Investing in the stock market, education and businesses are certainly financially beneficial in the long run. But have you ever considered ways to invest in yourself?
Speaking of it in the finance dialect, consider yourself an asset. Just as you invest in a financial asset to garner a higher Rate of return (ROI), you can invest in yourself to increase your value both as a professional and a person.
Moreover, self-investment always has the upper hand as you are only subjected to gains, no losses. So be it improving your personality, or skill, self-investment can never go out of style. Whilst we are in lockdown it could be the perfect opportunity to invest in yourself. For once we have time for self-discovery, to read and to explore what we want from life.
Here are some of the smart ways to invest in yourself
1. Vocabulary
Some skills are only limited to certain spheres. However, when it comes to vocabulary, you know it is a medal you can wear anytime, anywhere!
My go-to way of increasing my vocabulary is by making vocabulary flashcards.
Here’s what you can do.
Every day when you come across a new word, write it on a small piece of paper. Then, note down the meanings, and try to form a sentence using the word (The later part is mandatory).
Keep making a bundle of these flashcards, and go through them EVERY DAY (I repeat, every day!) before you sleep to ensure they do not elude your memory.
2. Set Goals
The purpose behind setting goals is that they prevent you from going astray, keep you determined and motivated and help you measure your progress.
Here’s what you have to do.
1. Identify your areas of investment.
2. Get a diary. Now, this is your special, SELF INVESTMENT DIARY.
3. Set goals. Surround yourself with reminders to keep you on track.
4. Make use of a calendar to mark dates and set targets.
TIP: You might want to go slow to avoid being burdened and unmotivated in the end. We like a motivational journal to help set goals.
3. Build confidence
Your qualifications and skills indeed matter a lot. However, while prioritizing them, you must not undermine the importance of confidence.
I don’t have to tell you but you know that being confident makes you appealing in the eyes of not only the world but yourself as well.
One smart way to build your confidence is by talking to people. (Don’t think what people might think of you, they’ll always have opinions about you. Hence, when you stop being bothered by their school of thoughts, you’d live a smooth life)
All you have to do here is, make it a habit to talk to at least one new person every week. In fact, utilizing your commuting time to engage in a conversation with a stranger is a good place to start.
4. Read books
Whosoever said that books are a man’s best friend was absolutely right. Books are so much more than just a means to expand your knowledge.
That being said, when you read you are also opening your mind to different horizons and perceptions while developing critical thinking and increasing your brainpower.
Therefore, don’t skip this; inculcate reading in your daily schedule. Try to read at least two books a month. One would do too if you are super busy. If you are looking for empowering books to get started with then I suggest Women Don’t Owe You Pretty and the Guilty Feminist.
5. Learn a new skill every month
Learning some new skills won’t only make your resume shiny but your personality as well. Make it your goal to learn at least one new skill per month to make this year more productive than ever.
Accordingly, you can start by enrolling yourself in short term certification courses online after identifying your area of interest.
Finally…
There are so many more ways to invest in yourself, to make yourself better. Every day you wake up is an opportunity to make the best of the day. Don’t hesitate to be an opportunist, as this kind of investment would yield you a much higher rate of return than any other financial investment.
How do you invest in yourself? Feel free to share it with us in the comment section below.
