Chapter Content
Okay, so, like, let's talk about the single greatest investment in the world. It's something my dad told me back when I was in college, and honestly, it's stuck with me. It's probably the best investment advice I've ever gotten, you know?
Basically, he said, make it a rule to, like, *never* think twice about investing in yourself. And I'm not just talking about stocks or bonds or whatever. I'm talking about things like books, courses, getting an education... stuff like that. Also, fitness, super important. Networking events, getting out there and meeting people. Good quality food, because you are what you eat, right? Mental health, gotta take care of your brain. Personal development, always striving to be better. And, oh yeah, sleep! Don't underestimate the power of a good night's sleep.
I know, I know, these things might seem like expenses, right? Like, money going out. But seriously, think of them as investments. Investments that pay dividends in your life for a long, long time. It's, like, exponential growth, you know?
For example, when I landed my first job, I decided to live by myself instead of, like, cramming into an apartment with three other roommates. On the surface, it seemed kinda dumb financially, because it was, like, twice the cost per month. But it gave me space, you know? Space to really focus, space to actually relax. And I honestly think that investment, even though it cost more upfront, totally paid for itself in, like, accelerated career growth within a year. Seriously.
The thing is, we tend to underestimate how valuable these kinds of investments really are. The financial cost is, like, right there in front of you, easy to quantify. So we tend to focus on that, and totally ignore all the other benefits in our lives. But if you actually think about the benefits in terms of other types of wealth – you know, time, social connections, mental well-being, physical health – you'll be able to, like, more accurately account for them. And you'll make a much better long-term decision, you know?
So yeah, the rule of thumb: Never think twice about investing in yourself. Ever.
But, on the other hand, definitely think twice about material purchases. Seriously. Try this thirty-day rule, okay? Wait thirty days before you actually complete the order. If, after thirty days, you still really want it, then go for it. If not, skip it! Trust me, this has saved me a ton of money on stupid impulse buys that would have just ended up gathering dust somewhere. Then you can take all that money you saved and redeploy it into investments in yourself. Double win!
Basically, always invest in yourself. You'll never regret it. It's a life hack, really.