Now Is The Time To Invest In Yourself

Throughout our childhood, we receive advice from family and teachers on how we should succeed in life. Study hard. Get good grades. Go to college for a quality career. Get married and have a family. Buy the dream home. Financial success and prosperity. Provide for your family. Send your kids to college. Become proud grandparents.

In reality, our real life experiences can throw us major curve balls, and impact what we envision as our dream future. In the same vein, life experiences create magnificent opportunities. Well-meaning guidance and suggestions from family and friends is beneficial. It is to be part of our consideration. It can give us goals, and affirm what we know about ourselves.

Careers can include being of service. A social worker, doctor, nurse, lawyer, first-responder, accountant, veterinarian, military, waitperson. A career in science. A researcher, chemist, biologist, architect, engineering. A career in entertainment. An artist, musician, dancer, playwright, author, actor, composer.

The career you choose is, however, to be one that nurture’s your heart as a priority. It should give you a feeling of passion and purpose, rather than financial security. Financial security is a goal one needs to have a degree of focus upon. We do need money to pay our bills, to support our family and lifestyle, to finance our dreams. Money being ‘the root of all evil’ is a fallacy. Money is a form of energy exchange. It has no judgment. It can influence or impede financial security. It is what you do with it that matters. But financial security is often temporary and based on your decisions and emotions.

Enter into your career choice with enthusiasm, passion, and a zest for knowledge. It may turn out that your career changes as you grow older. Jobs will definitely change through the years. You may be an individual who says, “Money does not matter or drive me.” This is a learned, mental paradigm picked up from your upbringing and childhood environment. Change it. Start thinking of how you can use financial security to benefit others.

Peace, happiness, and love are a daily practice. Give time and energy to that which you want more of in your life. Invest in yourself for a higher quality of life. You’re worth it ~ Akiroq Brost

Set the intention for the Universe to bring you the desired security level, combined with benefiting others. We are investing in ourselves throughout life. The car to get us to our job. The clothes, shoes, material lifestyle purchases that makes us feel good. The college costs to give us the standing for a lucrative job. The purchases supporting our child’s needs.

The irony of all the above is that these aspects of life typically do not bring us happiness. The happiness that is self-sustaining. Those objectives are often short-lived, or merely a stepping stone towards that ever-dangling carrot. The job promotions or salary increases keep coming. Yet, how frequent are these truly opportunities, and what is the toll for achieving them?

Do we become a workaholic to the extent that we neglect to nurture our marriage or relationship, or spend time with our family? We may be providing for the family, but not have a family life. Money does not but all of the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of life.

Each of us have experienced an analogous ‘gazelle through a pack of lions’ situation. It brings up emotions and feelings that result in fear and anxiety. We are in such a time now in 2020 – a worldwide pandemic that has put life on hold, or on a precipitous path, for so many. Dramatic financial, personal or lifestyle crisis is now our partner in life – albeit temporary. Social distancing, unemployment, death, fear, and anxiety is our reality for the time being.

One may think, how can I invest in myself in such times of uncertainty? How we deal with all these challenges relates to our emotions and actions – our response to primary instinctual threats, real or imagined. Take the time to do introspection. Are you happy with your current job? Do you love your career, but not where you are doing it currently? Are you burned out? How is your romantic relationship? If you are not in one explore why you believe that is the case? What do you bring to the experience? What is on your bucket list?

Yet, the Covid-19 pandemic is also an incredible opportunity beyond the pain. The material aspects of life have become splintered and crumbling. All the things we thought primary sources of our happiness are now being threatened and reconsidered.

There is no more profitable investment than investing in yourself. It is the best investment you can make; you can never go wrong with it. It is the true way to improve yourself to be the best version of you and lets you be able to best serve those around you ~ Roy T. Bennett

During this time, take advantage of businesses and universities currently offering free online courses to the public. Expand your knowledge base. Learn new skills. Learn a foreign language, start that book, commit to improving your communication skills. Be authentic in your introspection.

Remember that anxiety and fear only serves to keep us from our inspiration and creativity. Successful people will tell you the biggest investment you can make is in yourself. Not your mortgage, not your lifestyle, not your belongings, not your credentials. Do something new today to be respectful and respected human being, who is of service to mankind and the world. Use this time in 2020 to invest in you. Plan for 2021 and beyond, and make honest, loving changes in your life.