There is a quote which says that investing in yourself is the best investment. Because it is always worth it and it pays the best interest.
If I take this personal I think it is true (I can say that now, but I didn’t see that in my ‘messy middle state’*). After my degree in physiotherapy I didn’t want to work directly. I litterally invested money so I could do another study. By the time I was finished I still had not the urge to work and went travelling.
After these years I decided I was ready for work.
I started my career in the Netherlands but after three months, a beautiful job offer came along and that was the beginning of my Caribbean life. I was the only physical therapist on a small island for years, I became a personal trainer, nutrition specialist and sportpsychologist.
I do believe this is the result of my travel expereriences, and of my interests I developped during my years of studying. After all these investments – financial investments but also ‘time’ which includes a social life on the back burner- my worklife makes me very proud. I can say my investments were worth it! Although it took time.
Let me explain you more about the time aspect. Time is a rare luxery. We are thinking and worrying a lot during our lives.
Did you know that every 12 to 18 months our life will be shaken up by an event. A break up, your child that will move out, an injury etc. However, 3 to 5 times in our life this event is a real ‘lifequake’. Which means that this event will force us to review our life. What that lifequake is, is personal, but it brings a wave of changes (like an earthquake does to the world). Another feature is that a lifequake is crucial and will affect love, identity, work, health or a belief/ conviction.
It also has 3 stages; 1 the ending 2 the messy middle 3 new beginnings. I do think everyone will recognise these stages.
It is also personal how long the ending period will be and for how long you are in the messy middle. When you’re in the final stage you can look back and go forward!
I always have the urge to do something meaningfull.
And I am doing that again. I was quite long in the ‘messy middle’ because a lot of things ended for me all at once.
But I am very happy I am in the ‘new beginning’ stage right now. Investing in yourself is also learning from others, experience endings, adjust, try again and learn from that experience. It is proven that after a lifequake we see life different than before. And therefore we have grown as human. That is a beautiful result, right. The best interest you will get. And it’s not only work but also who you are as a person!