| Not investing in yourself is like floating down a fast | | | | own future and take the path less traveled. |
| river without a paddle, map or knowledge of what's | | | | Sometimes, investing means taking a risk, but that's |
| around the next bend. Things may go fine for a | | | | the price of entry for success and happiness.7. |
| while, but at some point, you're going to realize you | | | | Because the World Is a Complex Place |
| made a giant mistake.To avoid such unforeseen | | | | You cannot know everything you need to know or |
| disaster in your career, you need to invest in it to | | | | do everything you need to do alone. You can't be |
| proactively and thoughtfully create a plan for | | | | your best without help. Find and invest in those who |
| achieving your career and life goals.And if that | | | | can teach you, show you the way and help you |
| doesn't convince you, here are 10 reasons why | | | | achieve your goals.8. Life Is Too Short for Mediocrity |
| investing in your career is a must.1. The Greatest | | | | You don't have the luxury of being mediocre -- |
| Return on Investment, Anywhere | | | | period. Whether you opt for self-improvement or |
| The return on investing and improving yourself is | | | | outsourcing your weak areas to someone who can |
| astronomically higher than any financial investment | | | | do them better, determine where you are mediocre |
| you could make. From increased lifetime earning | | | | and get help.9. It's a Cliche, But on Your Deathbed? |
| power and unimagined opportunities, to protecting | | | | The reason we hear this often is that it is so true. |
| yourself from unemployment and the satisfaction | | | | The passage of time will provide a perspective we |
| that comes from personal growth and success -- the | | | | don't have now. One day, you'll look back at your |
| returns are enormous.2. You're the Boss of You | | | | problems and successes and see them as bumps in |
| If you're the president and CEO of You Inc., then it's | | | | the road. Your focus will be on the big picture: the life |
| your job to ensure you don't go out of business. It's | | | | you led, opportunities pursued or abandoned, how |
| your job to nurture growth and prosperity. You do | | | | happy you were and the legacy you left behind. |
| this by carefully planning, performing consistently, | | | | Investing in yourself will give you the courage and |
| operating true to your mission and investing in You | | | | determination to be happy and do your own thing.10. |
| Inc.3. Become More Valuable | | | | Who Else Can You Count On? |
| Draw up two balance sheets for yourself. The first | | | | Let's face it: You're alone on this. No one has as |
| one should be a list of your financial assets and | | | | much to gain or lose as you do. No one else is going |
| liabilities. The second should be a list of your skills, | | | | to make those consistent investments in your |
| ideas, knowledge, marketability, personal networks, | | | | development to maximize your career and life.How to |
| passion and ability to make things happen. Increase | | | | Invest in Your Career |
| your personal net worth by investing in your second | | | | Invest in understanding yourself better and |
| list ? that's how you'll increase the assets on your | | | | developing your goals, plans, professional skills, |
| first list.4. Become Great | | | | knowledge, career management skills, networks, and |
| You are capable of greatness. Most of us settle for | | | | your personal brand and profile. Do it yourself, or |
| just getting by, using a fraction of our capabilities. | | | | work with experts like career coaches.Try thinking, |
| This is tragic. Realize your greatness by identifying | | | | planning, self-assessment tools, goal development, |
| your talents and investing in your potential.5. Achieve | | | | reading, consulting experts, getting coached, taking |
| Your Goals | | | | courses, upgrading or acquiring skills and proactively |
| Your career and life goals are far too important to | | | | marketing yourself. Recognize that investing in you |
| be just wishes. A mismanaged career can derail your | | | | often requires that you don't play it safe.Ian Christie |
| life goals. Investing in yourself dramatically increases | | | | is a career coach, entrepreneur, former Sr. Director & |
| the probability of achieving your goals and is a real | | | | former executive recruiter. Ian is a career expert |
| demonstration of your commitment to achieving | | | | with many published articles and media interviews. |
| them.6. Create Your Own Future | | | | Visit for free career resources & personalized career |
| Your career is yours to mold. Investing in yourself | | | | services. |
| gives you the clarity, power and tools to create your | | | | |