New Year’s Resolutions often focus on things like losing weight, quitting smoking, or saving money. But this year, consider making a resolution that will have a lasting impact on your career: Investing in yourself.

It can be easy to wait for others to invest in you, whether it’s your employer offering training opportunities or a promotion. But the truth is, waiting for others to invest in you can hold you back from reaching your full potential.

Investing in yourself means taking the time and effort to acquire new skills, knowledge, and experiences that can help you achieve your goals. It can be anything from formal education and training, attending industry conferences, to taking on new responsibilities at work or starting a side hustle.

In today’s rapidly changing job market, upskilling is more important than ever. The skills that got you hired in your current job may not be the same skills that will keep you employed in the future. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2022, 35% of the skills considered important in the workplace will have changed, highlighting the need for continuous learning and upskilling. Guess what, we’re in 2023!

Moreover, automation and artificial intelligence will continue to disrupt the job market and many jobs that used to be carried out by humans will be replaced by machines. Investing in yourself will enable you to adapt to changes in your industry, take advantages of new opportunities and make you more valuable to employers, if you plan to work for someone else. Further, it does not hurt to have a diverse set of skills which allow you to be more innovative and creative in problem-solving.

But what does investing in yourself look like? It can mean different things to different people, but some examples include:

1.) Learning a new skill: It could be something directly related to your job, like learning a new programming language, or something more general, like taking a course in project management.

• One example of someone investing in themselves by learning a new skill is a person who has worked in retail for several years and decides to go back to school to study marketing. By gaining a new skill set, they are now able to pursue a career in marketing, which may offer better pay and more advancement opportunities than their previous job in retail. This investment in themselves may lead to a higher salary, better benefits, and a more fulfilling career overall.

2.) Starting a side hustle: Whether it’s freelancing in your current field, starting a small business, or creating an online course, starting a side hustle can give you the chance to learn new skills, test new ideas, and build a personal brand.

• An example of someone investing in themselves by starting a side hustle is a person who works full-time as an accountant but has always had a passion for photography. They decide to start their own photography business on the side, offering services such as portrait and event photography. They invest in equipment and take some classes to improve their skills. They build a website and start to promote their business. By starting this side hustle, they are not only able to pursue their passion, but also can earn extra income and potentially turn their side hustle into a full-time business in the future. This investment in themselves can lead to financial growth and career fulfillment.

3.) Networking: Meeting new people in your industry can open opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and new job prospects.

• An example of someone investing in themselves by increasing their networking is a person who works in a technical field and wants to move up in their company but lacks connections within the industry. They decide to become more active in professional organizations and attend industry conferences and events. They try to meet and connect with other professionals in their field, and they volunteer for leadership roles within their professional organizations. Through these networking efforts, they can build relationships with other professionals, gain visibility in their industry, and learn about new job opportunities. By increasing their networking, they are investing in themselves and creating more opportunities for career advancement.

4.) Experimenting and taking risks: Sometimes, the best way to learn is by doing. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they may fail. Failure is a part of growth, and if you’re learning from your mistakes, it’s worth taking the risk.

• A great example of this is the CEO of a retail company who took a chance on an innovative new idea. Despite her team being hesitant, she pushed forward, and the idea was a huge success, increasing sales and gaining recognition for the company.

It’s also worth noting that your day job can be a great place to start upskilling. Many companies offer professional development opportunities, such as training programs or tuition reimbursement. Take advantage of these opportunities and see if there are additional ways to further your learning within the company. For example, you could ask for stretch assignments, seek mentorship from more experienced colleagues, or lead a project that would challenge you to learn new skills.

Investing in yourself is not limited to upskilling, as it applies to self-care and work-life harmony, too. How you go about ensuring this is a part of your practice will be individual to your needs. But, by taking care of yourself, you will be in a better position to tackle new challenges and be more productive overall.

So, take the initiative and make it your New Year’s resolution to invest in yourself. It’s never too late!

You will thank yourself for it and be better equipped to reach your full potential. Remember, when failure happens, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. This is a necessary step in anyone’s professional growth. With the right mindset and a willingness to learn, you can upskill yourself and pave the way for a brighter future.

Summary:

Investing in yourself is the key to success. Here are 4 examples of how you can unlock your full potential:

1: Learn a new skill

2: Start a side hustle

3: Network

4: Experiment and take risks

Thanks for reading.

Stay Curious,

Brian

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Brian Aquart is the Founder & President of Kingswood Forest and the Creator & Host of Why I Left, a podcast chronicling real stories from real people about why they left their jobs during the pandemic. Stay up to date with Brian on LinkedIn.