Now is the time to invest in yourself for the future
Photo by Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash
What have you done for your most important client lately? I am not talking about work – I am talking about you. If you neglect yourself and focus only on work and family, you set yourself up for burnout and depletion. On the flip side, when you invest in yourself, you reconnect with what moves you and drives you forward.
Investing in yourself involves both personal and professional development, and the activities you choose should fuel you creatively and energetically. In other words, don’t choose a development activity simply because you feel you should, according to someone else’s definition of success or growth. Choose actions that help you become a better version of you – in life and at work.
Why Invest in Yourself?
I think Medium contributor Chomwa Shikati summed it up beautifully when he wrote:
“Without working on ourselves and improving ourselves every day, it would be unrealistic for us to expect a much different future from the one we have right now, it would also be unrealistic for us to perform better in the future, because we will be no different tomorrow from the person we are today.”
The individuals I coach all come to me wanting something better for their futures. They are looking for career growth that will also support their life goals and interests. They want to feel more passion in their work, contribute more to their communities and build a life worth living.
For each and every individual, those aspirations require an investment in self. Whether you focus on skill-building, mental and physical well-being, relationships with others, or expanding your income streams, your time spent will pay off as you become a happier, healthier and more engaged person.
How to Invest in Yourself
While we all have a vague idea of what it means to improve ourselves and our lives, the first step often proves to be the hardest.
Here are 10 no-cost ideas to get you started:
Learn something new. You might be surprised at what you can learn online for free. Seek out recordings of TED Talks that fit your interests, or search YouTube for hands-on demos of skills from yoga to cooking to woodworking. To brush up on business skills, audit a free online course or find podcasts related to your area of focus.
Need to unplug? Ask a friend or neighbor to show you how to start a garden or knit, or check out a how-to book from the library.
Plan one day or one week at a time. The physical act of writing or typing your goals can help you achieve them. Keep it simple and create short-term goals and action plans one day or one week at a time.
Make a personal financial plan. Write down your long-term goals and set money goals to match. You might discover that you need some additional income streams or that you need to work on cutting expenses. Creating a tangible plan will help you set realistic benchmarks.
Exercise. You do not have to join a fancy gym or even buy new workout clothes. Throw on some old shorts and hit the sidewalks for a one-mile loop around your neighborhood. Look up home exercise routines that use your body weight for resistance.
Start creating. Creating art or making something tangible lights up your brain in new ways. You don’t even have to be good. Setting that spark can lead to breakthrough ideas in other areas of your professional and personal life.
Make connections. Reach out to friends by phone, or invite the neighbors over for an impromptu grill night in the backyard. Friendships and a sense of community improve our well-being and self-confidence and also broaden our world view. Also make time to reach out to your strongest professional cheerleaders and supporters.
Organize. A well-organized home or office can help relax and focus your brain. The few hours you spend clearing out your space will pay off with a clearer head.
Volunteer. If you have been feeling complacent or jaded about life, or your career, volunteering for a favorite cause can help renew your vigor and outlook. It also has the potential to lead you to new career goals, new friendships and more.
Visualize and meditate. Meditation and positive visualizations can help reset negative thought patterns that hold you back. Imagining good things in your future can lead you closer to achieving them.
Face a fear. Identifying and facing a fear head-on can give you the confidence you need to take more risks in all areas of your life. Hate being in the spotlight? Try karaoke for the first time. Fear criticism about your writing skills? Publish a blog. Whatever your fear, the key here is to show yourself that you’re capable of pushing past your self-imposed limits.
As an executive career coach, I work with incredible individuals every day who have invested in themselves in order to achieve their goals. I would love to hear about your goals, as well as your roadblocks. Reach out today for a free strategy call.