How to Invest in Yourself & Why It's So Important
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Hi Beauties! I'm often asked how I got started with blogging and what I do to manage my time. Well, it all boils down to two things: passion & priorities. I started writing about wellness, because it was something I felt very strongly about, and I prioritized my personal growth before anything else. You are your most valuable asset. You must spend time investing in yourself - before a job, a relationship, or any other aspect of life that requires your energy. You can afford to take time to sort out your purpose, what it is you love, and how you'd like to develop your skills. This sets the foundation, and with that said, the job, the relationship, and everything else will fall into place. Read on for how to invest in yourself for a beautiful, successful, and fulfilling life.
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Value your intuition.
We all have it, but we don't all know how to listen to it. Your intuition is here to guide you into empowered actions. Learning how to trust your gut will help you make better, smarter decisions. So, how do we train ourselves to become more aware of it? Ask yourself the tough questions, and listen to the first answer that pops into your head. OR, another trick to try when faced between two tough decisions... play heads or tails, and when you toss the coin up in the air you'll instinctively know which side you hoped it would land on. Intuition, baybay!
Build your personal brand.
Helloooo digital age! Whether you like social media or not, I truly believe building up your personal brand is vital to career success. Think of it as your portfolio or an extension of your resume. The reality is, standards have increased, and companies are looking for more than just a piece of paper with your work history. Create a professional Instagram account, start a blog, build a website or a landing page... just begin somewhere so you can share who you are and what you bring to the table. Get creative, express yourself, and tell your story!
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Photo via @omandthecity
Start a morning ritual.
Morning rituals set the tone for the day. Think of 3-5 positive actions you can take to empower productive behavior and stick to it. Here's a few ideas: drink a full glass of lemon water, do 5-10 minutes of light yoga or stretching, don't check your email right away, listen to a podcast as you get ready, read a passage from an inspirational book. These tiny actions will help get the creative juices flowing, and will set you up for a successful day!
Find a mentor.
A mentor is someone who inspires you and is more experienced than you. Someone who you trust, and can help you grow as a person and a professional. How to find a mentor? It can happen organically through a job or a friend, but you can also consider using LinkedIn as a tool. I quite enjoy reaching out to people in my field on LinkedIn and inviting them to coffee. Step out of your comfort zone, use your resources, and prepare to learn a lot!
Make healthy habits.
Eat nourishing, unprocessed, and clean whole foods that will support you through the busy days. Of course, keep a balanced approach and don't deprive yourself. But, practicing self-control and moderation is a healthy habit that will transfer into other areas of our life that also require self-control and moderation. In addition, stay active and keep movin'! Kickbox, spin, run, yoga - just find something that you love and make it a regular part of your routine.
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Photo via How to Make the Perfect Smoothie Bowl
Connect with your community.
I was such a recluse when I first moved to New York, but thanks to my Insta-fam, I've met sooo many awesome ladies and gents (but, mostly ladeeez). Social media is such a great way to connect with complete strangers who you otherwise may not have ever known existed! Get to know the people in your 'hood! Ask people to brunch! Step out of your comfort zone! And rule of thumb if you're new in town... ALWAYS GO TO THE PARTY!
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Photo via #ZenFriends: Meet Annaliese
Let yourself daydream.
We tend to under-appreciate the power of introspection. Let your mind play. Open-ended reflection is such a vital part of our growth process. Some of the best ideas can blossom from a daydream. It will impact your creativity and strengthen your cognitive wellness - So, give your mind a break, and just allow it to wander once in a while.
And most importantly...
Featured image by Melinda DiOrio Photography // @melindadiorio