If you're continually striving to be the best version of yourself, people will put a lot of time and money into you.
Photo credit: Senivpetro
Why you should invest in yourself
“You wanna know what’s funny, for a very long time I was so fixated on buying assets, buying things that I thought would be beneficial long term, building houses and stuff like that. I was so concerned that by the time I turned, let's say 40, I wouldn’t have anything to show for it. No beaches, no farmhouse, no businesses bringing in millions almost every month. So I always felt like my productive years were wasting away.”
“But now the older I get, the more I realize that all this time and money I thought I should have been putting into a certain business I was putting into myself. I am my biggest investment yet, and people will pay you very good money to be yourself if you’re constantly putting in the work to be the best at your craft. So yeah, invest in yourself, build yourself, take care of your mental health, eat well, sleep, and exercise well. Just remember, people will invest so much money and time in you if you are constantly trying to be the best version of yourself.”
Georgie Ndirangu, a consultant and former BBC broadcaster who now serves as Global Moderator, said this in a viral video a few weeks ago. And man! He couldn't have said it any better. The words of this charming lad spoke volumes to many, as evidenced by the countless heartfelt comments he received, not forgetting the hundreds of reshares the spontaneous video got.
Georgie said it like it is. The return on investing in yourself pays off more than you could ever think. Especially when it comes to your career. Once you commit to furthering your professional development, your goals become more than just pipe dreams. It makes you more valuable to your current workplace by presenting innovative, original solutions. However, most people have the wrong idea of what it means to invest in themselves. They spend rather than invest in themselves.
Shall I explain?
You see, buying those trendy flashy heels or those classic oxfords you spotted on Instagram the other day is not investing in yourself. Yes, there is a momentary surge of joy and contentment that comes with it, but it is always fleeting. It won't be long before they're worn out, and you'll need to replace them. Which means spending more. Spending offers you a short-term lift, but it has no lasting impact on your joy and happiness.
Investing in yourself is quite different. Professional growth essentially refers to learning new skills that can help you perform better in your current position. It safeguards you from becoming outdated in an ever-changing job market. It takes time and effort to see long-term benefits from investing in yourself, but the results are worth it since it transforms your perception and the way you view the world.
Now, to invest in your career, you need to know your worth to the core. Getting to know yourself requires understanding the elements that motivate you to do something relevant and substantive every day. To achieve this, you must devise a foolproof strategy first. In other words, a plan. A plan that lets you:
- Outline the skills you need to succeed at work.
- Keep up with the latest workplace trends.
- Establish a distinct individuality in your field (Make a name for yourself in your industry).
- Know how much money you're willing to risk investing and how much of a commitment you're willing to make to keep track of your investment choices.
- Identify the level of risk you're willing to take.
- Know what kind of commitment is required to handle your investment decisions.
- Keep track of the goals you've set for yourself.
To kick things off, here are five of the most effective ways to invest in yourself professionally with shared quotes from experts:
1. Focus on your strengths
“Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses, on your powers instead of your problems.”—Paul J Meyer, pioneer of the multibillion-dollar self-improvement industry.
You have various strengths that can contribute to your success at work, regardless of your job title. By analyzing the most desired workplace strengths, you can determine which ones relate to your field and start looking for ways to develop them.
One way to identify your strengths is by critically reviewing your job responsibilities. As you go by your daily activities, keep track of how different long tasks take and how productive you are. If you feel like you are moving at a breakneck speed and you accomplish a lot in a short amount of time, then you are likely using some of your biggest strengths.
After identifying your strengths, never assume that they don’t require fine-tuning. Instead, make a firm commitment to invest in them. For instance, if you are a problem solver, take an online class that will enhance your abilities and then put them to work more frequently. Fueling your strengths will allow your skill sets and capabilities to thrive.
2. Read and seek out learning opportunities
Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field―Brian Tracy, a professional speaker, author, and CEO of Brian Tracy International.
Books allow you to expand your knowledge and bust through career slumps. And these days, there are no excuses to put off reading. You can listen to audiobooks while exercising, doing household tasks, or while you’re driving. Not only is it entertaining, but it will also stimulate your creative thinking process.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor. If you want to be successful in your professional life, you can't afford to be complacent. Make the most of your time by acquiring the knowledge and skills to help you progress in your career. Make an effort to learn any new skills or qualifications you may be lacking so that you'll be ready for the next time you find yourself in a scenario that requires them.
A good way to do this is by attending conferences in your chosen industry or skill set. You can learn a lot in a short period from specialists in your field. Moreover, because it's an opportunity for employee growth and development, corporations often foot the bill.
3. Keep networking
“Instead of better glasses, your network gives you better eyes.”― Ronald Burt, an American sociologist and the Leadership Professor of Sociology and Strategy at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Networking is the art of building relationships that can strengthen your career and open the doors to new opportunities. Building a strong network will help advance your career in the direction you desire.
So, how do you build your network?
Start by getting active on social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. Connect with others in your field by joining groups and leaving comments on their posts. Alternatively, you can attend networking events, where you will meet experts in person and strike up a conversation with them about your field of expertise. Give them proper time and attention, and keep the most meaningful relationships active at all times.
4. Invest in a career coach
“Having a more experienced and successful counselor guiding someone in a chosen profession is a wise decision and good career move.” ― Jose A. Aviles, author.
Most people have a lot on their plates, and it can be tough to keep track of everything and focus on developing their careers. However, your journey to investing in yourself doesn’t have to be a solo venture. And that is where career coaches come in.
Having a career coach can help you develop a realistic and executable plan for moving forward in your career. In the process, you'll learn how to gain self-awareness in the workplace and acquire the skills and knowledge you'll need for the rest of your professional life.
5. Create a work-life balance
“When you have balance in your life, work becomes an entirely different experience. There is a passion that moves you to a whole new level of fulfillment and gratitude, and that's when you can do your best, for yourself and for others.”—Cara Delevingne, an English model, actress, and singer.
It’s a fact, that juggling your career and personal demands is no simple task, especially if you work long hours. It's a constant battle that affects every aspect of your life, and thousands of people struggle with it every day. According to the European Journal of Public health, employees with poor work-life balance also reported more health problems.
The desire to achieve better work-life harmony is understandable, but the working habits you’ve built over time are unlikely to change overnight. To discover what works best for you, practice tuning into your gut instinct. You can realign your expectations and rebalance your work-life balance with a little creativity.
Here are some pointers to help you strike a healthy work-life balance:
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Find a job that you enjoy and are passionate about.
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Disconnecting for a few minutes or several hours each day is perfectly OK.
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Put your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being first.
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Spend quality time with your loved ones.
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Set a limit on the number of hours you work each day.
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Find a hobby or pastime that you enjoy outside of work.
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Work with a coach or therapist.
Maintaining a healthy balance between your career and personal life is critical when advancing your career. Having a good work-life balance can help you achieve all the tasks you need to while still having time to pursue your aspirations as well.
Conclusion
There is no more profitable investment than investing in yourself. It is the best investment you can make; you can never go wrong with it. It is the true way to improve yourself to be the best version of you and lets you be able to best serve those around you ― Roy T. Bennett.
Investing in yourself is the most lucrative investment you can make, one that provides benefits both inside and outside the office. If you continuously invest in yourself, you'll be astonished at how rapidly you progress. Finally, I’ll leave you with this. The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best time to have done it is today. So plant your tree now; start investing in yourself. You are sure to reap the rewards.
