Invest in Yourself: Yes, You Can Afford It

How many times have you denied yourself of something you need such as a financial coach, mentor, or investment in your business? How many times you said you cannot afford something but your splurge your money and time on mindless shopping, going out to eat, switching hairdos weekly and other things that don't serve your purpose? I am all for looking beautiful but don't you think it is time for you invest in your inner beauty and essence to match the outside?
We all have done this once upon a time because we either feel guilty or ashamed into investing in ourselves. Many times, we will invest in frivolous things such as a new outfit, shoes, expensive handbag or something tangible that doesn't provide substances within our lives.  How many times do you "reward" yourself with an expensive gift but still feel guilty or empty within?

 
When you invest in yourself, you are proving yourself with an unlimited wealthy of opportunities. Investing in yourself is a part of self-love and self-care which are two valuable personal experiences that are organic and natural. When you denied yourself of investing in yourself, it will show within your personal and professional life. When you don't invest within yourself, you suppress your inner passion, interests and growth/evolution. How can we be truly free and independent when we don't provide investment and self-love for ourselves? You will always be caught up in the rapture of brokenness and chasing after a deferred dream when we don't invest in ourselves.
Remember, investing in yourself take patience, persistence, prayer, and payment. Yes payment. You are going to pay one way or another, you are going to pay money to attend that long over due workshop, conference, or class to help you achieve your lifelong goal. You are going to have to dig a little deeper in the closet and shop for that cute outfit to wear for that investment meeting with the big investors who are looking to invest thousands into your company. You are going to stop asking your fellow sister-friend for the "hook up" because that sister-friend is worth more than asking for the hook up. She invest in her business, have home and business bills to pay and she is worth it.
Now is the time to invest in yourself and building your empire! Don't defer your dreams and goals for something else.
Here are three ways why you should invest in yourself:

1. Pursuing your passion.  Time is one of the most important things you should invest in when you are pursuing your passion. You cannot get time back. When your pursue your passion, you are providing self-love and perseverance. Your passion is within and at your fingertips but you must discover it. Discovering your passion, being persistence and investing in yourself are valuable tools. When you invest in yourself, you have to be willing to make sacrifices such as cutting back from getting a manicure and pedicure weekly, you have to go shopping within your closet and at times you have to minimize your lifestyle. (Some of you all are probably rolling your eyes but you have to sacrifice something to achieve your dreams.)
2. Creating and Increasing Your Wealth. When people think of wealth, people think of finances. Wealth is not always about finances. The definition of wealth have a plethora of meanings but for this article we will stick with abundance of anything. We should invest in our wealth of knowledge, resources and wisdom. When we increase our wealth, we should also invest our wealth in others who have the wisdom, knowledge and experience in a certain field or business. We should invest in books, workshops, a coach, our community and organization to increase your net-worth, network, and self-worth
3. Holistic Self-Care. “The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” – Steve Maraboli Great quote! If you don't love yourself, don't expect anyone else to love or invest in you. We live in an ADHD and microwaveable society in which we are constantly on the go. Stop, breathe and connect with yourself. Invest in healthy and unprocessed foods which we save you money and sickness. Invest in your health by working out. You don't have to invest in an expensive gym membership in which you may never use but one time. Go put on some shorts/sweatpants and sneakers and work it out. Turn off the TV and sit in your thoughts. Be still, meditate and listen to that voice within called intuition. All these things cost you nothing but time and effort. 

Providing self-care and self-awareness doesn't cost you nothing but time and effort. You must be willing to invest into you, your dreams, your wealth and health. You deserve to love yourself and care for yourself. Stop investing your wealth into tangible and material things which will slowly fade away. Invest into things that matter which is you and your well-being. If you cannot invest and give to yourself, there is no way you will be able to give whole-heartedly to others. Invest in yourself. 
Invest wisely!  

What's really holding you back from fully investing in yourself? Share and comment below!
About the Author: Andrea C. Imafidon 

Andrea is a professional coach with a certification in personal development coaching from The CaPP Institute. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University. Andrea is the creator of Brown Girl From Boston a personal growth and coaching blog that inspires, encourage, and empower brown girls everywhere to live life boldly, loudly, and fearlessly on purpose. Connect with Andrea April 10-12, 2015 at the Unlimited You Weekend in Baltimore, MD. Learn more at www.hwhn.org