Good investments include more than smart retirement planning; you should also invest in your future and your own personal growth. Who you are today affects who you can be tomorrow – and the more you do to better yourself now, the easier your future will be!
Before you invest in your future, you need to invest in who you are today. You can do this by furthering your education, taking care of your physical and mental health, learning to say “no,” working and playing hard, and planning for future investments. Read the full article for details.
Looking for Ways to Invest in Yourself? Read this!
Further Your Education
You need a solid foundation if you want the means to invest in your future. A better education will open doors that might otherwise stay closed, giving you more opportunities to move ahead. If money’s an issue, find out which college grants you qualify for; if your total family income is below $50,000, you’ll probably qualify for a Pell Grant, which is a great start.
If you’re already in school or looking at other options, consider learning a new skill or picking up a new language. Both will enrich your life while making you more marketable.
Take Care of Yourself
Part of building toward your potential includes fostering a strong, healthy body. Are you fueling it properly? Are you exercising and paying attention to the amount of alcohol and other toxins you’re taking in? What are you doing to keep yourself functioning at your best? By investing in your physical and mental health, you’re clearing a path for everything else.
If you’re not sure where to start, try enrolling in a healthy cooking class, taking up yoga, or cutting your alcohol intake. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about treatment options that can help you quit for good. Live up to your potential and raise your own bar. You’re worth it.
Learn to Say “No”
Another way of taking care of yourself is learning when to put your time first. When you stretch yourself too thin, you risk burning yourself out. You’re no good to anyone if you’re constantly running on empty, so learn to prioritize your time. If you find it difficult to say “no,” now is the time to start practicing. Outside of work or school, your time belongs to you, and how you manage it is your prerogative.
Work Hard and Play Hard
How you manage that time, both inside and outside of work and school, can have a huge impact on your overall personal investment. You can only excel if you do your best, regardless of the task. Work for that promotion. Ace that test. The added effort will make a difference in more than one area of your life.
And when you’re not working, let yourself enjoy the downtime. Everyone needs a break from the day-to-day stressors that come with adulting. In fact, not taking time to relax and enjoy yourself can result in chronic stress, which can lead to depression, poor work performance, and other issues.
Invest in Your Future
It’s never too early to think about your retirement. Even if you’re young, how you manage your money now can affect your quality of life for decades to come. Start putting away investment money by using the 50/20/30 rule: Devote 50 percent of your income to necessities, 20 percent to savings, and 30 percent to personal enrichment. By setting aside 20 percent of each paycheck, you’re giving yourself the means to get ahead in the future.
Your potential is only as great as the opportunities you make available for yourself – and tomorrow comes faster than you think. Do yourself a favor and start preparing today. Take stock in yourself and take charge of your future. You’re worth the investment.
~Here’s to Your Success
