Tough Times Need Tough People

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. This is the simple message that has resonated across generations in response to the cyclical processes of life where victories are counterbalanced by setbacks and the future cannot be predicted with certainty.

In other words, when the times are challenging as the present economic crisis has shown us, those with the extra edge succeed. This edge can be obtained only by investing in oneself right from a young age and continuing to do so even in adulthood.

For instance, many young people find themselves out of jobs or unable to break into the crowded job market. With so much competition, it becomes apparent that only those with the special advantage can succeed. Therefore, one has to keep reinventing oneself to adapt to changing circumstances.

If you have a passion for writing or artistry and you are laid off from your day job, you can start a new career by following your passion and make money in the process as well.

Similarly, if you are working in the social sector, you can learn a new computer skill or a new tool that is cutting edge and when you feel that your present job is unviable, and then you can make the transition to other careers.

Invest in Yourself Continuously

Investing in oneself starts from childhood, as it is better to catch them young and watch them grow by nurturing talent and skills.

When in college, do participate in extracurricular activities like debating, group discussions, and running journals as they equip you with the much needed people skills that would come in handy later on in life.

You must remember that people management determines the difference between success and failure in many careers. Hence, honing one’s people skills can lead to an advantage over others.

The next aspect, which is part of the people skills, is communication abilities. It is best to learn a new language other than English and the Mother Tongue, which would enable you to succeed in the global marketplace as those with supplementary language skills are an asset to many multinational companies.

Learning New Skills Never Goes Waste

The third aspect of investing in oneself happens on the job where it is best to mingle with your coworkers, try, and learn extra skills from them. This can give you an edge over others as you would have a repertoire of skills other than the primary skill that your job is based on.

If you are in university or postgraduate programs, you can hone your networking capabilities that would ensure that you have contacts across companies and sectors. When hunting for a job, these contacts come in handy as internal resume referrals are preferred by many companies.

Further, when in B-School or University, learn to enroll in diverse courses other than those connected with core management.

For instance, if you enroll in a human values and management course, or if you enroll in a history of business course, you can learn additional information and gain knowledge that would be useful later.

Finally, opportunity knocks only when there is a door or a gateway to success and hence, investing in oneself never goes waste.