By Brandon Brown - CEO/Invest In Knowledge
Investing in yourself is, by far, the best return on investment there is. Whether it’s investing in becoming skilled in a new task, devoting your time to self-development for personal or professional growth, learning to focus and use your creativity or seeking out a mentor, you need to invest in yourself first before you can benefit to others. When we take the time to develop our gifts and talents, we become more capable of serving others. Investing in yourself is not selfish – well, actually it is. But being selfish in this manner is positive because by developing a better mindset, by default, you make the lives of the people around you better. Investing in yourself is the best way to ensure you’re taken care of in the future.
Why is investing in yourself so important?
There’s only one guaranteed investment in life, and it’s YOU!
You are the most important place your time, money, and energy should be spent. Sadly, we tend neglect ourselves in what we call this game of life. We sacrifice ourselves when other people’s priorities come up.
Investing in yourself sends a powerful message to you and the world. It says:
The value and potential that I possess, is important enough to me that I’m going to give it the energy, space and time to grow and create results.
When you finally say yes, and step out in faith and invest in yourself, you will experience amazing rewards.
Here are just a few incredible ways that you can invest in yourself - and they don’t all require money.
1. Set Goals. Learn how to set personal and business goals for yourself. If you’re not taking the time to set goals it’s like you’re shadow boxing but, unlike athletes in physical training, you’re receiving no benefit. You’ll tire yourself out, trying to figure out why you’re constantly working but seeing no fruit and precious time is being wasted. Set time frames to meet your goals. Be productive and not just busy. Your goals should be SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.
2. Become a Good Steward. This means you create a balance in various areas of your life (Spiritual Growth, Family, Money, Time, Work, etc.). Being a good steward gives you and helps you keep a good name before other people. It shows your faithfulness to making the world around you right. After all, if you poorly manage your affairs, how will you be consistent in another man’s? It ain gone happen, Cap’n. It’s not overnight though. I’m working on that and will continue to.
3. Invest Time in Your Creativity. We’ve all seen television series like Flip This House. People in buy broken down houses and turn them into some of the most beautiful homes. That’s creativity! You have so much inside you that needs to come out. Put your ideas on paper and search out how to make them a reality. Your creativity put into productivity promotes financial and economic success. Creativity is born of inspiration and it also stimulates creativity. It allows us to be inspired, have fun and appreciate the beauty in the world.
4. Invest in Building Your Confidence. People who know their value, speak and others listen. As you develop a productive mindset, you’ll begin to feel better about yourself. Doors will begin to open for you and you’ll find yourself speaking to people that you never thought you would. Yes, that includes you, the introvert, as well. Begin to talk to yourself about your positive qualities and the goals you have set. You’ll see things begin to change in your life. The more you invest in building yourself up and owning the value that you offer, the more confident you will become in sharing it with others.
5. Develop a Productive Mindset. This may sound a little different. But it's just not enough to have a positive mind or way of thinking. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘You are what you eat’. Oh how true it is. Investing in yourself has everything to do with what you take in – what you read and listen to. Your mind is a sponge. If you soak up negativity and disdain, you’ll never be productive in life. And people won’t want to be around you. Check out some of the books and recordings from great men and women such as Les Brown, Jim Rohn, Robert Kyosaki, & Susan Jeffers. Reading books or listening to audio books are an excellent resource to build your knowledge and expertise in any area. Also, consider reading through Proverbs which helps explain wisdom and understanding and how to gain it.
When you begin to invest in yourself, it’s like the proverbial lightbulb turns on and you get that “Ah Ha” moment. But as long as you continue in your investment, you get that moment over and over again. And if you have a business providing goods and services, understand that no one will invest in you until you invest in yourself first.
You become a magnet to what you involve yourself in. You can help improve the lives of those in your circle of influence. Begin to invest in knowledge through self-development practices and resources and you will draw the people and things that will help improve your life even more!
Please share why investing in yourself is important to you and what ways of investing you plan to implement today...I would love to hear from you!
