IN A GLIMPSE:
Intro
- We often overlook investing on ourselves
- Money isn’t the only resource you invest
- Self enrichment is as important as wealth accumulation
Body
- Read a book
- Pay attention to your Health and Wellness
- Push yourself to something new
- Business / Side Hustle
- Learn a skill
- Expand your network
- Hire a business or career coach
Conclusion
- Improvements will feel just as good, if not better, as clinching that 50% gain in the stock market
- Don’t overlook yourself, you are more important than your wealth
In our persistent attempts to get out of the rat race, we become fixated on businesses, the stock market, our careers, and many other things. We often overlook investing on the most important asset there is, ourselves.
Stocks, bonds, and real estate aren’t the only things that appreciate over time. Furthermore, money isn’t the only thing that we invest, time and effort are also things that we invest to generate more of a particular something. Self enrichment is just as important as wealth accumulation, but how exactly does one invest in his/her self?
One of the best things that you can do to invest on yourself is to push yourself to new experiences. Perhaps something that you’ve never done before, a fear that you haven’t conquered, making a side hustle, or even as simple as attending a workshop for a particular skill. Pushing yourself to these new experiences and learning makes you feel more in control of your life, and makes you more equipped in your career or business. Not everything can be learned in school or in the workplace. Sometimes you just learn useful things in the most unexpected sources.
Another self investment that could really pay off is expanding your network. Attend networking events, get to know people and make a connection with a variety of professionals in different industries. A lot of business opportunities and jobs never make it to LinkedIn or even on the internet, that is why it is vital that you connect yourself to these people. Maybe you’ll land an awesome managerial position or take part in a startup with the cool people you’ve met. You’ll never know.
If you already have a large network and a wide arsenal of skills and experiences, then maybe the next thing that you can do is to hire a business or career coach. Even the greatest athletes and businessmen have coaches or mentors. Coaches can be useful in identifying more areas of improvement and further increasing the quality of your work. Remember that there is always room for improvement.
Lastly, and perhaps the most important investment on yourself is paying attention to your health and wellness. Miller (2014) mentioned in her article for the National Career Development Association that healthy individuals are more productive and tend to be better in the workplace. After all, you do want to live long enough to spend the money you’ve earned and enjoy the rewards that you worked so hard for.
In sum, investments aren’t just about stocks or the like. Investing in yourself is just as rewarding, if not more, as clinching that 50% gain in the stock market. To put it in investment terms, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, diversify your investments in stocks, bonds, real estate, and most importantly, yourself.
