When you begin to brainstorm about how you can invest in yourself, you may automatically think about putting money into savings or other investment accounts. That is definitely one way to invest in your future.
However, investing in yourself could be accomplished in so many other ways. It’s when you place any type of energy, time, resources, or money into yourself. It could be a mental or physical investment.
Let’s go through some different options you have available (with extra funds or without any at all) to invest in yourself.
Invest In Yourself Through Education
I took a big step and did this a few years ago by going back to college. However, there are so many smaller steps that can be easily taken.
Reading a book on any topic is expanding your knowledge. Watching a documentary or listening to an audiobook is expanding your knowledge. Reading the daily news or engaging in conversation about current topics keeps you up to date on real world issues.
Taking a workshop to educate yourself on a topic that you are passionate about (or not) is going even one step further.
I do not believe we are ever too old to go back to college. If you feel the same, don’t let anyone change your mind about that. I did it in my late thirties and have not spent a single day regretting my decision. It’s one of the best ones I have ever made for myself.
Educating yourself could add value to your life in so many different ways. It could be the next step to a promotion or complete career change.
Through Treating Yourself Right
We make choices all day concerning what we are eating and if we choose to exercise or not. By making good choices, we’re investing in our bodies.
Take care of your physical health so that you are around and healthy enough to enjoy your grandchildren or even great grandchildren.
By making healthy choices, you’re declaring that you care about your body.
By writing in a journal or creating a daily to-do list, you’re investing in yourself by getting your thoughts into clear sentences or bullet points on paper.
Treat yourself right and reward yourself when you’re proud of what you have accomplished.
Check out Yahoo’s article 14 Cheap Ways To Invest In Your Health for more ideas.
Invest In Yourself By Setting Goals
By setting goals, you are taking the first step towards holding yourself accountable.
I can easily say that I’ve thought of brilliant ideas many times. I say to myself “I’m going to do that” and then forgot until months later that I ever had the idea.
If you aren’t writing things down, setting timelines, and placing expectations, you are not setting yourself up for success. Know that I believe we are all very capable of getting things done without setting goals. I am.
However, think of goals like making an appointment with yourself.
For example, if you’re making your dentist appointments six months out, do you write that date down? I sometimes do and sometimes I do not. My dentist calls me the week before every appointment so I don’t necessarily have to write it down because I’m not going to miss it due to their reminder.
What if they weren’t going to call me and remind me? I would never remember an appointment I made six months ago without writing it down.
Think of your goals like this. How can you stick to a plan if you aren’t giving yourself a target “appointment” due date?
Not only that, but how are you supposed to reward yourself for hitting milestones when milestones were never created?
Setting goals is a clear sign that you are serious about taking steps to invest in yourself.
By Starting A New Hobby
Do you have a hobby that you haven’t been spending much time on in the past few years?
Perhaps you’ve been wrapped up with your 9-5 job or taking care of kids or other family members.
Don’t forget about you and your own personal time and doing things that bring you joy.
If you don’t have a hobby, consider taking up one. There are multiple benefits to having a hobby. The first being that it can bring you relaxation and happiness.
Could you take this hobby to the next level and create a side hustle from it? Investing your time (and possibly money) into something you love can pay you back not only with a feeling of euphoria, but also perhaps in cash.
Invest In Yourself By Networking
I try to surround myself with people who challenge me. I want people who make me want to become better.
Positive energy is what I want to be around.
Networking and promoting yourself is investing in your future. You are creating bridges that could lead to awesome things in the future.
Networking could be simply getting to know people outside of your “circle of co-workers” at the office. It could be mingling around the room at the next company gathering.
It could mean that you take several moments throughout your regular work day to be the most approachable person you can be.
I can’t count the number of employee hires that we have made at my place to employment simply by word of mouth.
I like hiring people who already know someone that works at our company. More often than not, people will only suggest their friends if they believe that they are a great person and a good fit.
Be that person that people want to recommend for a new role.
Final Thoughts
By investing in yourself, you gain self confidence and the ability to make educated, thoughtful decisions.
Think of investing in yourself as putting forth effort, money, resources or time into anything that could equate to positive returns one day.
The positive returns could mean money, career advancement, or happiness.
Burning bridges with previous employers or not taking the time to enjoy life are examples of the opposite of investing in yourself.
Never be afraid to invest time, money, or energy into something that could pay off significantly in the long run.
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