Investing in Yourself

Investing in stock, bonds, and/or real estate is a calculated risk. You may win or you may lose.

We are told to invest steadily and invest for the long term and our return on investment, ROI, will support us in our retirement. But, with the recent downturn in the real estate and stock markets, and our economy in general many people no longer believe this.

But, is that all there is to life? Money? Money gives us choices, but it doesn’t create lasting fulfillment, joy or love.

What if I told you there was an investment you could make that gave you a lifetime of returns from the moment you invested your capital? What if I told you that the capital you invested could be small, and did not always have to be money? What if I told you that these investments had a guaranteed return and that fulfillment, joy and love were the dividends paid?

Are you curious?

Have you figured out yet what the capital is? What the investment is?

The ‘capital’ you invest is both your time and your money and the ‘investment’ is you! This is the number one investment you can make and it is an investment that provides a lifetime of returns.

Investing in lifelong learning is a key component to any investment portfolio for your future. This investment takes both time and money. But, once invested, no one can take it away from you. When you learn something new it is yours and yours alone and yours for a lifetime.

When you invest in yourself by taking the time to do the things you love, things that bring you joy and things that enhance your life, and investing time and money in a lifelong learning portfolio, you are creating an environment where you can thrive intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

So, what does this type of personal lifelong learning investment portfolio look like?

A lifelong learning portfolio like this includes both time (a non-monetary investment) and money.

Time..

* To do the things you enjoy and bring you joy.
* To spend family and friends.
* For reading.
* For learning.
* For thinking and contemplation.
* To explore ideas.
* To play and have fun.
* For self-care.

Money for…

* Books
* Tapes and CD’s
* Classes, workshops and seminars
* Home study courses
* Conferences and expos
* Teleclasses
* Membership and organization fees

So, now that you know what your personal lifelong learning investment portfolio looks like, what does your ROI look like? What are the dividends paid?

Some possibilities include…

* Greater health and vitality
* A spring in your step and reason to get up in the morning
* Friends who share common values and beliefs
* Support and encouragement from your ‘tribe’
* Enthusiasm for life
* Greater self-confidence stemming from greater self-knowledge
* Hope

How do I know this?

I have always invested time and money in books, both fiction and non-fiction. I did this to feed an insatiably hunger for knowledge. I have a burning desire to know and to understand virtually everything. This investment in books alone has helped me survive numerous difficult and dark periods in my life and continues to pay returns to this day. I remember stories I read as child and tidbits of knowledge I’ve picked up along the way. I own all of this. It is mine and no one, ever, can take it away from me.

Over the last two yeas I expanded my investment portfolio and have spent countless hours and several thousands dollars attending workshops and seminars around the country, enrolling in home study courses, participating in teleclasses and taking online classes.

In the last twenty-four months I have visited eight different cities, in six different states to invest my time and my money attending workshops that interested me.

For some of you this may not seem like a lot, especially if you travel for business, but for me it is a tremendous investment. First, each trip and each workshop was something I wanted to do and was funded solely by me. No company expense account. Secondly, this is equivalent to three to four times the amount of travel as compared to my entire lifetime.

What about my returns?

The combined time and money investment has already paid dividends beyond my wildest dreams.

What do these dividends look like?

* I have never been happier than I am today.
* I have never been more fulfilled than I am today.
* I have never had so much hope for my future and the future of my family and friends.
* I am surrounded by people who share my values and beliefs and hope for the future.
* I have built friendships that I expect to last a lifetime.
* I have a support circle, a tribe, which encourages me and believes in me.
* I feel better physically, mentally and emotionally than I ever have.
* I have a deeper sense of spirit and belonging.
* I believe in myself and treat myself with loving kindness.
* And, I have more to give others than I ever thought possible. The more I give, the more I have to give.

I didn’t start out investing lots of money. I started with time. Then I added books, followed by classes at the local community colleges, free ‘meet-ups, and teleclasses.

October 2007 was the first time I invested in something ‘big’ that I was interested in and traveled to Delray Beach Florida for me a four day seminar.

Investing time and money into a personal lifelong learning investment portfolio was a way to feed and support my dreams and goals. I invested in things I loved and wanted to know more about. I invested my time in doing the work required and into building and maintaining relationships.

And, I will continue to invest in myself. The return on the investment is a lifetime guarantee.

So, what does your personal lifelong learning investment portfolio look like?

(Originally published in The Dreaming Cafe newsletter, Issue No. 42 Sunday, November 1, 2009. If you enjoyed this article you can subscribe HERE)