When it comes to investments, we’re used to hearing advice about stocks and bonds but did you know one of the best investments you can make is in yourself? Whatever your goal or dreams are, here are four tips to help get you started. 

Set personal development goals 

The first step involves setting clear goals that match what you want for your future. Once you have identified what you’re trying to achieve, it will be much easier to work towards it. Thinking about career progression? Want to achieve financial freedom? Once you’ve identified what you want, you’re more likely to change your behavior and take actionable steps to achieve it. 

Start a ‘Me’ Fund 

Many of us are used to spending money on things we enjoy or things that make us happy, but when it comes to spending on our personal development, we often make excuses. One way to normalize this is to set up a savings fund for your development. If allocating additional money is an issue, don’t worry – you can start small. Every time you’re tempted to order takeout or impulse buy something you know you might not really need, transfer the money to your personal development fund instead and watch it grow.  

Never stop learning 

Learning new skills, refining your expertise and broadening your knowledge are likely to be things you will need to prioritize to achieve your goals. Is there a course you want to sign up for? Now might be the perfect time to use the self-development fund you’ve been building. But learning doesn’t always have to cost money. Online tutorials, free workshops and podcasts are resources you can take advantage of. Start thinking about creative ways to build learning into your daily life. For example, subscribing to publications and following the latest news related to your goal are just a few ways to stay up to date with minimal effort! 

Be picky about how you spend your time 

We all know the saying ‘time is money’ and the reality is, it’s true. Why do we tend to spend more time watching Netflix or checking what other people are doing on Instagram rather than focusing on ourselves? Put yourself first and create a schedule and routine that forces you to invest your time in the things that are most important to you and your development. 

Final thoughts 

Sometimes making an investment in yourself can seem scary but it’s essential if you have goals you would like to achieve. Why not start with the tips outlined here and build from there? The effort you put in now will truly make a difference to your quality of life long-term. What are you waiting for? Start investing in yourself!