3 Reasons Investing in Yourself is the Greatest Financial Move
When it comes to investments and building wealth, you may only think of advice from financial experts suggesting you buy stock or deposit into a 401k. However, there is a more strategic investment that is often overlooked and can even result in better results: you.
1. Knowledge and skills are two possessions you will always have regardless of your financial stability.
Investing in yourself by expanding your knowledge and skills is the most important advance you can make for your financial future. Self-improvement methods have gone beyond choosing the salad, taking that workout class, or making sure to wash your face every night. Physical improvement is important, and while making small changes like these may help you feel a lot happier; they're not everything. The next time you scroll past a magic vitamin ad or that really expensive cleanser consider how far that product will actually take you. Will you really be a better person after buying something? Bettering yourself starts with something you will actually do every day, your career.
According to this article by Business Insider, there is a 93% difference in median earnings between college grads and non-grads. Stocks, real estate, business, even overtime at work can become smart investments. As the economy moves, the one investment you should always evaluate is the time you put into yourself. Marketability, employability, and your competitive edge are not forever. Your skills can become outdated and even obsolete. This is why updating and diversifying your skills is so important. Investing in yourself, updating and diversifying the skills you can use at any time is the best way to stay competitive even when the economy moves.
2. Personality and attitude are moderators of income and mental well-being.
Winning a race during recess at school, passing your driver’s test after your 16th birthday, convincing your parents to let you go to the party, all things you may have accomplished through goal setting and a positive attitude. As Alpha Gamma explained in a recent article “whether you are an employee, an investor, or own your own business, your personality and attitude are critically important for your success.” We have been told these things for as long as we can remember, well turns out our parents and teachers were right. A bad attitude really will hold you back in life.
The struggles of group work are all too familiar, but have you considered going into a new situation with an uplifting attitude versus the usual assumption of ghosted emails and unbalanced workload? Negative mindsets often lead to disappointing results.
3. Networking can open financial doors.
“Take a job for what you can learn, not for what it will pay you,” said Porter Gale in his book, Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Unlock the Hidden Power of Connections for Wealth, Success, and Happiness in the Digital Age. After four-plus years of school we can sometimes forget why we’re even taking the classes… we want a job! Make connections throughout your school experience and that final semester rush to be employed will seem all the more approachable. Stay involved with organizations to build a web of not only reliable resources but also friends. Your favorite professor could be the connection that links you to your first internship or job. Remember to be mindful of the connections you make, because you never know which classmate you’ll run into down the professional road. ‘That person’ from the group project could be your interviewer in ten years. Always treat professional interactions with care, and while remaining honest and true to yourself, make as many connections in the places you’d like to be as possible.
Investing in yourself emotionally, physically, and financially can open doors to a better version of yourself. When you focus on these things, you will see the change in others around you who are now more drawn to your success.
About Riley:
Riley Youngs is a senior majoring in advertising and public relations. When she’s not nannying she loves home decor and DIY crafting. She is so happy to have found PR and that she joined GrandPR and PRSSA.