We've all heard the age-old advice that you should invest in yourself, but do we?
From time to time I find someone who's not achieving their potential because they're waiting for their company to foot the bill for their personal or professional development, or they're simply held back by fear. If this is you, I want to offer you a loving reality check.
Perhaps it's time to step up.
Perhaps it's time to invest in yourself.
Don’t wait for the corporate mother hen
There was a time when I wasn’t willing to put my own hard-earned money towards my growth. I once missed an incredible conference simply because I wasn't prepared to cover the airfare, and my company wouldn't pick up the tab. Looking back now, I regret that immensely.
Fast forward to today, and I invest six figures of my own income each year in my own personal and professional growth. Why this change, you might ask?
Well, I’ve discovered that whilst investing in commodities, real estate, or the stock market can give you returns, nothing beats the return when you invest in yourself.
So don’t wait for your company to invest in you. This is a key mindset shift. You might have a budget for your holiday or for a shiny new flat-screen TV. But are you ready to create the budget for your own personal and professional growth?
Step up. Invest in yourself.
Overcoming the fear is part of the journey
Don't let fear hold you back. Fear is not your enemy. Rather, it's a sign that you're on the right track. Fear masks desire. It indicates you've found something of value, something that matters.
Every time I make a big investment in myself, I grapple with fear. Questions like "Do I have what it takes to make it work?" or "Am I going to get a return?" invariably crop up.
Yet, each time, I find that overcoming that fear by writing a bigger cheque than ever before is a key part of the transformation.
Because you step up. You invest in yourself.
Who will you choose to be?
So here's my challenge to you. Ask yourself:
Very probably: They would step up. They would take responsibility for their growth. They would face their fears and they would invest in themselves. So...
- Don't wait for someone else to invest in your future.
- Don't fool yourself it's OK to wait another quarter.
- Don't be held back by fear or uncertainty.
Be the person who who values their own growth enough to make the investment.
Step up. Invest in yourself.
Because the greatest investment you can ever make is in you.
