Invest in You

In the last few weeks I have been transforming my study habits (with help from a great book) and have been extremely happy to find pockets of conversation within my fields of interest that I didn’t even know existed.  New ideas have built on old ones and my notebooks and blog post have been filled with insight I gained because of my new habits.  For many the practice of continual study sounds nice, but the reality of busy schedules means it doesn’t happen.  This was me about a month ago, and this post is me urging you from the other side.

Invest in yourself! When you do we all benefit.  When you are more informed, more inspired, and more knowledgeable you are far more valuable a friend, colleague, or acquaintance and I would venture to say you’ll be even more productive than before.

Start with stimuli.  What kind of things are you taking in?  If you haven’t read a blog, book, newspaper, journal, or other credible source from within your field of work this week than you are choosing to be uninspired and most likely unhappy.  We are only at our best when we are learning something that can be applied to our lives.  If you hate reading form a new relationship with someone you respect, find a lecture on YouTube, download a podcast and listen while you drive or exercise.  With stocks and bonds tanking all around us make an investment in yourself, the returns will benefit us all.