Invest In Yourself

Finding your own time

Finding your own time is not being selfish, and it should not have any cause for guilt. With the crazy, busy world we live in, finding time to invest in yourself can be a huge challenge.

As women, we do experience guilt when we manage to find a few moments of time for ourselves. Sometimes, we give up before we do because it doesn’t feel worth the effort. But…it is.

The truth is that when you take some of that precious time for yourself, you are actually making a great investment…in YOU. In fact, taking time to invest in yourself gives your brain a chance to reboot, improves your concentration, increases productivity, gives you a chance to think deeply, and helps you problem solve more effectively.

It also gives you a better sense of balance and self-awareness that can lead to a better understanding of yourself—what drives you, what inspires you, what excites you.

In the article “Nine Reasons Why Investing In Yourself Is The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make” by Chris Toyne, he explains how powerful CPD can be.

Have you heard this acronym about this topic? I hadn’t and I love it…it’s all about Continuous Professional Development. Perhaps, if we looked at investing in ourselves as something that has the word “professional” in it, we might not feel as guilty if we actually do this.

He makes a lot of sense when he explains what CPD can do. “It’s an effective way of enhancing your skills and employability. From higher salaries to increased job satisfaction, investing in yourself can help you level up your career and life.”

As a Libra, I am all for balance, and I believe we have found a middle ground here.

Invest in yourself by seeking out new opportunities and experiences that challenge and inspire you. Engaging in personal growth activities will not only enhance your skills but also boost your self-esteem.

Ready to find some time for yourself?

Ok, back to the personal side a bit…

Consider how you can invest in yourself through learning new skills, attending workshops, or reading books that inspire you. Each effort to invest in yourself is a step toward a brighter future.

Ready to find some time for yourself? Here are a few ideas:

Another way to invest in yourself is to surround yourself with positive influences. Building a support network can greatly benefit your personal and professional growth.

Invest in yourself by taking care of your physical health as well. Regular exercise and a balanced diet play crucial roles in your overall well-being and productivity.

1. While it may be challenging with the schedules we are all keeping, you can wake up a little earlier than everyone else. This gives you a few moments of alone time to do the things that are easier to do when it’s quiet and the phone is not ringing.  You can also unplug from all your electronics and spend some time like it was 1960.
2. Reschedule some of your “tasks” …what is on your never-ending list that can be eliminated or consolidated? Can anything be postponed for a later date. Better yet, can you delegate? You will be able to free up some time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.
3. Start small.  You don’t have to find hours of alone time. With 20-30 minutes you can read a chapter of a book, meditate, take a walk or sit and simply be.  When you see how much more relaxed you are, chances are you will be looking at more ways to restructure your day.
4. Drop the guilt. Spending time with yourself is time well spent because it makes you a happier person to be around. Spending time with yourself benefits everyone because by having a happier and healthier mindset, you’re in a better frame of mind to take care of the people who are important to you. Spending time with yourself is preventative medicine to combat burnout. What good will you be to anyone if you eventually burnout? (And you will if you don’t take care of yourself.)

Invest in yourself by making time for mindfulness and relaxation. These practices can enhance your clarity and focus, allowing you to tackle challenges more effectively.

Enhance your life

Lastly, always remember that the best investment you can make is to invest in yourself. This commitment to self-improvement will pay off in every aspect of your life.

How ever you decide to enhance your life, remember that this is your time being spent. Do you know how you want to spend it? What and who are your priorities? Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind…so enjoy every moment as it comes.

Remember, “Your life only gets better when you do. Invest in yourself, work on yourself, and the rest will follow.” Oh yeah, and…put on your oxygen mask first.