Dupé Burgess

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The best investment you'll make this year is in yourself

by Dupe Burgess
Apr 27, 2025
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Why 60 minutes a day could change your life

Read time: 3 minutes

10 years ago everything, on paper at least, looked good.

I was working as a doctor; a respected, secure career.

But I felt stuck. I knew there was more out there for me, I just didn’t know what it was or how to reach it.

So I committed to investing just an hour a day outside work, learning, building, and exploring—and it changed my life.

I was investing in myself—and it’s the best thing I ever did.

The fact is: self-investment is no longer optional, it's essential. The future of work is moving fast. Stability is not guaranteed. Skills are having to evolve. AI, remote work, and the creator economy are reshaping things for all of us.

I believe the people who will thrive are the ones who treat themselves like their greatest asset. Through my own journey, I learned that investing in yourself:

  • Builds leverage

  • Creates opportunities

  • Future-proofs your career

  • Gives you autonomy and flexibility

There’s never been a better or more urgent time to start to invest in yourself.

Here are three powerful ways—and how to get started:

 

1. Up-skill

The world is changing so rapidly, and skills (or, better yet, unique skill combinations) are the new currency. Whether it’s copywriting, public speaking, data analytics, or AI tools, learning something new keeps you competitive. This year I’ve invested in improving my writing, and it’s already paying off. Last week I caught my 76 year old dad watching an AI course on Coursera. It’s never too late to learn :)

Do this: Choose a skill aligned with where you want to go, and commit to a free online course (YouTube, Coursera, Udemy) for just 30 minutes a day.

 

2. Build a personal brand

Whether we like it or not, so much opportunity today flows from attention and perception. Building a personal brand is a way to shape your reputation, and take control of how others perceive you. Whether you want to change industries, start your own business, or just open more doors, having a personal brand that shows who you are and what you stand for is a huge asset.

Do this: Pick a platform (LinkedIn, X, TikTok, or a newsletter) and post once a week about something you care about or are learning. Don’t overthink it, just post it!

 

3. Learn how to sell and market yourself

One thing I’ve learnt is that no matter where your path takes you, whether it’s applying for jobs, pitching an idea, or selling a product, your ability to communicate your value is an essential skill. On my own journey, I’ve noticed so many times that those who can sell themselves confidently tend to create the most interesting opportunities. It’s something I’m personally still working on!

Do this: Read one book about marketing or sales ("Sell Like Crazy" by Sabri Suby or "Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller are both great). Find small, low-pressure ways to start practicing how to sell yourself. Update your LinkedIn headline and write a post about your skills.

 

Where you are today isn’t where you have to stay.

The future we dream of is built, day by day, through the investments we make in ourselves, starting now.

And you don’t need to take any giant leaps; that’s scary and off-putting. You just need a small daily commitment to your growth.

In a year’s time, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Hope that helps!

 

Speak soon,

Dupé

 

 


PS: whenever you're ready, feel free to enquire about working together: Get guidance on how to be more visible and grow your brand. Whether you need 1:1 coaching or ready-to-post content, hit reply and let’s chat!

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