Investments

from Able Leader, January 2010

by Steve Kaye

This life strategy is the key to long term success and happiness.

It's simple, powerful, and essential. Yet it's often ignored.

It's the strategy of investing in yourself.

You see, life mastery is built upon an ever expanding foundation of wise investments in key areas of living.

Sadly, many people live day-to-day, making withdrawals instead of deposits in their future. Then one day they're shocked to discover that they're broke, sick, and alone.

The good news is: Anybody can begin applying this strategy now.

For example:

1) Wealth

Wealth gives you the freedom to live comfortably, on your terms. Without wealth, people become dependent upon others.

Note that wealth is not unlimited greed. Anyone can achieve wealth who has saved enough to meet their needs.

Accumulating wealth is simple: spend less than you make and save the excess.

Action: Set up a systematic savings plan. Live within a realistic budget. Work with a professional financial planner. Avoid debt, get-rich-quick schemes, high risk investments, do-it-yourself programs, and all forms of gambling.

2) People

Everything that matters happens with other people. Thus, build a vast network of relationships with those who can help you.

Create trust through consistent, positive, respectful interactions. Recognize that we are all connected, and thus people you meet today may influence your future tomorrow.

Every relationship is a conversation. Set aside time for authentic face-to-face conversations where you immerse yourself in paying attention.

Action: Spend time with people who matter. Support them in ways that they want to be helped. Strive to make others feel special and important. Acknowledge achievements and feelings.

3) Self

Your effectiveness depends upon how well you care for every dimension of yourself.

This includes your health, your mind, and your self esteem. Each of these contribute to the choices that you make, which determine everything that happens in your life.

Action: Build your self esteem. Practice kindness, make ethical choices, and develop discipline because these enhance one's sense of self.

Continue learning. Read books, attend seminars, take courses, join professional organizations, and seek advice.

Know yourself. Explore the deepest levels of who you are, why you do things, and what you believe. Work with a coach. Write in a journal. Devote time to reflection.

Care for your health. Eat wisely, exercise, and get enough sleep. Avoid toxins such as cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, which ruin both your body and your ego.

4) Career

Your career is more than your job. It's your purpose in life.

Ideally, your career will never end because it's a source of both financial and emotional fulfillment. Yet, it can evolve, changing from one discipline to another. It can also change its context, for example from full time employment to part time volunteering.

Action: Prepare a comprehensive career plan. Identify your talents and skills. Find what you really enjoy doing. Seek jobs or assignments that move you toward your long range goals. Increase your employability by perfecting essential skills and by learning new skills. Seek guidance from a career coach.

5) Legacy

Your legacy is the final statement that summarizes your life. So what do you want it to be?

That is, what do you want to be remembered for? How will your life have helped humanity? What do you want to create that will continue after you're gone?

Action: Develop a life plan. Begin with a vision of what you want to accomplish. Know your purpose. Know your personal mission. Know the benefit that you bring to the world through your presence. Then design a life that creates a legacy others will admire.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
714-528-1300

PS: By the way, this strategy is the foundation for my workshop on Life Mastery.