One of the Greatest Investments You’ll Make

Why did you pay $50 for a book on project management? Aren’t you already a PMP?

Why do you get up at 5AM to go to the gym and run races on weekends? Do you like not sleeping and pain?

Why would you volunteer to stand in front of a crowd of strangers and present? What if people don’t like what you’re talking about?

Why do you spend your time going to events where people talk about ideas they have or solutions they’re developing? Aren’t they just looking for investors?

I’ve gotten these questions from friends, peers, and complete strangers. They usually start with “Why do you…” or “Why are you…” But the real question is, WHY DO I DO THESE THINGS?

The answer is simple; I look at these as an investment, IN MYSELF!

There are enough articles and self-help books on the market talking about being true to yourself, setting goals and creating the best you that you can be, so I won’t try to recreate what so many others have done. Instead, I’ll give you the one reason I work hard to invest in myself…because no one else is gonna do it!

That’s right. I take the initiative to invest in myself because if I don’t, who will? Sure, I can ask my employer to send me to a training or attend a professional organization presentation. But these wouldn’t happen without me taking some initiative to research a seminar or leave the house to attend an event. Same goes for exercising. Those shoes won’t put themselves on and run. I want to invest in being healthy and live a better life, so I make exercise a priority. Going to events where people pitch ideas? What better place to learn presentation techniques and meet others interested in learning more about potential products. All these I consider important and invest time and effort into.

I’ve had people tell me my investments sound crazy and they’d never do them. You’ve probably heard that too. Just because it falls outside of their norms doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea and you should stop doing it. Don’t listen. Instead, remind yourself that it’s important to you and make an investment. Don’t stop.

Find what interests you, what you want to learn more about, and/or what helps you be healthier and invest time and effort doing it. Don’t let others sway your opinion. Investing in yourself is one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make.