In my book Money Mastery, I share the following advice: “The more you know and have on your resume, the more you can earn. In other words, the more you learn, the more you earn.”

Do you believe that to be true? Do you understand that you get paid for value, not time?

If you do, then you know the importance of investing in yourself and engaging in continual education throughout your life. However, if you’ve not previously made the connection between eduction and salary, then you’d be wise to begin investing in yourself every single day. The continual learning will pay off. I’m sure of it.

Learn to pour into yourself. This is the secret sauce to long-term success and financial freedom!

 

Here are 3 L’s for investing in yourself:

 

1. Learn.

Begin by reading something positive and inspirational for 30 minutes every day. If you aren’t sure what books to read, start with the Bible! You could also browse the finance and self-improvement section at your local bookstore, or grab any book or devotional from the Christian bookstore.

In addition, you should find a few bloggers who visions you relate to and who post content regularly. Basically, find someone who knows a lot of information about something you don’t know very much about.

Here is what I suggest as a long-term goal: read two books every single week. Yes, you are busy. I get it. I’m busy too. However, we live in the age of digital books and iPhone apps!

Keep your goal in mind – if you commit to reading just one book a week, in ten years you will have read 1000 books. THAT is continual education at it’s finest.

 

2. Listen.

Maybe this seems easier than reading 1000 books in 10 years, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. Find someone who will coach, teach, train, and mentor you. Then, meet with them regularly and listen to them.

Here is why I say, “Don’t let the simplicity fool you.” It can seem easy to take someone out to lunch and listen to their advice for an hour. But don’t forget the key step: implementing their words of wisdom. If they have a suggestion for your business, pursue it. Maybe they believe that you should hold off on that big summer vacation? Take their advice. Or if they see a trait in you that needs improvement, improve it.

It is all too easy to find mentorship but never let it change you. Make every effort to find a person you admire, offer to buy them lunch, and then actually listen and live out their advice. 

 

3. Look.

One of my favorite sayings is, “Success leaves clues.” It’s true, right?

Don’t make the same great mistake that so many people are tempted to make. Never assume how or why someone came into success without actually studying the successful person! Most of the time we make assumptions about someone receiving an inheritance, falling into wealth, or getting lucky. But a vast majority of the time, success is earned.

We can learn to imitate success by watching people function and operate. You don’t have to copy their every move, but it is powerful to follow in the footsteps of someone who has experienced success before you.

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Remember, you bring value – not time – to the marketplace. This has grand implications for your success! If you choose to forget this key truth, you will remain stuck in your current job with your current salary.

But learning is powerful!

Commit to learning, listening, and looking and before long you’ll begin to reap the rewards of the time spent investing in yourself. You won’t remain stuck in your current position. Rather, you’ll be equipped for a long life of success and value!

How do you engage in continual learning? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!