The personal investment philosophy
Small steps, exponential returns
The most valuable investments I’ve made aren’t financial. My greatest ROI has come from the time, attention, and resources I’ve dedicated to investing in my own development - be that physical, mental or emotional. With just a little effort, modest investments have delivered outsized results. Here are a few practical examples, starting with a 20-minute daily practice.
Ditching stretching for mobility
For years, I have maintained an active fitness regimen - lifting weights, running, swimming, and playing occasional social sports. Yet I hate stretching, and most weeks left me nursing a sore body, with regular massage required to feel ‘normal’.
The turning point came earlier this year when I committed to 20 minutes of daily mobility work, non-negotiable. After just three months of consistent practice, the impact has been massive:
my knees, often causing me issues and with a family history of challenges, now feel stronger than they have in years
the regular tightness in my neck and shoulders is hardly there
massage therapy, once a necessity, is now an occasional luxury
most surprisingly, these sessions have become a highlight of my week - moments of mindful movement I genuinely look forward to and feel incredible afterwards
The investment was minimal: just 20 minutes daily and around $100 for a program to get me started. Since making this investment I’ve felt amazing, improved performance, and had significant savings on remedial treatments.
What my blood sugar taught me about ‘healthy’ eating
Like many, I spent decades eating ‘normally’, unaware of how specific foods were affecting me at a biological level. But after working with a qualified integrative dietician and investing in blood sugar monitoring and microbiome mapping, I discovered some surprising insights, particularly given my relatively ‘clean’ diet.
My blood glucose would rocket into diabetic ranges after consuming gluten and some carbohydrates - despite showing few, if any, obvious external symptoms. Further testing revealed compromised gut wall integrity that had been silently developing for years. Could I still function – yes? Did it impact my day-to-day – no. But this investment in specialised testing and professional guidance helped me:
better understand what types of foods cause issues for my body
initiate targeted healing protocols for my gut lining
diversify my microbiome with specific interventions
most importantly - prevent potential health complications before they manifested
The upfront cost of specialised testing and consultation fees has already been repaid many times over in a greater sense of appreciation for food and peace of mind that comes from addressing problems at the source rather than managing symptoms in my later years.
The underused and undervalued power of coaching
There’s one investment that has consistently delivered outsized returns for me: working with skilled coaches. From sports coaches to business mentors, personal development guides, and even relationship coaches as preventative support - these partnerships have been monumental in my development and personal growth.
Why has coaching been such a powerful investment?
external perspective that bypasses my blind spots
accountability that transforms intentions into consistent action
expertise that accelerates progress and prevents costly mistakes
support through challenges that might otherwise derail progress
The right coach hasn’t just help solve current problems - they have helped to identify opportunities and permanent leaps that I might never have recognised on my own.
Expanding the portfolio: other high-return personal investments
Personal investments can be one-off, large investments, but equally can be small, repeated actions. Other investments I have found invaluable include:
contrast therapy: regular sauna sessions paired with cold exposure for cardiovascular health and inflammation management
daily movement: even modest exercise serves as preventative medicine for mental health challenges
reflection practices: simple journaling routines that promote emotional regulation, better sleep and clarity in my thinking
breathwork: structured breathing techniques to help the nervous system adapt to stress and build resilience
Closing thoughts
It’s approaching the mid-point of the year and a great time to reflect on the first half, and plan for the next. Consider if there is a personal investment on your mind that you have been postponing.
These investments might seem unnecessary or indulgent in the moment. The costs -whether financial resources, time commitments, or temporary discomfort - can easily result in no action.
Yet few people regret an investment in themselves. More often, the regrets have come from not investing earlier. The compound returns on personal investments should not be underestimated. Quality of life can fundamentally change in rapid time.
Is there an investment you’ve been putting off that you need to make today?