"Ultimately, there's one investment that supersedes all others: Invest in yourself. Nobody can take away what you've got in yourself, and everybody has potential they haven't used yet.” Warren Buffett
What’s the definition of an investment?
In this context, to invest is to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage: (expectation of an advantage or greater return in the future)
“A stitch in time saves nine” is a well-known saying that suggests investing a little time today can save lots of time in the future.
So, to invest in oneself is to put effort in today, on a personal level, that will return more tomorrow, in terms of, for example:
- · Work or life skills
- · Relationships/networks
- · Learning experiences
- · Health/Wellbeing
- · Lifestyle
A good example is attending University (to get a degree, to get a better job, to earn more, to have more job satisfaction) or taking the time to regularly go to the gym (to get more healthy so you can enjoy life to the fullest – or even to live for longer)
A large part of investing in self is to build your knowledge and skills, and form strong and lasting relationships.
These investments usually take the form of reading often and widely, making the effort to attending courses, training and programs, attending conferences and accessing a mentor and/or coach.
Read more about how to invest in yourself here – ‘the top 10 ways to invest in yourself – and why it’s so powerful’