Four assets that pay you back for years
Read time: 5 minutes
A few years ago, I reached a point where things didn't feel right.
There was nothing obviously wrong: I was working as a doctor, had a stable career, and was following a path I'd worked really hard to get onto.
But I felt restless; I wanted to expand beyond where I was but had no idea what that should look like.
So rather than making a dramatic change, I started small.
I read more. I explored things that had nothing to do with medicine. I built new skills and followed interests without necessarily knowing where they would lead.
Looking back, it was probably one of the most important periods in my life.
Because the things I did during that time eventually gave me opportunities and choices I couldn't have planned for.
It's made me think differently about what it means to invest in yourself. Here are four things I think are worth investing in:
1. Keep expanding your skill set
The world of work is changing quickly, and the best way to stay relevant is to keep learning. Sometimes a completely new skill; other times, adding to what you already know.
Writing. Public speaking. Data. Sales. AI. Storytelling.
Interesting skill combinations are incredibly valuable.
Over the past few years, I’ve focused heavily on improving my writing and speaking. And both have created opportunities I couldn't have predicted.
Try this: Choose one skill that interests you or aligns with where you'd like to go next. Give yourself 30 minutes a day to get better at it.
2. Invest in relationships before you need them
Looking back, many of the most valuable opportunities I've had have come through people. Not from deliberately "networking", but from building genuine relationships over time.
Good relationships expose you to ideas, people and possibilities you may never encounter on your own.
And the best time to build them is way before you need anything.
Try this: Reach out to someone whose work you admire, an old colleague you haven't spoken to for a while, or someone you've been meaning to get to know - without an agenda.
3. Learn how to communicate your value
You can be brilliant at what you do and still struggle to create opportunities if others don't understand the value you bring.
Whether you're interviewing for a role, pitching an idea, asking for a promotion or building a business, being able to explain what you do and why it matters is always going to be useful.
It's something I'm still refining myself. And it travels with you wherever your career takes you.
Try this: Explain what you do and the value you create in two sentences, without using your job title. If it's hard to do, it's probably worth working on.
4. Build a visible presence
I've seen first-hand what happens when you combine expertise with visibility. People begin to understand what you care about and what you can help with.
And that creates opportunities you'd never have known to go looking for.
It doesn't have to mean posting every day or becoming an influencer. LinkedIn, a newsletter, speaking, a blog or just contributing in the right communities all build visibility over time.
Try this: Pick one way to share your ideas consistently - and start sharing!
The takeaway
We spend a lot of time thinking about investing our money. I think it's just as important to think about what we're building in ourselves.
Skills compound.
Reputation compounds.
Relationships compound.
And the more you build things that aren't tied to one job, company or title, the more options you create for yourself.
No dramatic reinvention needed. Just start small and give it time.
Want support building authority on LinkedIn? Reply to this email and we’ll set up a conversation.
Speak soon!
Dupé
