You’ve most likely been told that investing in the stock market or a 401k is a wise career decision. But did they tell you that investing in yourself is equally as important? When we hear the word “invest,” you might automatically think in terms of money, but our time and energy are also valuable resources that can be invested. Just like with any relationship, the more time and energy you put in, the more you learn about each other and the more you grow together.
So, what does it mean to invest in yourself?
Investing in yourself means taking action right now to best benefit your future self. It means not waiting around for circumstances to magically fall into your lap, but rather going out and creating them yourself. Self-investment can be hard work, but your future self will definitely thank you.
Here are a few ways you can begin investing in yourself today:
1. Prioritize Yourself.
While this sounds obvious enough, many people, including me, are guilty of putting their jobs, friends, family, etc. before their own needs. Just like oxygen masks on an airplane, you need to tend to your own wellbeing before you attend to other people. If you put only 50% of your effort in because you are exhausted, then you will only get 50% out. I know it’s easy to say and much harder to do.
When I thought about this bullet point, I was also reminded that one of the most important things you can do in prioritizing yourself is finding time to spend with God. Whether that's carving out time to read your bible or daily devotional, feeding your soul with His words is the best thing you can do for yourself and most importantly, your future.
2. Learn New and Valuable Skills
Whether it’s learning how to navigate a new graphic design program or take a Master Class on how to write a movie manuscript, to everything in between, the more skills you learn and perfect, the more you will be a valuable asset to any team. Where do you want to be in 5 years? What skill set will you need to achieve that? What will look impressive on your resume as furthering education? Once you determine those points, then it’s time to start your self-improvement journey.
3. Network!
I know we’ve mentioned networking in many of our posts, but that’s only because it's that important! Try to attend networking events (locally or virtually) where you know people in your (dream) industry will be present. You can even use social media (like LinkedIn!) to strike up a conversation with someone you admire. While it can be intimidating to reach out to others, learning how they got their start and what advice they have could be just what you need to hear to achieve your goals.
4. Hire a Career or Life Coach
Have you tried all of the above but still aren’t seeing the progress you hoped you’d be making? It might be time to look into hiring a career or life coach! Just like the name implies, a career/life coach can help fill in the blanks in your business/life plans and give you valuable tips that cater directly to your needs. What works for one person might not work for your goals, which is why having personalized help can be just the game changer you needed.
While businesses are created and fall through in an endless cycle, there is only one of you, which makes the investments you put into your own wellbeing and future the most important of them all. Remember to not take on more than you can handle, but make sure you’re still pushing yourself in healthy ways to be better.
As I’ve always said, someone is going to be successful, so it might as well be you.
Well, that’s all I have for now!
A special thanks to Riley Koerner for their assistance with this blog.