The stock market is all over the news lately as it continues its roller coaster ride through 2022. It almost makes a person think twice about investing. Luckily there is more than one way to invest. The Cambridge Dictionary defines investment as “the act of putting money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage.” That can mean sinking money into stocks and bonds. But it can also mean a number of other things.
Last week I took a vacation. I spent a week camping my way up and down the Appalachian Mountains, with a three night stop in Tennessee to listen to bluegrass music. For me that was an investment in myself. When I left home I was burned out and emotionally exhausted. When I returned to work I was refreshed and rejuvenated. Putting that time and money into some time away yielded me the advantage of restoring my mind to a better place, which ultimately makes me better at my job and many other things in my life.
Most of my readers are full-time law students. Pursuing a degree is definitely an investment in yourself. Earning a law degree requires an investment of three years of your life as well as a good deal of money. It’s not a small investment. But the idea behind investing is that what you get in return is of greater value than what you put in. In exchange for three years, a bunch of money, and no small amount of stress, the return is a degree which can provide you with a rewarding and often lucrative career.
Another way to invest in yourself is to take good care of your physical health. Get some exercise. Eat some vegetables. Go to the doctor on occasion. Brush your teeth. All of these things require some effort. But the yield is a body better equipped to last you for a very long time. I admit that I struggle with this one (the exercise part specifically), but I know this is something that will be worthwhile and a good investment for the long run.
Ongoing education is another way to invest in yourself. This can take many forms. Learning a new language. Going to hear a speaker. Attending a conference. Using YouTube to learn a new MS Excel trick. Using YouTube to learn how to do a home repair. Pursuing another degree later in life. Doing continuing education to maintain a certification. Reading a book that will teach you a useful skill. Watching a documentary on PBS. The important thing is to never stop learning. Invest in yourself by investing in your brain.
The stock market is indeed scary right now. But it’s never the wrong time to invest in yourself. You are a thing of value. If you add more time and effort to that, you become a thing of even greater value. Every investment is a risk. But an investment in yourself is always worthwhile.