Earlier in my career, I thought that since I had landed a job with a Fortune 500 company, I no longer needed to be investing in myself. After all, the company supplied training in sales, quality, leadership, and time management. But nothing could be further from the truth. The elements on which I was trained contributed to a successful career in the company and provided many skills I now use. However, to be a well-rounded person and thriving in every area of your life, you need to invest in yourself.
We often neglect areas of our life such as overall health, weight and exercise, mindset, developing new interests and developing new skills. We put off investing in these areas because we are putting family, friends, or work first. But an investment in yourself is not a selfish act. When you make changes and improvements in your life, the benefits extend beyond yourself to your family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers you encounter.
I recommend taking online courses and attending seminars in addition to professional development opportunities at your job to keep your skills up to date and to develop new ones. This weekend was proof for me that that it’s a valuable investment. I participated in an educational seminar on my passion and I am already reaping the rewards of my investment. I connected with people of the same mindset and I am planning a speaking event with two entrepreneurs with related skills and passions.
Reading anything and everything can expand your mind and make you a more interesting conversationalist in both your professional and personal life. In addition to reading, word games keep your mind active and your mental abilities strong.
Seek out a mentor. An executive at your company or someone you meet at a seminar or volunteer opportunity can offer guidance and insights. You don’t have to meet weekly or even monthly. A well planned quarterly meeting can provide valuable information and keep you on the right path to success.
I enjoy conversations with a friend who loves to take the opposing point of view. Sometimes we switch sides just to explore the possibilities and keep us sharp when we negotiate.
Exploring cultural activities can enhance your skills and add new interests. A seminar on speaking and storytelling I attended had a bonus session with a Hollywood star and I learned so many new things that would allow me to be a better speaker. My interest in theatre, opera, music, and travel allow me to engage in more interesting conversations in networking events as well as bring me new personal joys.
Investing in caring for your body is not an extravagance. The business owners I met this weekend shared success stories of the transformations in their client’s lives when they invested in diets, stress relieving massages, and holistic healing. Investing in your body is like investing in a good car – take care of it and it will last a long time. My grandson is now driving my 2000 Lexus ES300 with 255,000 miles as it has received excellent care. So get your check ups and get plenty of rest – you’ll have the best opportunity to last a long time, too.
Finally, don’t forget to make the outside match the inside. An up to date haircut or a new suit can do wonders for that confident feeling.
Investing in yourself truly makes a difference in your life, your well-being, and your ability to thrive and perform to the best of your ability. Remember, investing in yourself shows you think you are valuable and should be respected.
Invest in yourself and enjoy a thriving life of joy and success!
About the Authors: Phyllis Mikolaitis and John Switzer are sales coaches and developers each with over 30 years’ global experience. They are dedicated to taking you beyond the typical “how to” courses to the heart of persuasion techniques incorporating insights and stories to win the sale. Explore the other pages on our website www.salestrainingsolutions.com/ where you can learn more about winning with stories and the latest sales skills as well as our personal and group coaching.