Forget Stocks and Real Estate—You Are Your Best Investment

We’ve all been there.

You want something fixed, changed, or upgraded in your life, but you hesitate to spend the money. Instead, you think, “I’ll figure it out myself.”

That was me last year with my house. I desperately wanted to put in can lights in my craft room. I needed better lighting to really enjoy my creative projects. My husband, the occasional DIY enthusiast (but mostly just in his head!), insisted we didn’t need to hire anyone. “I’ll learn how to do it from YouTube,” he said.

Guess how that went?

A year passed. No can lights.

My craft room remained dim, and my frustration grew.

Finally, I hired a professional, and guess what? They installed the lights in a single day.

One. Day.

We have all been there - the delays, the trial-and-error, and the frustration steal more from you than the price of hiring an expert ever would.

This is exactly how I approach investing in myself. It’s the difference between taking years to figure things out on your own versus getting the exact steps, accountability, and speed to achieve your goals.

DIY Isn’t Always the Smartest Path

When I decided to start my business, I could’ve leaned on my MBA or my experience in marketing and sales. After all, I “knew” what needed to be done. But knowing isn’t the same as doing—and doing it well.

I knew if I tried to figure it all out on my own, I’d spend months (or years) making mistakes, second-guessing my strategy, and wasting time. So, I did what I knew would get me there faster - I hired a coach (an amazing one!).

I invested in coaching to give me clarity, avoid trial-and-error pitfalls, and stay accountable to my goals. That’s how I built my business on the right foundation and got results quickly.

Why Investing in Yourself is the Shortcut You Need

When it comes to your career, the DIY route can feel like the safer choice. You tell yourself:

• “I’ll figure it out eventually.”
• “I’ve done this much on my own—why stop now?”
• “I don’t need to spend money when I can research for free.”

But the truth is - the cost of “figuring it out” often far outweighs the investment in getting expert help.

Think of it this way -

• Hiring a professional for your career is like hiring that electrician for your house. They already know the steps. They know how to avoid costly mistakes. And they get the job done in a fraction of the time it would take you to learn it yourself.

How Investing in Yourself Pays Off

Here’s what happens when you choose to invest in yourself:

1. You Gain Speed

Instead of spending months (or years) fumbling through trial and error, you get a proven roadmap. You know exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to avoid pitfalls.

2. You Gain Confidence

When you have expert guidance, you stop second-guessing yourself. You move forward knowing that your plan is solid and aligned with your goals.

3. You Get Real Results

Investing in yourself isn’t about fluffy feel-good moments. It’s about tangible outcomes—higher pay, better roles, and long-term career growth.

4. You Avoid Burnout

Trying to do everything on your own is exhausting. Investing in support means you can focus on what you do best while letting someone else guide you through the rest.

The Hidden Costs of Doing It Yourself

What’s the cost of not investing in yourself?

• Time Lost: You spend months spinning your wheels, trying to figure out what’s not working.
• Opportunities Missed: Promotions, raises, or dream roles slip away because you didn’t have the clarity or confidence to act.
• Burnout: You waste energy on things that could’ve been avoided with the right support.

What’s Your Next Step?

If you’ve been feeling stuck, undervalued, or unsure of how to take the next step in your career, it’s not a sign to try harder—it’s a sign to take action!

Investing in yourself gives you the clarity, accountability, and speed to achieve your goals without wasting time or energy.

The question is - how long are you willing to wait for your “can lights” moment?

The smartest career move you’ll ever make starts with betting on yourself. What do you think?

Book a game plan call if you are ready!

Dorothy Mashburn is on a mission to empower women of color (and allies!) to steer their career journey and confidently negotiate their value. She can be reached here.

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