This here... I have a professionally managed portfolio at Edward Jones, I got some money back after a property deal that went south. I met this white cat at a lounge, he was a former nurse now Financial Advisor and I was a former Counselor now entrepreneur. Long story short I was like I like dude and he had 20% returns for his clients that year. Started meeting with him monthly and learning. I invested enough money with him to make it worthwhile for him and me, but since Ive started doing my own investing, I paid for some courses that like you said was a waste. It was pretty much same info out here but I was looking for the shortcut and or 'the way'. Ive realized you have to have a relationship with your expectation and your style. Last year I got back about 40% return, I know almost everybody had good years, but I got way more then the 7-10% average which Im good with.
I did options maybe 3-4 months... Had some great gains but seem to lose every single time I thought I knew what I was doing. Sobered me up back into my lane. Now? I invest into my ETFs, good growth stocks, and I take a couple educated swings at the fence that have been good (ie. Draftkings, Celh)
The biggest take away for me and my style is.... time.... If you invest in good companies, in 3-7-10-20 years you will outperform the bank and the markets. I got in Sq, Shop, Apple, Disney, QQQ, years ago...... They have all have had AMAZING returns.