When you think of investments, you automatically think of stocks, bonds, funds, or real estate. Certainly, you need to invest your hard-earned money in these asset classes. But there are other investments you need to do that affect other areas of your life, which in the end will have not only a financial impact but also will pay dividends that you cannot put a price tag on.
- Invest your time
You probably heard the expression, “The most important resource we have is time.” And that is so true. You can lose money and make it back. But once you lose time, there is no turning back. It is gone forever.
Be wise about how you use your precious time. How? Prioritize the things that are most important. At work, do the tasks that contribute the most to your success. If you are a business owner or a manager, this may require learning how to delegate or outsource so you can focus on doing what you do best.
By being more productive with your time, you get to do more, achieve more, and earn more.
- Invest in your education
Your education does not end once you graduate from college. If you stop learning, you will stop growing. The most successful people in the world continue to learn. As they say, leaders are readers.
There are many ways to invest in your continuing education, both professional development, and personal growth. Read books, newspapers, magazines, websites, newsletters, and e-books. Attend conferences, seminars, expos, and training programs. Find a mentor or join a group to learn from other people. Enroll in a graduate program or certification course.
Investing in your personal and professional growth means more knowledge and better skills that will help you in your career, business, and finances.
- Invest in your relationships
You need people to succeed in life. Start with your family. Your relationship with your spouse and children is your priority. Keep in touch with your friends, whether it’s a short private message or comment on Facebook or occasionally going out with them.
For work, add value to your relationships by helping colleagues. You can be the go-to person for solutions or the connector who can make useful introductions or endorsements. Help without asking for something in return. One day, they will return the favor. And even if they don’t, just being able to help someone out is rewarding in itself.
With family and friends, your social relationships contribute significantly to your happiness and well-being. With work, your network will impact your net worth, so invest in your relationships with people.
- Invest in your health
If you want to be able to enjoy your family and reap the fruits of your labor, you need to take your health seriously. First is to get enough sleep. Second is to go on breaks, whether you are a weekend warrior or you go on extended vacations. Third is to eat right. Fourth is to exercise.
Don’t feel guilty if you spend time to rest, go to the gym, visit the spa, or go on vacation. It is not a waste of time.
It may be a cliché to say “health is wealth” but it is true. Not only can you avoid wasting money on medicines and hospitalization for neglecting your health, you also add to your productivity and effectiveness if you are physically fit.
- Invest in your spiritual growth
Your life will be out of sync if you neglect your spiritual growth. Worse, you will be a mess. If you don’t have a strong foundation, it is easy to be overwhelmed, stressed, and frustrated. So start with spending some quiet time in the morning preferably to start your day right. That can involve praying, reading the Bible, and meditating. Having an attitude of gratitude will put your mind in the right perspective.
Find renewal in your spirit and inspiration for your soul by attending worship services, prayer meetings, Bible study groups, and volunteering in ministries and charity work. It has been proven that giving your time and money will benefit both you and others. Practice tithing, which is returning a tenth of what you earn to the Lord through your local church. There are Biblical promises of prosperity, financial and otherwise, to those who tithe.
As you can see, investing goes beyond putting money in equities or properties. Investing in your time, education, relationships, health, and spiritual growth will benefit the other areas of your life, which are actually more important than your financial wealth, but also will have the added bonus of contributing to your bottom line.
