stephanienaceDecember 5, 2023LEARNING, REFLECTION, RESOURCES
How do you invest in yourself? Whether you’re unsure what that even looks like or already have some ideas, here’s 12 ways you can take action and make that investment.
“The best investment by far is anything that develops yourself, and it’s not taxed at all” – Warren Buffet
- Take time to read – This can be a classic, something non-fiction, a book of the bible or something else! If you’re looking for something more budget friendly, check out your local library, or use the Libby app or Hoopla for free books through the library. Or invest in a Kindle Unlimited or Audible subscription!
- Listen to a Podcast – While walking, driving, doing laundry, or dishes, a podcast is a great way to invest in yourself. I tend to have 2-3 podcasts I pretty regularly follow at once. I may dabble in an episode here or there of other podcasts but tend to be pretty loyal to only a small amount at once.
- Take a Course – On the Strengths Finder, one of my top strengths is learner. I love to take a course online at my own pace and try to check out a few a year on various topics. These can range in pricing from free or under $50 to others that I’ve invested multiple thousands in. Start where you are, choose what’s best for you.
- Commit To a Program or Certification – There are lots of options here. The program could be as serious as a masters degree to as short as a 30 day workout program. Maybe you want to get certified as a Scrum Master or in Serve Safe, NASM, or coaching. Maybe there’s specific certifications in your field of expertise you can pursue. Again, lots of areas to take this.
- Pursue Therapy – This one is a commitment and vulnerable but can be life changing. Check what your insurance may cover or talk to others who have walked through this and get insight on where to start.
- Sign Up for a Class – This can be anything from a cooking class to web design to parenting. There’s again so many options here with some being free (let me plug the local library again) or others you can do at a local college or online. I took a calligraphy class at a local college a few years ago because it sounded fun.
- Invest in a Coach – There are so many different types of coaches – health, financial, marriage, friendships, business, productivity, confidence, empowerment, and life coaches to only name a few. If there’s an area you want someone to go alongside you and equip you along the way, find a coach in the area you’re looking for growth in.
- Find a Mentor – Different from coaching, while a coach is going to ask you questions and help you find your own answers, a mentor may be giving more advice from their own experience. Both can be so helpful.
- Pursue Margin & Rest – Rest is a gift and so is margin. Giving yourself that rest in your days, weeks, months, and years is essential. Some books on this topic as well as some insight.
- Start Planning – I had to wait till number 10 to share this so I didn’t come across too strong with this one. I love planning. Planning my years, quarters, months, weeks, and days is a joy. But I plan to give myself both margin and rest, but also as a way to invest in myself. It helps me use my energy in the best ways on the best things and not spend energy on areas I don’t need to. Maybe start by planning on Fridays.
- Begin Journaling or Morning Pages – The second half of 2023 was my awakening to morning pages. You’d think it’s just journaling but it’s not. These have been such an investment into myself, my decisions, my prayers, and my future. It’s been so fruitful of a practice.
- Explore Your Hobbies – Whether you have hobbies already or realize you don’t really have any, find ways to explore what sounds fun to you. Is it a sport or art or doing puzzles? Find ways to think about a hobby or two you’d like to do and carve out time on at least a monthly basis to practice that thing.
Investing in yourself doesn’t have to be a large financial investment. It can look pretty simple by choosing 1-2 of the above areas and diving in over a few months and seeing what sticks. Let me tell you I do not do all of these and I definitely do not do them all at once. I have a few ways I’ll invest in myself at one time and they’re based on what I need in that season or what’s really life giving for me. See what wll work for you and make adjustments along the way.
