Invest in Who You Want to Become
It’s not magic that makes it happen.
In the economy of life, we all have one thing in common — you only get one. Years sneak up on us and before we know it, life isn’t what we’d hoped it would be.
Wasn’t there supposed to be more?
Weren’t things supposed to be different?
How did I get here?
Investing in forethought
Every decision, every relationship, and every inaction compounds. This eventually results in a mythical creature — Who You Will Become. That somebody may seem far away, but not really.
Maybe you don’t even know who you want to become. Maybe you fear the idea. Maybe you’ve never given it a thought.
Thinking ahead to who we want to be is a useful practice. It gives us space to dream and plan for our lives. Unfortunately, we are sometimes too mired in the business of life to think about it.
Our problems and fears threaten to swallow us, blurring the vision of our future selves. Outside demands cripple our ability to spend time on inward reflection. We are swamped and distracted but must fight for time to reflect.
For the love of all, please make time for this. Your future self depends on it. Learn to have a meeting with yourself. Treat it like a doctor’s appointment or an oil change. Get it on the calendar because you are worth it.
Failing to carve out this time can result in floundering and frustration. This not only feels awful but yields terrible results. I know this because I’ve lived it. Thankfully, I’ve gotten wise to the dangers of not investing in myself.
Paving the way to later now
I hope to retire from teaching in ten years. This won’t happen magically. It takes a purposeful attitude. Plenty of thought needs to go into this to make my dream of being a youngish retiree a reality.
I need to get my finances in order. Paying down my bills and avoiding racking up new ones will be key to living the future life I desire. Ignoring money issues and failing to plan will not allow me to be who I wish to be in a decade. Learning to live more simply and frugally is critical.
I need to think about what I’ll do with my life after I retire. My heart’s desire is to become a full-time writer. I can’t sit on my ideas for ten years. Now is the time to practice and polish my craft. Making connections and learning the ropes is the stuff of today so that tomorrow’s life as a writer can be realized.
I need to foster my marriage so it is richer and deeper once I’m free of traditional employment. No use retiring with a man I don’t enjoy being with. My children will be grown and will have just about flown. Once they go, he’s what’s left. I need to love him well and get to know him even better so we can have fun when we retire. Building a life together takes effort.
I need to develop interests and practice enjoying them. In the past four years, I’ve taken up some hobbies. I’m teaching myself to play the ukulele and have started painting using the Bob Ross technique. Years of wanting to pick up the uke and paint happy little trees finally gave way to doing it. Working as a writer will be great, but painting and strumming will round out the life I hope to live someday.
Your next investment
Today’s the day. What’s your next move to invest in who you want to become? Maybe it’s just getting quiet in your own head and reflecting. If you’ve already done this, choose an actionable step. It could be financial, relational, or recreational.
Some great questions to ask yourself to help you make your next move include:
How is what I’m doing now moving me towards what I want?
What do I need to stop or start in order to be the future person I hope to be?
Who do I want along for this journey?
When can I make sacred time to reflect and work on my plan for the future?
Your future self needs you to get busy. Invest in yourself. Before you know it, you’ll be face to face with this person.
Thank you for reading! I’m Tracy Gerhardt-Cooper, and I invite you to follow me if you’d like to read more real talk about real life. Please follow my publication Middle Ground also for midlife musings. Let’s do life on purpose.
