I have always been a person who tries to look at even the worst of crises in a positive light. The COVID-19 crisis has been no different. When faced with a crisis, I try to focus on the aspects that I can control and tune out what I can’t.
Invest in yourself. It’s one of the best things you can ever go, regardless of the circumstance. One of the easiest things you can control in a crisis is yourself. What better way to put yourself in a better mindset than to know you’re coming out of the crisis better than when you went into it. Let’s look at 13 free or low-cost ways you can invest in yourself during the ongoing pandemic, or any other time.
1. Take A Course
Learning a new skill or improving an existing one is probably the best investment you can make in yourself. Once you learn a skill, you have it for life, and nobody can take it away from you.
There’s no need to go back to school (the more power to you if you do). The internet is full of so many great resources online to learn new skills in any field that are either free or minimal cost. Sign up at Udemy, Coursera, The Great Courses, or any other online learning program.
2. Make a Bucket List
Write down all of those once-in-a-lifetime things you want to do, no matter how crazy or out-of-reach they may seem right now. Many of the items on my bucket list right now are travel-related, so with being stuck at home due to Covid, I know the feeling all too well. Plus, thinking about things that you really want to do allows your body to release all of those natural feel-good chemicals, which will boost your mood and your happiness.
3. Make a F*ck-It List
If you’re ever feeling down, frustrated, or anxious, making a f*ck-it list is an excellent way to relieve stress, blow off steam, and get it all out of your system. While you can make your list anything you want, I find that there are two primary paths you can follow:
Ice skating is now on my list of things in life I never care if I do again. It’s like an anti-bucket list. It rhymes with bucket, I can tell you that much.
Comedian John Pinette
While it’s all good to simply make a list of things you don’t want to do, I find that the Kenny Chesney approach is a much better way to relieve stress and blow off steam.
4. Make a List of Short and Long-Term Goals
Setting goals is an incredible way to invest in yourself and keep moving forward. Most of my goals are career-based goals, but you can make yours whatever you want. I recommend breaking them down into three categories.
- Short-Term: Goals you hope to accomplish within the next year
- Medium-Term: Goals you wish to accomplish within the next 3 to 5 years
- Long-Term: Goals you want to accomplish within the next 10 years
Remember to set S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Take this a step further and write down how you plan to achieve each goal as well.
5. Eat Healthy and Exercise
In order to invest in yourself, you need to take care of your body. Instead of greasy burgers, fries, and pizza, opt for veggies, fruit, or a healthy stir fry. Eat three meals a day and stick to a balanced diet.
In addition, try to get exercise at least 5 to 6 times per week. Exercise releases endorphins and hormones that make you feel good. You’ll need to find an exercise schedule that works best for you, but I find if I exercise first thing in the morning pretty much every day, I start the day feeling great and am able to focus much better throughout the day.
6. Embrace Your Hobbies
Seize being stuck at home as an opportunity to complete that project you’ve always wanted to. Build that table. Paint that painting. Write that book or make that movie you’ve wanted to. Hobbies are a great way to get away from everything, and that final product will give you a great sense of accomplishment.
7. Read Educational Materials
You learn something new everyday, right? Instead of watching Netflix all day, set aside some some time to read books, magazines, blogs, online forums, etc. that you can learn something new from. The content can be related to your career, hobbies, or just a topic you’re interested in.
Reading my book about the basics of the Thai language is a great change of pace from work and my hobbies and keeps my brain sharp. One of my favorite Thai phrases is ไม่เป็นไร (mai bpen rai), which is the Thai equivalent of Hakuna Matata.
8. Be Creative
Getting creative is the most underrated way to invest in yourself. Expressing your creative side is a fantastic way to stimulate your brain and keep it sharp. While art is often the first thing that comes to mind when you think about being creative, it’s far from the only path here.
Come up with a creative, outside-the-box solution to a problem that’s had you stumped for a while and you’ll not only have a great sense of accomplishment, but also a few bragging rights. The sky is the limit here.
9. Make a Budget
Crises such as the COVID-19 Pandemic are often tied to an economic crisis as well. Dealing with financial hardship is tough enough, and is only exacerbated if you don’t know what you’re cash flow is doing. Using a common tool such as Microsoft Excel, putting together a budget will let you know how much money is coming in and going out, put you much more in control of your finances, and allow you to make better decisions, both in the short and long-term. You are quite literally investing in yourself.
10. Stay in Touch and Reconnect with Friends and Loved Ones
Humans are social creatures, and while COVID-19 has driven us apart, technology has given us an astounding number of channels to stay connected with friends and loved ones, including telephone, email, Skype/Zoom/FaceTime, social media, and much more.
Imagine how ecstatic you’d be if a friend or loved one you haven’t spoken with in a long time contacted you out of the blue. Take the initiative and reach out. It will give both of you a great boost.
11. Organize Your Living and Work Spaces
A cluttered space equals a cluttered brain. It’s been scientifically proven that people with tidy work spaces are much more productive and efficient than those with messy work spaces. Take 5 or 10 minutes at the end of the day to tidy up your desk so you’re starting with a clean work space in the morning. Do the same thing at home. Your happiness and productivity will thank you.
12. Try Something New and Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Have something you’ve always wanted to, but haven’t had the courage to try? What better a time to try it than right now? Getting out of your comfort zone is great stimulation for your mind, and can even make you some extra money if you play your cards right, which leads right into the final point.
13. Start a Side Business
We could all use a little extra income, especially in these tough economic times. Starting a business is the ultimate investment in yourself. There are so many side businesses that can be started for little or no money. You can tie as many of the first 12 investments in yourself as you want when you start your side hustle.
Read up and learn about how to run a business. Put together a budget. Be creative in what you offer. Set goals for the business. Tell all of your friends and loved ones about your new venture. If you’ve never run a business before, it will definitely get you out of your comfort zone. And who knows, maybe it’ll take off and you can quit your day job and enjoy the ultimate freedom: being your own boss.
Bonus: Get Out and Travel. It’s the Ultimate Way to Invest in Yourself.
Okay, I know, this isn’t really something you can do during the pandemic. Once Covid is over, traveling is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. You’ll meet different people, see really cool sights, experience different cultures, and learn how to solve problems in a whole new way. I’ll write more about this later, but I believe that everyone should travel abroad and observe their home country from the outside. I’ve done it many times over the past five years, and it’s always an enlightening, enriching, and eye-opening experience.
Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do, especially during a time of crisis. It’s one of the best return-on-investments out there, and you’ll enhance both your character and your career in the process.
Top Photo: Exploring the Saguaro National Park Backcountry
Tucson, Arizona – February, 2017