The Most Essential Asset in Your Portfolio

When we think of investment diversification, the first thing that probably comes to mind is stocks and bonds. Next might come real estate, foreign markets, commodities or even alternatives.

These all play an important role, but there’s one asset class that’s even more important . . . You.

It’s hard to think of ourselves as an asset class. Women especially tend to put themselves last on the list. Sometimes this is because of external demands (carpools! dinner! homework!), but more often than not, it’s due to our own choices and actions.

In many ways, this has shifted a bit in recent years. We don’t feel as guilty (hopefully) taking time for ourselves, knowing how much better off the entire family is when we do so (“When mom’s happy, everyone’s happy!” – whoever said this first, I love you).

We may occasionally treat ourselves to a night out with friends, a spa treatment, a yoga class or a long, hot bath (or in my case, one hour of uninterrupted Real Housewives viewing).

All of which is SO necessary.

But, there’s another way to invest in this asset class that’s sometimes overlooked.

And that’s investing in our growth and development.

Back in 2005, I remember the moment I realized how important this really was. I was playing with my two-year old on the floor, my other two kids busying themselves upstairs when, all of a sudden, like a wave rushing over me, I had a vision of the future: I saw myself years later, sitting on the floor alone, terribly sad and at a loss because all the kids were at school and my husband at his office. Literally, within a few weeks of that moment, I enrolled myself in financial classes and re-invented myself as a CPF® and later as a Money and Life Coach.

This happened to be my path, and yours may be different. It may involve work or a new career, but it may not. It may directly affect your bottom line (like a higher salary), or the result may be more indirect but no less significant (better health, well-being, etc.). It may involve a class, a new leadership position, community involvement or learning something new from the comfort of your own home.

Who knows?! That’s the fun part of it.

Poet William Butler Yeats once wrote: “Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing.”

So consider: if you were an asset class, what role would you like to play in your portfolio? How can you invest in yourself today so that, like your stocks and bonds, you set yourself up for continued growth . . . and happiness!

Post your answers in the comments below!