Investing In Yourself

Have you heard the phrase “Invest in Yourself” and wondered, “What does that really mean?” What does it actually look like in someone’s life when they are investing in themselves? Point of clarity – I’m not advocating you play the comparison game but it is usually helpful for me to explore a real-life example (or two.)

I decided to poll a couple of people around me and I asked them “what does the phrase ‘invest in yourself’ mean to you?” I heard pauses. Slowly, responses came…

• Training, I guess
• Taking classes
• Having a manicure
• Eating healthy and exercising
• Spending time alone

All good responses and there is certainly no right or wrong answer…but, I kept thinking… Is there something else?

Is “investing in yourself” something that you think about? Is it something you practice regularly? Do you plan for it? Are we at risk of our investments in ourselves becoming indulgences – even escapes that prevent us from doing other activities that would benefit us, or ones that fall into the more mundane “life management” category?

Consider the following add-on to the question “What do I want to create (by this investment in myself)? Getting clarity on that will help filter how you choose your investments. Optimally, your choices are supporting your core values and help you feel grounded and more confident. If being grounded, confident and ready to make and implement decisions sounds good to you, stay tuned for my upcoming training “Foundations for Fall.”

I’d love to here your thoughts on how, when and why you invest in yourself. Please leave your comments below.

Ps. Stay tuned for next week’s post from colleague Heather Higgins, ASID, CID, whose NYC based design firm helps clients maximize their small living spaces by investing in their homes.

Pss. Be sure and read last week’s post with a CEO’s tip on how he helps keep