10 REASONS YOU ARE AFRAID TO INVEST IN YOURSELF
For those who know me, it might not come as a surprise that I love academia — I graduated with honors from high school, I have two university degrees (summa cum laude I might add) and I have a degree in jewelry design.
In recent years, I have also invested in personal styling training, business coaching, and building an online business.
You might think I have no problem investing in myself and learning new things, but the truth is when I hired my first coach a year ago and had to press that 2.800 Euro payment button for a two-month coaching program, my hands got sweaty, and I almost pulled out.
In my head, 2.800 Euro seemed like a lot of money (even though I usually don’t think twice when spending it on a new designer bag I really like). I had no idea if my investment would pay off. And why would I even need a business coach if I had studied Business Administration?
Even though the decision felt uncomfortable, I went ahead and made it.
Let me tell you, this was one of the most powerful experiences of my life, and it had little to do with the program I invested in — although that was awesome as well.
It had to do with the fact that I was telling myself I was worth that kind of money.
Since then, I have worked with a few other coaches and the fact is, I would not be where I am today without investing in myself.
Here is the truth: I believe that your greatest asset is not your house, your car, or your investment portfolio. Your greatest asset is you!
When you learn new assets and skills, work on your mindset and surround yourself with like-minded people who support your growth, you take a leap.
Your confidence will rise, your visibility will increase, you will make more money, and you will become a better person. And even if the world came crashing down, and you lost all your belongings, you can rebuild them thanks to your skill set.
Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. It will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you.
ROBIN SHARMA
Still, daily I come across women who are afraid of investing in themselves, and here are my top ten reasons why this is happening and why it's keeping you stuck:
1. You don’t believe you’re worth it.
For many of us, our minds have convinced us for years that we are not good enough/smart enough/whatever enough. Putting down money and investing in yourself is liberating. It means choosing yourself and backing up that belief with cash. And what better way to convince yourself of your own worth?
2. You are afraid to leave your comfort zone.
A good coach will support you as well as challenge you. It is his or her job to push you outside your comfort zone and keep you accountable. Stepping out of your comfort zone feels scary. It means venturing into the unknown, trying new things, and being open to failure. But that’s also when the magic happens.
3. You’re waiting until you “have the money”.
This is one of the most common excuses I hear, and I have also been guilty of it. The truth is, putting down money will always be scary, no matter how much money you have in your bank account. Furthermore, not having money is exactly the reason why you should invest in yourself.
In order to achieve a different outcome, you have to start doing things differently, and whatever you have been doing so far is clearly not working. Once you recognize this, you can start rewriting your beliefs around money and your financial future.
4. You are waiting until the "time is right".
Let me ask you a question: When you had kids, got married, and decided to buy a house, did you do it because it was the right time or because it was important to you? Right, that’s what I thought. Here’s the deal: there will never be the perfect time for ANYTHING — it is up to you to create it. Imagine how much energy you could save from feeling overwhelmed and stuck all that time. So why would you wait another week, month, or year instead of making changes now?
5. You are confused.
Being confused is just an excuse for not having to make a decision. As long as you are confused, you don't have to decide, right? You get to stay exactly where you are without ever risking failure.
6. You want to lose weight first.
This one is really common in the style coaching business, and believe me, I get it. You don't want to invest money in a brand-new wardrobe you won't be able to wear in a few months. But truth be told, you probably have been trying to lose weight for some time now. What if you had clothes that you felt good in now — would that make you feel more confident? The goal isn't to lose weight first — it's to feel good now and learn to dress & love the body you have, not just when you reach your goal weight.
7. It is not important enough for you.
You really aren't serious about your dreams unless you invest in yourself. I'm not suggesting you should risk your entire life's savings, but you should be willing to spend some money, time, and effort on pursuing your goals. Otherwise, you simply don't value them highly enough.
8. You want to keep playing small.
Putting money into your own development shows that you have confidence in who you are and what you're building.
However, it also represents a change from playing small to playing significantly bigger—and not everyone is prepared to play big.
9. You prefer to do it on your own.
Leaders are not loners who shy away from other people. They recognize that self-development does not occur in isolation, and that investing in themselves necessitates the support and expertise of others. They are constantly looking for new ways to expand their professional network and maintain relationships with colleagues and peers.
Can you do it on your own? Absolutely. But it may take you ten times longer and it will be way less fun.
10. You don’t trust yourself enough.
The habit of keeping promises to yourself and trusting your own judgment requires practice. Get ready to be uncomfortable — it’s the only way to grow!
Let me leave you with this question: How much are your dreams, passions, and desires worth to you? Suppose nothing changes in a year, five years, or ten years? What will it cost you?
While I will never try to persuade anyone to work with me, I will always encourage you to invest in yourself, your growth, and your happiness. Because I believe you are worth it — and so should you.
