What’s the first thing you think about when you hear the word “investing”? Probably investing in stocks, real estate, or savings. But what about yourself? Whether that’s expanding your knowledge, developing positive new habits (while breaking negative ones), or getting your financial and personal affairs organized, it’s your responsibility to give back to yourself before you can give your time and energy to other people and things.
Investing in yourself is a sure-fire way to heap a return on investments. And we promise, after spending these next 12 months working on yourself, you’ll be glad you did.
What does it mean to invest in yourself?
Investing in yourself means actively working towards your personal growth and well-being. This could mean learning new things, honing your skills, or just making sure you’re mentally and physically healthy. It’s about setting goals that matter to you and really going for them. It’s a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself. And the cool thing? By investing in yourself, you’re not just improving your own life, but you’re also better equipped to make a positive impact on others. It’s a journey that helps you handle whatever life throws at you and grab opportunities along the way, leading to a more satisfying and balanced life.Embrace lifelong learning
Education doesn’t end once you leave the classroom, and you can build your skill set and feed your passions with lifelong learning. There’s still so much to learn in this world and there are so many ways to access new information. If you’re interested in enhancing your financial literacy this year, look no further. We offer lots of free online resources to help you get started on your financial journey―from online courses and money tips to resources and tools. Whether you’d like to learn more about budgeting, paying off debts, planning for retirement or credit, we have something for everyone.Prioritize your mental health
According to a 2018 study, at least 44% of Canadians believe their financial state impacts their mental health in a negative way. Are you one of them? This year make your mental health a priority by checking in with yourself regularly to manage stress levels and prevent burnout. Give yourself permission to take a break, make a mistake and set boundaries. Understand that you might not be where you thought you’d be right now (who is?) but that you’ll get there one day.Set goals
We know it might feel pointless to set 2023 goals―considering how well everyone’s went last year―but hear us out. These goals don’t have to be sweeping, over-arching goals like paying off all your debts (especially as we don’t know how the economy is going to fare this year). They can be as simple as setting up auto payments with your financial institution, limiting eating out to only once per month, or updating your resumé. Whatever short-term and perhaps long-term goals you choose to focus on this year, make sure they’re obtainable and won’t leave you feeling worse off at the end of the year if you don’t accomplish all of them.Find a mentor
We could all use a friend to talk to―especially about our finances. Find a financial mentor this year to help you navigate your money, so you can get closer to reaching your financial goals. We recommend starting here, at Money Mentors. Our accredited counsellors offer free, unbiased credit counselling and money coaching to Albertans, helping you see your financial worth and all that you are capable of.Start a journal
We’ve already talked in the past about the importance of money diaries, so if you haven’t started one yet, now’s your chance. But your journal doesn’t have to solely be focused on money. It’s a great, safe space to reflect, plan, visualize and forgive. There are lots of benefits to journaling, like managing stress, identifying issues, and solving problems. It’s also a great place to practice gratitude and set goals.
