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The world's best investment
Friday, 23 November 2007
Many people don't think of it consciously, but much of our lives are spent deciding how to invest our resources. Families decide whether to move into a bigger house, or save their money and stay in the current one. Young women decide which man they should bet their reproductive potential on. Workers ponder what they should do with their holidays. And so on.
Of course there's also the more obvious fields of investment. Where should you put your retirement funds? Should you put a windfall into shares or property?
And there's the biggest investment question of all - What should I spend the limited days of my life doing?
Some investments are good, some bad.
Time invested in exercise is great for your health. But spend a month not exercising, and you'll be back to square one. Many purchases have a similar problem. We all know a new car loses value the minute you drive it off the block.
But there's one investment that stays with you almost your entire life. Every minute put into it improves your well-being, and will continue to pay back years later.
That investment is education. Once it's in your head, it's there forever. Sure it may fade a little, but it usually doesn't take much work to bring it back.
It's usually reasonably priced in time and money. And it's fun. The more of it you invest in - the bigger the returns you get from it.
There are very few educational undertakings that aren't worthwhile. You should spend your life improving your own education and understanding of the world. Leverage off the learnings of others, and fill your head with interesting stuff.
Education is the world's best investment. Put some of your own resources into it.
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