Last week I wrote about how you should live by design and not by default. Living by design helps you live your life to the fullest. Living by default, on the other hand, is a sure way to mediocrity.
Now I’d like to discuss an aspect of living by design, which is investing in your future. The fact is: a bright future won’t just happen. You must work for it. You must invest in it. The more you invest in your future, the more you will reap.
Today your life might not seem that much different from those around you. However, if you keep investing in your future – it will be different. People will be surprised at your progress.
So, how can you invest in your future? Here are five ways:
1. Build your financial foundation.
Like it or not, your personal finance plays an important role. Many people can’t reach their dreams because of financial constraints. They are overwhelmed by debt. They live paycheck to paycheck. They have no space to pursue their dreams.
A strong financial foundation, on the other hand, opens a way for you to reach your dreams. It gives you the freedom you need to pursue them.
Here are two related posts for more information:
2. Build your knowledge.
To reach your dreams, you need knowledge. You need to know how to get to your destination. Knowledge is power. The more you have of it, the more power you have.
So keep building your knowledge. As Steve Jobs once said: stay hungry, stay foolish.
Here are two related posts:
- The Power of Knowledge (and What You Need to Harness It)
- Upgrading Yourself: 5 Ways to Invest in Your Education
3. Build your relationships.
You can’t get to your destination alone. You need others to be with you. For that reason, you should build your relationships.
The most important relationship is the one with your family. So make time for them. Don’t let it become something that you regret later.
Make time for your friends as well. Help them without keeping score, and in turn they will help you.
Here are two related posts:
4. Build your spirituality.
Like it or not, there will be difficult times. In such times, it’s your spirituality that helps you through.
Build your spirituality through spiritual habits. These habits could be praying, reading the Scripture, or something else that works for you. The important thing is that you do it now before a difficult time comes.
5. Build healthy habits.
Your physical health is essential for your productivity. If you are healthy, you can be productive for a long time. If you aren’t, you will have to spend your resources dealing with health issues.
Build healthy habits in three areas: the way you eat, rest and exercise.
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If you do these five things, you are investing in your future. You might not feel the benefits now, but you will later.
In financial investment, a small amount can become big over time thanks to compounding interest. Similarly, doing these small things can have a big impact on your future.
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