6 Ways to Invest in Yourself

Written by Laura Gayle, Business Woman Guide

Podcast narrated by Leigh Martinuzzi 

In nearly every situation, the likelihood of success is much greater when you adopt healthy habits and make a commitment to invest time and money into endeavours that will prove valuable for your future self. Most successful people find that throughout their careers, it is essential to focus on things they can do today that will help them perform better in the future. Investing in yourself is probably the most profitable investment you will ever make.

Now is a great time to make small shifts in your daily activities — and consider who it is you really are and where you’re hoping to go in 2019. Set the course for the rest of the year by taking a look at several ways you can invest in yourself to be more successful.

Invest in Self-Care

Stress, anxiety, and guilt can get the best of us if we don’t develop healthy self-care habits. Your mental and physical health depends on self-care. Here are a few things you can do to renew yourself and be a better you:

• Exercise: With the warmer weather comes the chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Regular exercise encourages your mind and spirit to connect with your body. It can often help clear your mind and helps put things in perspective.
• Get outside: Spending time outdoors imparts several physical and mental health benefits. The options are endless for activities that can increase the time you spend outdoors. You can camp, hike, bike, swim, or even just spend an extra few minutes walking on your lunch break.
• Meditate: Slowing down to participate in brief meditation allows you to take charge of your own nervous system and regulate your emotions. It increases self-awareness, improves concentration, and gives you an overall sense of well-being.
• Sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to your quality of life. Practising a relaxing bedtime ritual each night and sticking to a healthy sleep schedule can make a great contribution toward getting a good night’s rest.

Invest in Your Creativity

As you get older, your creativity doesn’t just disappear. Boosting creative prowess can lead to life-changing ideas and keep you ready to roll with the changes of life. Commit to making an investment in fun activities that inspire your creativity. Journaling, joining an art class, or taking up a new craft hobby can kickstart creativity, leading to both challenges and new opportunities.

Invest in Your Wardrobe

Your wardrobe doesn’t have to be complicated but, done right, it can improve your chances of success. For example, in your efforts to build a professional wardrobe, a blazer is one piece of clothing that every professional should invest in. This piece of clothing is so versatile and can elevate an outfit instantly. When choosing your blazer, consider that it will be a wardrobe staple. Here are four things to look for when purchasing a blazer:

• Fit: Be sure the blazer fits properly, in body length, sleeve length, and shoulder width.
• Material: The piece should hold its form well. A stiffer material will appear more formal and businesslike.
• Colour: Choose a colour that is neutral and will work with several colours and styles of pants. Black, navy blue or grey are your safest bet.
• Tailoring: If it’s affordable but the fit isn’t perfect, there is always the option to have it tailored.

Invest in Development

Career development can be a lifelong pursuit, one whose benefits evolve over time. One way you can invest in your career is by preparing for trade shows and attending them to take advantage of the professional development opportunities these events can offer. Trade shows give you an opportunity to meet industry leaders and interact with potential customers and investors. Whether you want to gain insight into emerging industry trends or increase awareness for your brand, attending a trade show is certainly an investment worth considering.

Professional development is essential to being successful. Most careers demand that you keep pace with current standards and trends. Not only does professional development keep you competitive, but it helps you remain competent and keeps your thinking current in your profession, too.

Invest in Knowledge

Just as our bodies need nourishment, our minds need to be cared for, as well. Knowledge is more powerful than money! Gaining knowledge on a variety of topics can empower you to stand apart from mediocrity. Here a couple of ways to invest in your own body of knowledge during the upcoming months.

• Learn: If you’ve calculated a tax refund for yourself this year, consider investing it in a skill you are underutilizing, or one you have been interested in learning. This investment can fulfil your ambitions while boosting your self-confidence, and it increases the likelihood of your success.
• Read: Spend time researching and reading quality content on subjects that matter — anything from politics or social inquiry to science, art, or spirituality. This habit will simply improve your thinking in many areas of life. Besides providing an opportunity to learn new things, it also can help you break through career slumps. Ultimately, the knowledge gained through research and reading will help you on your path to being successful.

Invest in Your Finances

You’ll always benefit when you take the time to carefully maintain and manage your finances wisely. Financial responsibility does not mean investing your money in a get-rich-quick scheme — nor does it necessarily mean squirrelling it away, never to be seen again until you retire.  Sometimes, investing in your finances requires making tough decisions, such as job changes or relocation, or expanding your ideas about how and where to invest.

• Relocate: If you live in a place where sky-high rent takes up most of your paycheck, you might consider moving to another location — your dollars will go a lot farther in a lower-cost city like Tampa than New York City, for example!
• Diversify: If you already have a good credit score and some money saved up, there are ways to invest and have fun. Consider buying a property to use as a vacation rental; it can help you build equity and provide income for the future, plus give you a place to get away now and then.
• Hustle: If you’re not ready for a drastic change or don’t have a lot in savings, the solution instead can be as simple as developing a skill and engaging in a side hustle to earn some extra money.

Regardless of the paths you choose, whenever you invest in your finances, you make decisions that help you grow the wealth you already have. Commit now to making good financial decisions in 2019 that align with your future goals.

A human life is made up of so many facets, each of them requiring care and attention to grow and reach its best potential. Investing time and energy in yourself in any number of ways — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, professionally, or financially — will always help develop your capacity and set you up for greater success.

About Laura Gayle

Laura Gayle is a full-time blogger who has ghostwritten more than 350 articles for major software companies, tech startups, and online retailers. Founder of BusinessWomanGuide.org, she created her site to be a trusted resource for women trying to start or grow businesses on their own terms.

 

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.