In our twenties, most of us have dreams and aspirations. You crave financial stability, finding the love of your life, and maybe bagging one or two degrees. Meanwhile, achieving any of these requires a significant amount of investment in yourself.
When you hear “invest in yourself”, the first thing that comes to mind is often the state of your finances. How can I invest in myself when there’s barely enough to cover the bills?
A valid question, but self-investment is not limited to finances alone. It covers the time, skills and periods of rest that make you a better person. For me, it looks like taking time out each morning to jump rope and improve my health.
In this post, I will be sharing tips on how investing in yourself can light the path leading towards your goals.
What Does It Mean to Invest in Yourself?
Investing in yourself refers to the time, resources, and effort you put in to make your life better. It includes activities that influence your emotional, physical, spiritual and financial growth.
This could look like taking regular evening strolls, reading books on financial literacy, or engaging in activities that boost your faith. It does not always mean that you would see results immediately, but it’s a way to invest in the long haul.
Future you would be glad you took a public speaking course when you’re required to give a random speech. You see the vision, yes?
Why Investing in Yourself Matters for Achieving Your Goals
Improving yourself builds self-confidence and resilience, it also helps you gain more opportunities. Whether through education, acquiring new skills, or expanding your network, investing in yourself unlocks career and personal growth.
Having clear goals serves as a roadmap guiding you to your desired destination. Knowing where you’re headed keeps you consistent and disciplined, even when motivation fades.
Goal setting is the process of identifying what you want to achieve and setting objectives to reach it. If your goal is to get hired, taking courses to improve your skills would better prepare you.
As your goals evolve with growth, self-investment requires you to set new goals. A few practical tips for investing in yourself include:
– Focus on learning with resources like books, courses, and new skills.
– Look after your health by getting enough rest, proper nutrition and constant movement of your body.
– Invest in your faith by prayer, studying holy literature, and reflection.
– Build your network with a community of like-minded individuals, mentors, and friendships.
– Protect your mental health with boundaries, therapy and journaling.
Also Read: 10 Practical Ways to Invest in Yourself
Overcoming the Challenges of Investing in Yourself
As with any endeavour, there will always be challenges to face. The fear of failure and discomfort of trying new things can freeze you in place.
Additionally, guilt often accompanies rest or putting yourself above others. I still struggle with guilt sometimes when I spend money on an item that makes me happy or when I enforce a boundary.
These emotions can make self-investment feel overwhelming. To combat these feelings, it’s very important to start small. Interested in art? Try doodling on scrap paper instead of painting with acrylics on a large canvas.
If you want to make new friends, smile or say hi to the first person you meet at your favourite café. The key is not to go full throttle and attend a function you’d be uncomfortable at. Good things take time, so focus on being consistent.
Final Thoughts
Every extra hour you dedicate to exercise, prayer, reading or taking a course is a step towards a better you. And every time you ignore your goals, the further away you are from your dream life.
Investing in yourself is not selfish or doing “too much”; it is an essential aspect of personal growth. So, what is one way you’re going to invest in yourself this week?
