What Does Investing in Yourself Mean?
It means putting in the time, discipline, and effort to better yourself. Simple.
Ok, let’s take a small step back.
For those who know me and to many who don’t, I am a big fan of basketball. I played recreationally when I was young but never in an organized capacity. The game is fast — really fast, and I think that is why I am so attracted to it. One of the qualities of a professional athlete, whether in basketball or any other sport, is always thinking about the NEXT play. A great shooter can have an off day and shoot a dismal 20% during a game but is never afraid to take the next shot. The idea of not overthinking a missed shot and moving on to the next within seconds is a mindset athletes, and everyone, can adopt as part of their learning journey.
The reason for my basketball analogy is to provide context for the title of this article. A person who is looking back can’t move forward. Period.
Staying curious is a valuable trait, whether in my career, passion projects, or efforts to improve a skill set. I regularly ask myself, How can I improve this product, service, workflow, or experience and reduce any type of friction from A to Z? We are living in an era where knowledge has never been more accessible. If you are curious about a subject, you have everything at your fingertips to learn more about it. It’s never been this easy to pick up a new podcast, research a topic on YouTube, or explore prompt engineering with Chat GPT 4.o (by the time you read this, there might be a new version out!). The best part? It’s all free (or available on a freemium model). Tools are abundant and scalable. It’s never too late to be adventurous, to pick up a new skill, and I encourage you to never stop.
Stay Hungry, Stay foolish — Steve Jobs.
I am excited to start my Masters in Computer Science in the fall of 2024. As someone who is passionate about personal growth, it was the next evolution for me. I realize that going back to school is not feasible for many, with vast family responsibilities, financial constraints, and varying priorities. But if you take away one thing from reading this, it’s that time is invaluable. Time is linear. If you are fortunate enough to have the time, why not maximize it? I believe in prioritizing learning over money in the beginning, which will set you up for long-term success. And remember, always think of the NEXT play.
Cheers.
