Sometimes life seems so busy you can't seem to get a moment for yourself. So many things take up your time--work, health, kids, family, appointments, chores, etc.--that it seems impossible that to make time to invest in yourself.
We invest a great amount of time and finances in activities and objects. Vacations, furniture, cars, they're all nice to have. However these things all depreciate or do not give us the greatest return on our investment.
But what about investing in your greatest asset? Yourself.
When is the last time that you actually did something that would have a great impact on yourself? You probably have a difficult time remembering. We don't often think about what we can do to better ourselves. This investment would pay great dividends over the course of your lifetime.
Making yourself more valuable can pay for itself many times over. Many people assume that their employers will invest in them in order to make them more valuable to the organization; however, today that's not always the case. If your employer does little professional development, it'd be in your interest to do some on your own. It's easier than you'd think.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Participate in a conference in your field
- Participate in local workshops (if you can't get to a conference this is a great alternative! Check your local professional associations)
- Get on a webinar (there are lots of free options!)
- Join a professional association and attend meetings. It's great for networking too!
- Volunteer with a non-profit
- Learn a new language
- Read a book about your field
- Start a blog and find a community
- Take up public speaking (Toastmasters, anyone?)
- Watch a documentary
- Use Strength Finder to discover your strengths
- Take a Myer Briggs assessment to learn your personality type.
- Find a mentor
- Write in a journal
- Use a goal setting app
- Practice your Elevator Pitch
If you're not willing to invest in yourself, you'll find that no one else is either. So what's it going to be?
