Two: Invest in the things that get you closer to your dreams.

[Preface] Defining Decade author Dr. Meg Jay writes in her book that twenty somethings develop forward thinking capabilities between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five. Before then, the frontal lobe of a human being’s brain has not yet fully formed. This means human beings do not possess consequential thinking abilities until they are in their late twenties. The irony of this, Dr. Jay writes, is that our twenties are part of the most critical decade of our lives. 

During this period of time, our actions form the foundation upon which we lead our lives. It influences our potential to thrive or fall into a cycle of mediocrity. Fortunately, even when we’ve moved past our twenties and entered our thirties, there is still time to make the critical lifestyle changes that shape our future. In this blog series, I wanted to reflect on my personal experiences and share some of the key life lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Stay tuned on Tuesdays and Thursdays over the next few weeks for these postings. Whether you’re a twenty, a thirty, or a forty-something, I hope these insights give you food for thought and a chance to live your best life.

Lesson Two: Invest in the things that get you closer to your dreams.

Similar to the last lesson, that new car you bought will bleed money overnight. The new Apple iPhone X will be worthless in three years. The $30 bottle of Crown Royal will be gone in a few weeks. None of these items play a lasting role in your life. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in simple pleasures, but rather it means you should place your priorities on things that get you ahead in your life. Put the money you have today towards things that will grow in value.

Buy that power suit or outfit you’ve been dreaming of. Pay for a conference. Hunt for your dream job then take the classes on Udemy once you know what skills you need. Build something. Grow something. Learn how to turn an idea into a product. Write a book. Buy a book on investing and take your chances on the market. All of these things make you even more valuable than you are today. And because they have the potential to make you more valuable, you’ll be able to earn more and afford the things that burn money as soon as you swipe your card.

Past Lessons:

Lesson One:Borrowed money is borrowed time.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the author's employer.