The Best Investment in a Downward Economy

By Miguel Dos Anjos

                                

        The biggest, best, and most permanent return you can obtain is from an investment in your own self. It lasts long term (forever), and cannot be taken, or stolen from you.

1- Invest in your mind: 

        We spend time investing in our body at the gym, and caring about what food we eat, but just as important is our mind. Reading books, and blogs entertain, and build up one’s knowledge. Reading provide quietness for the mind. Other sources of knowledge are listening to audio books, can be done while driving, cooking, or anything else, and also watching videos. Focusing on subjects that makes you smarter, but are also pleasurable increase the benefits. 

2- Free you space from clutter: 

        Clutter makes it harder to focus, concentrate, and process information. 

3- Meditate: 

        It’s hard for some people, and even harder for others due to the intrusive thoughts that come into our minds, but the benefits are huge; reduces symptoms of depression, and anxiety, improves concentration, and memory, and help people struggling with addiction. 5 minutes a day organizing your house will improve your mind, and similarly 5 minutes a day of meditation may do wonders. 

4- Make a list: 

        When it’s time to go to bed we start thinking about all the things we need to accomplish first thing in the morning, and the next day. All these thoughts and preoccupations will not allow a good night of list. For this reason we can write on a piece of paper a to-do list. Now all those worries are written down, allowing you do go to sleep well, and not worrying about forgetting anything, because the next morning you can go throw the list then. 

5- Be kind to yourself: 

        Don’t be too tough on your own self. If you catch yourself calling you a name; would you say it to a friend?

6- Invest in your body: 

        Get a doctor check-up. Hormonal imbalance, low levels of certain vitamins, and minerals, will lower energy levels, and may cause mild depression. Being aware of this will let you know which food sources your body is craving, or even a supplement such as vitamin D might be what’s missing for optimization.  

7- Start a good habit: 

        Maybe you’re skipping brushing your teeth at night, or flossing, or not drinking enough water. These examples may seem not important, but can have big impacts, causing good breath, and saving on dental treatment. Good hydration may prevent extra tiredness, headaches, or hunger increase by being confused with thirst instead. 

8- Enough sleep: 

        Lack of sleep may cause heart disease, weight gain, poor sex life, and others. Going to sleep at the same time daily, sleeping at the darkest hours of night, a cool room around 67 degrees, and turning off electronics half hours before bed will improve the quality of your sleep. Often times we say we hate waking up early, but what we might really mean is we hate not sleeping enough quality hours of sleep. 

9- Do most important thing first:  

        Load the most important things of your day upfront, and early in the morning, while well rested instead of late at night while tired, sleepy, and less productive. Doing your workout, eating your veggies, and making the fruit smoothie first thing in the day will increase chance you end up following throw with these plans, or any other plans you have. And in case later on the day you stop the accomplishments, at lease you will have been productive for the first half of the day. 

10- Don’t sit all day:

        Avoid sitting all day. It may cause bad posture, bad joints, pain, and poor circulation. 

11- Never stop learning new skills: 

        You may take a class, workshop, or YouTube video. A new skill may be money related or not. Learning how to cook, or cook a dish may save money, and be a healthier option. Learning to fix or maintain something in the car or house can prevent paying other to do things for you every time for everything. Could be something such as changing the car burned lights, tires, or oil. 

12- Kill a debt: 

        Paying something faster can save on interest. 

13- Consider a job change: 

        Get a killer resume, search for the job you desire, the pay you desire, and network often. 

14- Relationships: 

        We are social beings. Rid yourself of draining, negative friends. It will allow more time to the people that matter most. More connection improve your networking options. Most of us have families, friends, and co-workers. You can always find a new community; at the gym, volunteering, or other. It can make us mentally and physically healthier. 

15- If you feel lost or discouraged: 

        Find a couch, mentor, or community with same goals. This can be of great support. 

16- Allow yourself to take break: 

        Allowing yourself to take break, and self-caring will boost productivity.     

        

Not every investment involves money. Sometimes investing time into yourself is ideal. 

Check my video on this topic here: The Best Investment in Downward Economy

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