years later, Mark is still researching. Two years later Mark is still learning how to become a successful blogger. Two years later Mark has spent hours and hours learning and has nothing to show for it.

And thus we see the true face of the evilness that is known as Hyper Erudition Disorder. You wouldn’t believe how many people I come across whose stories mirror Mark’s. These people are on all the best sites that teach how to make money online, they get all the monthly newsletters, they are members in all the forums; yet they have nothing to show for it. They are stuck in a stage of “learning” and “planning.”

What is the difference between the 1% who find success and the 99% who drown trying? Of course, that 1% are blessed with business smarts and intelligence, but the biggest difference is action.

The 1% swim, it’s that simple.  They refuse to drown in a never ending current of “how to” blogs and “motivating” websites. They see the horizon of in the distance and keep swimming till they reach it. The 99% are stuck floating in the ocean waiting for some miracle tip or piece of information that will swoop them up and carry them to success.

For some reason there is something really comfortable when you’re in the learning stage. For some reason people get stuck there. For some reason people get terrified of taking that first stroke, that first step. For some reason the vastness of the ocean paralyzes people and they become content just floating and dreaming of their paradise island.

There is nothing wrong with learning. There is nothing wrong with equipping yourself before you start on this journey. But you can’t allow yourself to get stuck. You have to take that first step. Imagine what Mark would have accomplished if he would have those two years back?

You’ve heard the saying hundreds of times, time is money.  Don’t waste your time learning all your time learning. You have to adopt an active mentality if you are going to realize your dream of online success. You have to have the courage to take that first stroke. Because once you do, once you start moving, your confidence will begin to grow.

You’ll realize what seemed like an ocean before is only a lake. You’re goal that was just a blimp in the horizon will be there within reach. Once you start moving, you will pick up moment. Heck, you might event catch a current that will carry you. And you can’t imagine the joy you’ll have when you finally reach your destination, when you finally accomplish your goals.

So, with that being said I leave you with only one question: do you suffer from Hyper Erudition Disorder?

Jara Johnson is a college student by day and a dynamic blogger by night. Despite his youth, Jara has years of experience as a freelance writer, blogger and entrepreneur. You can read more of his work at Writing for Money or follow him on twitter @bigjara.