Why should you invest in yourself?
Investing in yourself - even in the simplest and most low-capital way possible - yields not only future returns but often offers a current pay-off as well.
Plus, I see it as a responsibility to take the time to develop our gifts and talents so we can best serve others and our community.
So how can you start investing in yourself?
Here are some incredible ways you can invest in yourself - and the great news is they don’t all require a lot of money.
Five easy & low-cost ways to start investing in yourself:
1. Books/Ebooks
You can learn just about anything from books. From school textbooks to self-help books on the shelves of bookstores, books give us knowledge on a wide range of topics. Even fiction books can be of help if your goal is to improve prose and English writing.
Books are one of the easiest and low-cost investment tools to get your hands on. Visiting a library's catalogue gives you access to thousands of books and learning materials. Plus, with the advent of ebooks and audiobooks, you now have several mediums to choose from. But if you're old-school like me - who prefers to hold a book, check out second-hand book stores or places that sell pre-loved books.
p.s. My go-to place is Books Beyond Borders. Try it. Who knows? You may find your gem in there too!
2. Online Courses
Let's say you have a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. What you may have learned 10 years ago when you were studying may no longer be 100% relevant today. Sure, your principles of marketing may still apply, but digital marketing - as a whole - is ever-changing. So how do you keep up?
Enter: online courses. Through websites like Udemy, Coursera, Khan Academy, you can easily access thousands of online courses that can give you a certificate of completion for you to add to your resume. For more credibility, you can even take up courses offered by prestigious Universities - all online, and sometimes even free of charge! And the subject choices are just growing by the day.
3. Invest in a Coach
If you ever feel that there is so much more you can offer but somehow, you can't put your finger on it or know how to get started, do consider engaging a personal coach. A Personal Coach is your partner in success. It is their job to assist you in creating and implementing your success plan, so you can become the best that you can be. Say you wish to become a better manager or you wish to learn a specific skill. Sometimes, we can't find courses that we want online to suit our specific niche or relevant need. That's where personal coaching comes in.
A good coach will assess your existing situation and train you based on your needs and what is relevant in your field of interest. When choosing a personal coach, ask around for recommendations and find one who fits your budget and can help you achieve your goals (or get closer to it, at least).
4. Eat Right
Fuel your body with nutrients. When you focus on eating healthier, you will feel better and have more energy. While healthier food may cost more than processed food (the irony!), consider sourcing for bulk purchases which will be a bit easier on the pocket.
I have recently done an assessment that suggests that a Mediterranean Diet would be most ideal for me, given my sensitivity to Fats and Carbohydrates. Ever since I came to know of this, I have intentionally increased my intake of seafood in my diet. While I reckon it's too early to tell if it's really better for me, I already feel better psychologically.
If you're really clueless about where to start, I recommend working with a nutritionist. In as short as three months, a good nutritionist would be able to be familiar with your current diet and propose marginal adjustments to your diet without you having to go through drastic changes. This can lead to more effective and sustainable changes in your food intake. Again, ask around (or ask me if you're in Singapore!) for recommendations on finding a nutritionist who has a consultancy that is aligned with your needs.
5. Exercise
While having healthy food is a great feat, one other way we can invest in ourselves and our future is to keep our bodies healthy. And clearly, the way to do that is through exercise.
Do something every day to get moving and get your heart rate up, even if it’s just walking around the estate. Exercise gives you the energy to take on the day with confidence because of how it makes you look and feel. Remember, you don't need a gym membership to get moving! This tip has been especially useful for me during this entire lockdown period as the motivation to keep moving and not be sedentary at home has made me feel much better.
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These tips I've shared will not only help you with your mental and physical health but also gain you more chances in the working world.
Gentle reminder: Your most valuable asset which makes you money over time is YOU.
So what are you doing to invest in yourself during this pandemic? I'd love to know!
ℹ️ Meanwhile, if you like to explore other areas such as financial wellness, feel free to email me.