Because we should always be getting better! Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do to improve your life and achieve your goals.
Indeed, whether you want to advance in your career, start your own business, or simply live a happier, more fulfilling life, investing in yourself is the key to success. But, how? Well, here are a few ways to get started.
Do this to Invest in Yourself
Invest in your education
Wasn’t it Ben Franklin that said that an investment in knowledge pays the best dividends?
Lifelong learning is essential for personal and professional growth. Consider taking classes, attending workshops, or pursuing a degree in a field that interests you. Online learning platforms, such as Coursera, edX and Udemy, make it easy and affordable to learn new skills from the comfort of your own home.
Think on your goals and be strategic. If you just want to be more effective as a human, study psychology or the specific issue that troubles you. Like if you tend to procrastinate a lot, you can check out productivity resources and things like the Pomodoro Method.
On the other hand, if you’re targeting a specific job, then you might need particular educational credentials for that.
Build your network
Your network is your net worth, as they say. The people you surround yourself with can open doors and provide opportunities that you never thought possible. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and actively seek out new connections in your field.
Purge your network
The other side of the coin is to distance yourself from people that bring you down and hold you back. It’s harder if they’re family, but you can always put at least some more distance than you have right now. As I read in a Robert Greene book, “avoid the unhappy and unlucky”. That doesn’t mean you need to be harsh, immoral, or an a-hole, but the general point still stands: don’t let negative influences bring you down.
So, weaken you connections to the Debbie Downers, and strengthen your links to the happy and ambitious.
Take care of your physical and mental health
Your health is your wealth. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for achieving your goals and living a happy life. Make sure to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Prioritize mental health by practicing self-care and seeking help when needed.
Pretty simple. If your physical or mental health is in bad shape, you’ll be seriously held back in all areas of your life. It’s like trying to run in the mud.
As always, start small. Walk, do some YouTube workout videos, download and start using a meditation app. Just start!
Develop a strong work ethic
Having a strong work ethic will help you achieve your goals, both in your career and in your personal life. Set goals for yourself, create a schedule, and stick to it. Learn to manage your time and prioritize your tasks.
Easier said than done, of course. The best advice I can give you, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, is to start small. Also:
- Try to do work that you enjoy or at least are curious about. That way, you won’t have to constantly will yourself to do it or do it because you have to. If you can’t do work that you enjoy right now, make a plan to get there in the future.
- Switch constantly between tasks. I find that this keeps you more productive than trying to force yourself to do the same task for hours. It keeps things fresh in your mind.
Cultivate a growth mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that you can improve and grow through effort and learning. Instead of focusing on limitations, focus on possibilities. Embrace challenges and learn from failures. ‘Nuff said.
“It’s always your fault”
Well, not really. Not literally. The idea is not to blame yourself for everything, but think of things you can do so that it turns out better the next time. Kind of like defensive driving. A traffic accident might not have been your fault, but perhaps you could have avoided it anyways by driving less aggressively.
Learn to manage your finances
Quite literally, invest in yourself. Financial literacy is a crucial part of adulting. Learn to budget, save, and invest your money. Understand the basics of stocks, bonds, and other investment options.
Oh, and be sure to budget. It will save you a lot of grief and put you in control of your money. Otherwise, you’re just flying blind. With a budget, you’ll know exactly what you can and cannot afford, and you can save up for future expenses or wish-list items. I use the YNAB app.
Cultivate your talents and passions
Your talents and passions are what make you unique and bring you joy. Take the time to explore and develop your talents and passions. This will not only increase your enjoyment of life but also enhance your career opportunities.
If you force yourself to constantly do what you don’t like, it will eventually catch up to you and wear you out. Be real with yourself. And if you can’t be real with yourself right now, make a plan and start executing it with the smallest of steps.
Summing It Up
Investing in yourself is a lifelong journey, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By following these tips, you can achieve your goals and live the life you’ve always wanted.
Oh, and one more thing. Things. Take. Time.
Nothing will radically change overnight. Success and progress in basically everything in life is the result of small investments, made consistently and over long periods of time. It’s not what anyone wants to hear, but it’s the truth.
In my experience, I’ve found that mastery of something and real change do indeed, take ~10,000 hours. But those hours will pass anyways, so use them well. Start investing in yourself now.
Video
For an additional perspective, check out this YouTube video I found:
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