When it comes to investments, one of the best you can make is in yourself! But all too often, the benefits of investing in yourself get lost in the shuffle, becoming a low-priority item; nothing more than something we hope to do someday.
Time and money are among the top reasons that we give for not investing in the things that enrich our lives. But while it’s true that you may not have a lot of extra time or money lying around, it’s important to realize that often, we cite those reasons not because we really can’t afford it or couldn’t find time for it, but instead because we fail to recognize the real value in investing in ourselves.
Whether it’s because you feel that the benefits of investing in yourself are not worthwhile, or if you’re telling yourself that it’s just not worth the risk—those are simply not good enough reasons to not invest in yourself and your well being! The fact is that we are worth it, you are worth it, and if we don’t venture out on a limb or try new things, we’ll never be able to grow as people.
The simple truth is that we’re putting too much pressure on ourselves. Whether or not you benefit enormously from the lessons taught in a workshop or if taking up landscape photography doesn’t make you a world-class photographer is irrelevant. The fact is that you can still benefit significantly from the simple act of trying something new. The growth that comes from these experiences are one of the greatest benefits of investing in yourself.
What does it mean to invest in yourself?
When we learn something new or try something different—whether it’s traveling to a new place, learning a new skill, or taking a class—we enrich our lives tremendously. All of these things can help us to develop and grow, shaping us into the best possible version of ourselves.
How to Invest in Yourself: Where To Start
When looking at how to invest in yourself, there are plenty of approaches you can take— and there really is something for everyone and every budget. Here’s a look at a few worthwhile investments that can produce excellent rewards:
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Fitness
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Education
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Relationships—Cultivate those friendships!
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Attending seminars and workshops
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Developing good habits and breaking bad ones
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Reading more books
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Taking care of your health
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Spending time in nature
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Creative pursuits—Writing, sculpting, painting, drawing
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Starting a new business venture
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Choosing happiness
Lest you feel tempted to feel that these things aren’t worth the time or money—think again!
Benefits of Investing in Yourself
There’s a wealth of benefits that can be gained from investing in yourself. Here’s a look at just a few:
Satisfaction
When you take the time, or make the time, to invest in yourself, you will be rewarded with a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Whether you invest in fitness, health, or creative pursuits, the sense of accomplishment that comes when you achieve or finish something can be extremely beneficial and can do wonders for your mindset.
Confidence
Deep down, we’re often afraid to say yes to self-investments because we feel that we don’t deserve it, or that we won’t be able to experience the full benefit. But saying yes and making that initial investment in yourself—whether it’s signing up for a workshop, going in for that checkup, or hiking that mountain—can boost your confidence tremendously; improving your outlook as well. When you have confidence, you can achieve more things than you ever thought possible, and will be able to set your sights higher, and reach those goals that you may have once thought out of reach. It all starts with the decision to invest in yourself.
Stability
When you invest in something that will benefit you mentally—whether it’s learning something new, or refining your skills, you’ll be able to help to add more stability to your life. For many of us, we invest a lot in our employer, doing tasks that benefit them, at the expense of neglecting our own skills. But it’s important to remember that no job is guaranteed. By developing and deepening your skills can work to create a more stable future.
Connections
Investing in yourself can open the opportunity to forge new connections. Investing in relationships and people who mean a lot to you can help to deepen and strengthen others as well as yourself. Never underestimate the power of a good friend!
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The Best Time to Invest in Yourself is Right Now
If you’re on the fence about a new venture or opportunity that would enrich your life, don’t pass it up by continuously telling yourself that you’ll do it “someday.” There will never be a time in life where we’re not busy or don’t have other things to spend money on. Instead, ask yourself if it’s something that you’ll enjoy or something that you’d like to try. If the answer is yes, then take the next step and invest in yourself! Don’t let anything hold you back. You’ll be able to reap both immediate rewards and future rewards when you learn what it means to invest in yourself and the importance of doing so. Don’t wait any longer to get started.
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