WHAT should you invest in now that times are challenging and so unpredictable? Is it properties,bonds,equities,currency trading or internet business? What will still give you the best returns?”
When we think ‘investment,’ especially in an economic climate like the current one, we need to think different. And if you really think about it, there is ONE singular investment you can make that could bring you not 10% or 20%, 100% or hey, even way past 1000% in returns if you invest it well. In fact, investing in this could give you returns that could reap dividends for a lifetime. What’s that, you ask?
The answer is simple:
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Think about it. What is truly your most valuable asset? What’s truly recession-proof?
If you think it’s your car, or your home, or your stocks and bonds, you’re wrong. Your most valuable asset is YOURSELF. Your knowledge and your skills are your intellectual assets – and it literally knows no price. Its value cannot be measured through dollars and cents – but it can be measured by the success of your life. Your knowledge makes YOU an asset (or a liability to others when there’s lack of it.)
From what I’ve observed, one of the main reasons why many people get trapped when a recession takes place and end up stalling in place or worse, regressing backward instead of moving forward and succeeding, is because they’ve got their priorities wrong. In other words, they’ve failed to focus on the ESSENTIAL.
They focus instead on the trivial things in life. They tend to concentrate on unimportant things that bring short-term benefits or short-lived happiness without paying attention to the more significant matters that will actually make a substantial difference in their lives.
What do I mean by this? Well, when I say ‘things’ I literally mean ‘things!’ We all know people who wouldn’t blink an eye spending hard-earned money (even in critical economic times like this) on the latest gadget like a smart phone or the iPod Touch, a game console, a new LV or Gucci bag and designer silk curtains and drapes for their apartment, luxury dress watches, the new car, and… the list goes on.
But these same people would very well think twice… or ten times, before deciding to invest in themselves through education, training, and personal development! Funny isn’t it? Maybe because the latest LV bag is a tangible thing that they can hold, and feel, and show off to everyone else… while the results of self-investment are intangible, and take time to bear fruit.
You know, we would never forget to feed our bodies several times a day (or more) but sometimes.... we literally fail to feed our minds just as often! We are all aware that failing to feed our bodies will cause our physical selves to suffer as our bodies starve or suffer from malnutrition. But truly successful individuals also know that feeding the mind works in much the same way as they feed their bodies! We all have to keep our minds healthy by giving it sustenance – be it through books, classes, seminars, and self-development courses. If not… we might very well have a healthy body… but only with a mind that is weak and fast-becoming obsolete. And how can an underfed mind keep up with the challenges of our present economy?
Well… don’t you think that you owe it to yourself to invest in your most valuable asset?
It makes sense then that this is the year that you go all out to cultivate yourself. And you can do this by increasing your KNOWLEDGE. Think about it: knowledge gained is converted to abilities and skills that when put to proper use is converted to wealth. For yourself! And the best part of self-investment? No one can take your knowledge away from you! It is always yours, to be further improved and polished for perpetual returns.
Your ability and strengths in your job, career, and business have a lot to do with what you have learned in the past. Most people these days don’t think twice about sending their kids to university or pursuing a tertiary education because it’s an investment for their future.
All the skills that you picked up during your years at school and university have become indispensable for the life you have right now. But hey ... what got you this far may not get you further due to this present economy! In the current economy, it won’t be just about what you already know, but how much MORE you can offer! A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle urged people to battle the recession by "considering investigating or training for a new career." But the advice should be considered in a broader context - whether you’re looking for a new career or staying in your present one, building on your skillset and diversifying it is the way forward.
Stephen R. Covey, one my favourite authors, and author of the worldwide bestselling The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and other leadership and personal management books describes it thus: "The key is in not spending time, but in investing it." When you think of it that way, two of the biggest investments you can make are in yourself, and in your time. You don’t need a single cent for that!
The one option that I firmly believe in is knowledge and skill in Feng Shui and BaZi (Astrology). Because BaZi Astrology helps you understand and master your destiny and Feng Shui - the tools to help you change your life for the better.
In Feng Shui and BaZi the only ‘start-up capital’ is yourself, and your living environment. That’s all it takes to USE these two sets of knowledge. Also, there’s no time limit on the applicability of Feng Shui and BaZi principles. People have used Feng Shui and BaZi since the ancient times of Imperial China up until today. You can use it for as long as you live to improve the quality of your life as well as the lives of people around you.
I'll leave it to you to decide on your most valuable investment !!!!
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