Why Investing in Yourself is the Best Investment You'll Ever Make!

Brighton

In the early years of making money, after getting a taste of spending a bit, many people start thinking (and if you haven't, you definitely should!) "I need to invest." Trying to make the most of your earnings through investment vehicles is a very wise move. We never know what life will bring, so it's essential to set aside some money. While today’s topic isn't financial investment, managing money wisely is also something that must be learned.

As important as developing the habit of financial investment is in our youth, today I want to emphasize that investing in ourselves is far more profitable than any material investment.

What Does It Mean to Invest in Yourself?

Our greatest project in life is ourselves. As we invest in ourselves, we grow, develop, and change. If we consider the journey of self-discovery as the truth of life, then there's no path other than self-investment. This investment is built on the triad of time, money, and effort.

While there is no age limit or boundary for learning and growing, in our youth, our primary focus should be on investing in ourselves. We should spend the majority of our earnings on this. The remaining money can be used for financial investments. Remember, the money you spend today on learning English will pay off many times over in the future. The investments you make in your body will protect you in old age and repay you many times over. While everyone's needs are different, I've summarized my own recommendations for self-investment into eight points.

1. Physical Fitness and Well-Being: Our body is the first and most effective tool we use to introduce ourselves to the world. Our confidence in our bodies is directly proportional to our self-confidence. You start judging yourself based on whatever you don't like about your appearance. Of course, this process should begin by accepting ourselves, including the parts we don't like, with a new perspective. If there are things we can change, we can take the necessary steps, such as losing excess weight, improving our posture, or becoming fitter. However, we should always remind ourselves that investing in our bodies is not just about appearance; it's also an investment in our health and future well-being. Although youth often focuses on appearance, every investment in your body will pay off many times over in the future. Learning a sport, following a regular exercise routine, practicing yoga or Pilates, or working with a dietitian or coach to lose weight—all of these are worth the time, money, and effort. Remember, physical development becomes much harder as we age.

2. Reading and Knowledge Acquisition: The diversity, knowledge, and perspectives that books offer can't be found in any other worldly pleasures. Thanks to e-readers like Kindle, we have access to the world's best authors with just a click. Never be stingy when it comes to spending money on books. Books are still one of the best gifts you can give or receive. Instilling a love of reading in children at a very young age is like giving them access to new worlds. I try as much as I can to pass on this habit to my children. In short, money spent on books is money well spent! Personal

3. Growth and Self-Discovery: I believe that the journey of self-discovery is one of the truths of this world. While self-discovery happens alone at its core, there are always resources available to help you on this path. Finding professional guides or mentors who can help you is a huge advantage. I've always been fortunate in this regard. I've been working with my therapist (who I believe is the best in the world) for five years. A personal coach I met in recent years also played a significant role in helping me achieve one of my greatest desires. I've invested considerable time, money, and effort in this, and I will continue to do so. If you haven't sought such help, decide what you want and research professionals who could be good for you. If one person doesn't work out, don't give up; find someone else.

4. Pursuing New Hobbies: No matter your age, it's a fact that acquiring new hobbies is incredibly beneficial. Sometimes, what starts as a hobby can evolve into something entirely different and open new doors for you. Many people have turned their hobbies into careers, leaving salaried jobs to embark on their journeys. Let's not forget that hobbies are also an excellent way to stay present. When you're painting, playing a musical instrument, taking photos, or gardening, you're fully in the moment, and for a while, life's worries stay away. For this reason alone, acquiring a hobby is worthwhile, making it one of the best personal investments.

5. Professional Development: Often, we prioritize our professional success over our personal growth, so it seems that the most generous investments people make are in professional training. Although professional training directly benefits your current job, it's essential for professional development. Since our profession is a part of who we are, we can discuss this within personal development topics. Invest generously in education, courses, certificates, and books that will enhance your skills and set you apart on the global stage. Strive to get the best training available. This investment will lay the groundwork for your future success.

6. Learning New Languages: Language learning is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of personal investment. After all, they say, "A person who knows a language lives one life, but someone who knows two languages lives two lives." The opportunities that learning a new language opens up for you are too significant to ignore. To work for a global company or pursue technical education or graduate programs at a reputable university, English is a must. Additionally, if your English proficiency is sufficient, you can read many books in their original form. There's no way I can list all the doors English can open for you—I’m sure you can find even more valid reasons than I can. This is an area where continuous improvement is essential. Learning a second language always requires interest and effort. There's no one-size-fits-all or perfect recipe for language learning. Follow methods that work for you and that you enjoy continuing. This could involve working with a tutor, taking a course, or using online learning platforms. You'll need to invest some time and effort in finding what works best for you.

7. Artistic and Cultural Engagement: I believe that engaging with the arts offers people a different perspective. We can remember a scene from a theater play years later. For example, I still get goosebumps whenever I recall the musical I first saw in London (Phantom of the Opera). Or the atmosphere of the Tekel Theater in Istanbul and the view of the Bosphorus greeting you as you exit are unforgettable. I used to think I didn’t understand much about visual art. I realized that wasn't true when I discovered the impressions the Picasso Museum in Barcelona left on me. I believe that what I saw there gave me new perspectives. So, I no longer believe that not understanding art is a valid notion. It's all about the emotions it evokes in you. Dedicating time to the arts is one of the best investments we can make at any age.

8. Travel and Exploration: Exploring new places is also an integral part of personal growth. There's a reason why people often debate whether it’s better to know by reading or by traveling. As soon as I started earning money, I set aside part of it for travel plans every year. Before moving to the UK, I tried to visit at least one country annually. One of those travel plans was to London. My story with London started on one of these trips. I loved it, and it loved me back. Eventually, I moved here and made it my home. Traveling remains one of my favorite personal investments. It's especially enjoyable during the energetic years of youth. Doing all of these things is, of course, not easy. While spending time, money, and effort, you must be organized and plan carefully. Believe me, bringing these three elements together at the same time is an achievement in itself. However, with a realistic plan, you can allocate time for all of them. The financial aspect is another topic for discussion. You need to budget for many of the things I’ve mentioned. This might mean making some sacrifices. If you’re constantly investing in your wardrobe, you probably won’t have enough left for other areas. So, be mindful of where you spend your money. Instead of eating out constantly, it might be wiser to save up and spend that money on a meal you love in a country you’ve always wanted to visit. In other words, you need to know when to give up some things to achieve others.

   
   

One last point before I wrap up!

If your bookshelf is filled with unread books or if you have courses you haven't started yet, you can't continue your journey without addressing a more fundamental issue. In other words, you’re spending money on acquiring these things but not investing the time and effort. Stop spending money in these areas first, and consider seeking personal support for topics like time management, planning, and creating routines. Personal investment is also a development area learned over time. You can start your journey with a plan tailored to you and your path, taking small steps.

Stay well until the next article 👋