How to Start Your Self-Investment Journey

In 4 Steps

***Updated July 2024***

“If confusion is the first step to knowledge, I must be a genius.” – Larry Leissner.

When first starting on your self-investment journey, it is easy to feel lost and overwhelmed, as there is no “one-size-fits-all” model of self-investment. Unearthing the most authentic version of self, redefining the parameters of your life to fulfill your truest potential, and fundamentally and sustainably changing the trajectory of your life is no small feat.

Before we jump into the 4 ways you can start your self-investment journey, first start with understanding what self-investment is. The principles of self-investment are defined by the intentions and actions behind the purposeful steps taken to better yourself in the long term, read more on this here.

These following 4 steps to self-investment are good starting points, read through and experiment a bit to find which one(s) resonate best with your goals.

Step 1: Determine How You Learn

Each of us is unique, so the way one person learns won’t be the same for another. For example, I learn and retain knowledge best through reading, which is partly why this is a blog and not a video. 

When you live life in a certain way for so long it is easy to be set in those patterns, habits, and thought processes. Forming new neural connections of positivity and self-support may be more difficult than you think. Jumping into a new routine or mindset cold turkey without knowing if that is the best way for you to achieve your goals will only demotivate you. If I decided randomly one morning to go for a jog before sunrise ; all the health benefits in the world won’t matter to me as I blearily hit the snooze button. I just don’t work like that. Even if I know I am able to get up early and jog, I set myself up for defeat and self-deprecation by not working the systems I know will help me succeed from the start. More on how to deal with those feelings in Step 4. So, why not take the path of least resistance and learn the best way for you?

Here is a list of the Top 8 Types of Learners:

• Visual (spatial) Learners.
• Aural (audio) Learners.
• Physical (tactile) Learners.
• Verbal Learners (aka Linguistic Learners)
• Logical (analytical) Learners.
• Social Learners (aka Linguistic Learners)
• Solo Learners.
• Natural/ Nature Learners.

Study yourself, how you take in information, and how you process and adopt new thoughts and behaviors. When developing new lifestyle systems do you learn best through physical reminders like journals, alarm clocks, and hands-on activities? Do you prefer to tackle these new changes by yourself, or will you enlist a close friend as you make changes together? When learning a new topic do you prefer to be told or to read the information at your own pace?

Understanding how you interpret the information and experiences around you is a large part of optimizing your self-investment journey. This is the beginning of self-awareness.

If you still can’t decide which you are, ask a friend or family member, sometimes it helps to hear an outside opinion of yourself.

Step 2: Self Research

I am all about the path of least resistance, life is hard enough, and when you can catch a break, take it. A good dive down the rabbit hole of who you are is a fantastic way to start self-investment. Understanding where you want to be and the areas that need improvement are helpful at the beginning. Who you are right now? Look to your interests, your history, your thought patterns, and companions. This goes beyond what your favorite color is and where you want your career to be in 5 years, (though those details are important too!)  

Self-investment is building a solid relationship with yourself, so get fun with it! Take a page from romantic dating, we form relationships with others by asking them questions and sharing experiences, why not do the same with yourself? Don’t force it, just be.

Another option is to find people/blogs/YouTube channels/podcasts/articles and more, on the topics you find reflect the way you see the world (or want to see the world) and meditate on that. There are a seemingly endless amount of ways you can discover yourself, some examples include: 

• Meditation- Quieting thoughts and seeing what it’s like to sit with yourself.
• Exercise-Find your limits and preferences.
• Therapy-Doesn’t hurt to get an outside opinion.
• Journaling- Track your thoughts and emotions and how they change over time.

And in those topics are subcategories, avenues to explore and discover what you enjoy:

• Meditation

1. Mindfulness meditation
2. Spiritual meditation
3. Focused meditation
4. Movement meditation
5. And on, and on…

• Exercise

1. Aerobic
2. Strength building
3. Balance Training
4. Endurance
5. And on, and on…

• Therapy

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2. Massage Therapy 
3. Music Therapy 
4. Art therapy
5. And on, and on…

• Journaling

1. Bullet Journal
2. Calendar Journaling
3. Meditation Journaling
4. Video Journaling
5. And on, and on…

If you can think of it, likely someone has written/spoken about it somewhere. Going to an authority on your preferred method can cut out a lot of wasted time when you can jump right into tested practices. Here is a blog post from another blogger (Happier Human) who compiled a list of other bloggers who specialize in the field of self-improvement. I know I am excited to continue to dive into these topics on In-nested, so stay tuned for more!

Step 3: Start Practicing Progress Over Perfection

Here comes a big leap! At some point, you will have to jump in and start implementing the practices and ideas you learn. Asking yourself questions, reading books, and listening to podcasts without action gets you nowhere. Take it a day at a time, and track the process of your mindset, your mood, and your view of your life in a journal or chart. Ask others to encourage you and keep you accountable, start with something small on your list and work your way up.

For example, I really dislike doing the dishes, cooked on food, unidentifiable debris floating in the water, a never ending pile; I mean, what is there to love about washing dishes? Or so I used to think to myself, now, while it remains my least favorite household task, my perspective has changed from annoyance and disgust to gratitude and respect to even have the opportunity to have a home and belongings to take care of. I deserve to live in a clean home, bake my favorite goodies in sparkling dishware, and show my belongings and future self the respect of not mismanaging my energies.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t go skipping into the kitchen whistling as I work, loving the soapy splashes on my slippers; some days life is chaotic and stressful and there is no time. But the progress of turning a hated task into one of self-love is an achievement I am proud of. Progress over perfection.

Perfection is ideal in a perfect world, but holding yourself to unachievable standards when starting a new challenge is shooting yourself in the foot before you’ve even begun. As Sheryl Sandberg says “Done is better than perfect.”

When you love the process of investing in yourself, maintaining a commitment to your values and boundaries as you strive for better in the face of setbacks and hardships is much easier to sustain.

Step 4: Give Yourself Grace 

The last step on this list I find to be the most important, giving yourself grace. No matter what your reasoning is for wanting a change in your life it is imperative you be kind to yourself along the way. Recognize that the self-investment goals you set, just like financial investing, take time to reap the lasting benefits of your dedication. This process will be an exciting lifelong discovery of what heights you can reach.

Overcoming complacency and developing an eagerness for growth is one of the best parts of the self-investment experience. The sheer amount of untapped potential within each person is astounding, and if each of us actively pursued our best selves like we do less meaningful things, who knows where the world would be today?

Keep in mind you will experience growing pains. It takes strength to be gentle with yourself. Not everything will happen how or when you want it, the goal is to continually find a reason to keep going. Remember, progress over perfection. 

If it feels like you were on a roll and something triggered those old negative behaviors and patterns, it’s okay to wallow for a minute and take your time to get back to where you wanted to be. When it feels as though you are alone in this, and it might as you start to outgrow your current settings, remember that out there in the void of cyberspace I am cheering you on!