Investing in Yourself

This article was originally published in issue #02 of my Flying Solo newsletter. Subscribe and read previous issues in the archive.

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When you work for yourself (either as a soloist or founder with a team), it's easy to push self-improvement to "when things calm down." My reality is that they never do. There's always another email to answer, another client request, another bit of admin that suddenly feels more pressing.

Lately, I've been rethinking how I approach "personal development". Instead of seeing it as a luxury or something to do "when I have time", I'm treating it like regular maintenance — small, manageable changes that, over time, will hopefully have a significant impact.

Here are five things I've been trying:

• Time blocking — I'm setting aside time on my calendar for intentional learning, for example, playing with ChatGPT or Claude, getting to grips with Riverside, and improving my Figma skills.
• Improved my setup — After far too long, I've upgraded my desk chair, invested in better lighting, and even bought some bookends to keep my ever-growing "to read" pile in check.
• Daylight — I realised I could go days without stepping outside, especially in winter when it's dark at both ends of the workday. Now, I make a point of taking a daily walk—not just for exercise, but for a much-needed dose of daylight. (Though, living in the UK, this is often weather-permitting!)
• New perspectives — Over the 18 months, I've been trying to step outside my usual bubble of authors, podcasts, and events. Last year, my highlight event was on behavioural science, and my favourite book was on hospitality! Both have helped me with my day-to-day work.
• Investing £££ in training — Beyond events, I recently invested in coaching training and joined Ellen's Authority Club as part of the first cohort. Both experiences were invaluable in their own ways.

None of this is groundbreaking, but I've noticed that when I prioritise these things, I feel like I am making progress. How do you invest in yourself? Hit reply and let me know — I'm always up for new ideas.

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