Warren Buffett’s net worth is $75.6 billion — he’s #2 on Forbes’ list of “The 12 Notable New Billionaires of 2017.” Bill Gates is #1, if you’re curious.
And yet, here’s a billionaire recommending investing in yourself rather then investing in stocks or bonds — even saying this investment is the best kind.
This past Sunday, my husband and I took the afternoon and drove up into the mountains to see the fall colors. We caught remnants of autumn — photographed glimpses of aspen trees and ducks and geese swimming along a mountain river. We alternated between taking pictures with our Canon camera and with our phone cameras. And we talked. About things we want to do. Things we need to do. You know — life.
Those few hours away were an investment in ourselves. We came back rested, refreshed, and better prepared for the upcoming week, which is going to be even busier than usual.
And here’s the even bigger reality: we’ve talked about going to the mountains to see the fall colors for years. Years. And this is the year that we finally made the time to go.
In Your Words: How do you invest in yourself? And when was the last time you did it?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”6DLup” via=”yes” ]In Others\’ Words: Personal Investment http://wp.me/p63waO-2qB #quotes #personalinvestment [/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”5sb6e” via=”yes” ]\”There\’s one investment that supersedes all others: Invest in yourself.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2qB #quotes #WarrenBuffett [/ctt]
Comments 6
Interesting question.
My feeling is that investing in oneself is doomed to a tail-chasing failure, that we have to invest in something bigger than ourselves.
For me, it’s the belief that Tokyo 2020 is still within reach; the dream is bigger than the dreamer. If I invested in myself, the sheer volume of pain and other stuff would turn me away; the egocentric “i” has to become suborned to the goal, with all ruthless and cold endeavour.
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Andrew:
Even as you resist the idea of self-investment, you do so — for the benefit of yourself to benefit others.
See the paradox?
We can better help others when we take care of ourselves first. It is the whole “put on you oxygen mask first” idea.
I once had a friend tell me that she never left her kids because she was a good mom — and yet, I argued that I was a better mom for some time away from my kids. Catching my breath, renewing my spirit, and yes, even remembering that before I was a mom I was “just Beth” and that I was also a wife — didn’t want to forget my husband in the midst of all the kiddos.
Beth, I love this. I was really hoping that this would be the year we as a family could drive into the mountains to see the fall colors. Well, marching band and football prevented that. This has been a tricky year to find consistent time to invest in myself. My husband has agreed to let me take some time a couple Saturdays each month to write. This is a huge, refreshing investment in myself. And it makes me a better mom to have time to pursue something I enjoy without guilt. 🙂
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Jeanne: I understand about the “not this year, maybe next year” kind of plans. Keep trying! And I know you are thankful for your husband that supports your writing dreams. Sometimes we need someone who helps us with personal investing, don’t we? 🙂
By having a winter refuge, although it’s a big deal to have it all come together. In the Bible God mentions Cities of Refuge a lot, for personal safety, for accidents that have caused unintentional damage where He makes a provision to protect the person from retaliation. We’re probably meant to consider the ramifications of Refuge a bit more than we do–I believe I will. Meanwhile, I’m glad you intentionally enjoyed the fall colors and ended up with MORE.
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Dee: I’ve studied the Cities of Refuge — even considered writing a book about them. I thing you are correct in that we need to consider the intent of them more than we do. God declares Himself out refuge — and that is a comforting thought, is it not?