How Do I Get 1% Better Today?
The Answer: Invest in What Lasts
I recently saw a picture that stopped me in my tracks. It was a Loomis armored truck driving behind a hearse. Think about that for a second. One vehicle is carrying money. The other is carrying someone who has reached the end of their journey. And no matter how much money was accumulated during that person’s lifetime, none of it is making the trip.
I’ve never seen a Loomis truck following a hearse in real life, and neither have you. Yet many of us spend our lives acting like our possessions are coming with us.
Here’s the irony. We rarely hesitate to spend money on things that provide temporary enjoyment. A dinner out. The newest gadget. Another subscription. A purchase we may not even remember six months from now. But when it comes to investing in ourselves, we suddenly become cautious. We question the cost of a gym membership, a trainer, a coach, a book, a conference, a mastermind group, or something that could improve our health, mindset, leadership, relationships, or longevity.
Somewhere along the way I heard a statement that changed my perspective: “Never think twice about investing in yourself. It will pay dividends for the rest of your life.”
That challenged me because I realized I had been willing to spend money on things, but hesitant to spend money on growth. Since then, I’ve invested in books, coaching clinics, mastermind groups, educational courses, health tools, and experiences that have helped me become a better leader, husband, father, coach, and person. Not every investment produced the same return, but every one of them taught me something and moved me forward.
The truth is that the greatest asset you will ever manage is not your bank account. It’s you. Your health. Your mind. Your faith. Your relationships. Your skills. When your life is over, your possessions will be left behind. But the impact you made, the people you influenced, and the person you became will be your legacy.
So the next time you have an opportunity to invest in something that can genuinely help you grow, don’t get cheap. You can’t take the money with you. But you can take the person that money helped you become.
Never Stop Getting Better,
John Perry