Investment is essentially planting something of value with the intention of increasing its value severalfold. Thus, with self-investment, you as the individual are a valuable commodity, and the skills and knowledge you consciously decide to take up to better yourself are the things you plant, hoping they will mature and make you exceedingly valuable. In this world, it is only those who have answers and solutions to problems that survive; thus, you can’t just live without adding value to yourself. Learning does not end.
In this post, we will cover the need for self-investment, areas to invest in, how to overcome barriers that hinder growth, and structures you can adapt to help you build value.
AREAS FOR SELF-INVESTMENT
There are a lot of areas worth investing in; however, in this post, we will be discussing a few.
- Education and learning:
Like I said earlier, learning never ends. There is a need to keep yourself up-to-date in whichever aspect of life you find yourself in. For example, as an engineer, you have to keep yourself up to date with the technological advancements in the field. For example, it took only the expertise of a mechanical engineer to determine faults in a vehicle, which was sometimes inaccurate; however, modern tech has provided room for devices like onboard diagnostic equipment to determine faults in vehicles. The most fertile field in this day and age is artificial intelligence and machine learning. Even if you’re unable to fully master the field, you should at least have some basic skills, like the basics of artificial intelligence, in conducting research and all.
- Health and Well-being
One of the most underrated aspects to invest in as an individual is your health. What good would it be if you had all the money in the world but spent it on hospitals and not anything profitable? Ways you can improve your health and well-being include eating a balanced diet, hitting the gym at least twice a week, going on early morning jogs and runs, and getting enough sleep. At least these basic exercises can help keep you in shape.
- Networking and relationships
As the saying goes, “no man is an island”; you have to make a habit of going to seminars and conferences to get to interact with new people and build quality relationships as well. If you are not really good with crowds, you can start small by joining clubs and profitable societies on campus—that’s if you are a student. You can also involve yourself in community engagements. The end goal is to make and build connections.
Overcoming Obstacles
Some of the major obstacles you’re likely to face during the period of self-investment are time management, monetary issues, and lack of motivation. To overcome these obstacles, prioritize things that are of importance, and start small if you don’t have the capital to go hard. Honestly speaking, from my personal experience, I would advise that you really become intentional. Be very intentional about self-investment. Intentionally hit the gym, intentionally read a book every month, and intentionally decide to be a better version of yourself. This should be enough motivation for you to keep going.
Strategies to adapt for self-investment
To identify the strategy that works for you, you first have to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Assess your current skill set, set clear goals, allocate enough time and available resources, and track your progress as well. Celebrate every progress you make to serve as a form of motivation.
In a nutshell, self-improvement is key to making it in our world. Add value to yourself and have answers and solutions to problems.
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