Checklist: What to do before attempting 15 certifications

Preface: this post is part of the Study Guide: How to Earn 15 Salesforce Certifications series.

Focus. Get in your zone.

Before you attempt something incredible like passing 15 certifications, you have to have a plan.

Follow this checklist to make sure you’re mentally prepared to do this!

#1. Make sure you really want to get a ton of certifications

This step sounds almost silly, but I assure you, this adventure is not for everyone.

This guide is for you if…

• You want to get many certifications, as quickly as possible
• You want to increase your salary / market worth / job prospects as quickly as possible

This guide is NOT for you if…

• You prefer to learn Salesforce through real-world experience and projects
• You have moral objections to getting many certifications (yes, I know there are many of you!)
• You are unable financially to pay for certification exams

Now that that’s out of the picture, if you’re still on board, read on.

#2. Set a goal for yourself. Officially.

Your goal should look something like this: I will earn 10 certifications in 10 months.

That’s a goal I believe is realistic for the average person who can set aside an hour a day to study. You’re welcome to change the numbers based on your own preferences. Just don’t make it too easy.

Now when I say you need to officially set a goal, that means you need to write it down. Write your goal on a piece of paper and put it somewhere where you’ll see it at least once a day. This could be on the door to your room, a poster on your wall, or even your desktop wallpaper.

The key is that you’re reminded of your goal often enough that you feel ashamed if you slack off!

#3. Prepare yourself for failure

You are guaranteed to fail certifications. And if you’re like me, you’ll fail many, many times.

You need to mentally prepare yourself and accept that failure is part of the learning process. Engrain it so deeply in your head that when you see the “FAIL” message on your computer screen after submitting your exam, you don’t feel bad. You have to be prepared to snap back and literally start studying again within the next 5 minutes. More info on this soon.

That said, fail certifications but don’t fail your goal!

#4. Budget your money now

If you’re serious about getting a ton of certifications, you have to be able to pay for it!

• Most certifications range from $200 to $400 for your first attempt
• If you fail a certification, you can retake it an unlimited number of times for 50% of the cost

Let’s do a little bit of math here:

1. Let’s say your goal is to pass 10 certifications
2. On average, a certification will cost $300 on your first attempt
3. Assume you fail each certification once

Your grand total comes out to be $5,000, rounding up to be safe. That’s a ton of money!

This doesn’t even include your annual maintenance exams, although with the recent Three Then Free policy, this comes out to “only” $300 per year.

If you can’t budget $5,000, make budget. Don’t let finances stop you from getting certified.

The reason is simple: getting certified will increase your salary far more than $5,000!
I don’t think it’s unrealistic for 10 certifications to increase your salary by $50,000!

If you still don’t think you can afford $5,000, see if you can convince others to pay for you, such as:

• Your employer – many employers provide learning assistance. If not, ask your boss anyway. This is the best way to fund certifications, so take it seriously
• The government – see if you can get a tax break for learning. If you own your own business, you may be able to tax deduct some of your fees
• Salesforce – there are certification discounts / vouchers from time to time, such as around Dreamforce, class vouchers, attending Destination Success, and the Architect promotion!

Remember, it’ll all be worth it after you pass!

#5. Have a reward in mind

Have a nice reward in mind.

If you’re going to increase your salary by $50,000, it’s not unreasonable to reward yourself with an expensive gift for all your hard work.

Now for this to be a proper gift…

• It must be expensive
• It must be something you want, and not need!
• It must be something you would have never bought otherwise

For example, a trip to that one place you’ve always wanted to go to (Japan)! Or, a Nintendo Switch.

#6. Get a continuous dose of inspiration

These ones always do it for me:

And of course, check out all the latest success stories!

#7. Post your goal in the comments below

Internet fame and shame is a fantastic incentivizer!

Next post: How to pass each certification: The SFDC99 Method!