Dr. Marc D. Gilbert my business professor at John Brown University used to tell me, “What you do today, is important, because it will impact tomorrow.”   Personal and professional development pays dividends down the road of life not only for you but even greater in what you can bring to others.

Investment takes time, energy, money and commitment to yourself and others.

In the workplace we have the opportunity daily to do our work efficiently and effectively. The goal is to eliminate time wasted on rework or fixing problems that we were not sure how to do correctly the first time.

To be more efficient and effective we must make plans beyond the week ahead and carve out time to invest in ourselves. Create a budget that fits your wallet and plan to move forward. Take a day or two to advance your skills to the next level. If you do not do it today, it may never happen. It is not up to your superiors to figure out a development plan for you. You are worth the investment and simply being satisfied with where you are right now is a backwards path to personal development.

I met with a client recently who invested in a Director of Employee Development. I commended him for his forward thinking. His results were impressive. Employees were seizing the opportunities to gain experience and grow, and he is attracting great people and creating a learning culture. Every age group is embracing this wholeheartedly. Think about your millennials and how a director would impact their future employment and how good that would be for more companies to consider. Those that do not want to invest in their development, will move on and you will have a group of employees who remain that are going to have impact in the workplace.

Want to get ahead in the world, invest in new ways to do old things. Technology is rocketing ahead, do not miss the rapid transit that will pass you by before you can blink if you are not on board. Look for innovative approaches to problem solving and be contributors of solutions in the workplace.

Investing in personal development is crucial for a person of faith when you think about generational impact.

Investing in personal development is crucial for yourself, especially from a faith perspective.

The Bible teaches that we are stewards of the gifts and talents given to us. Developing ourselves helps us use these gifts more effectively for God’s glory.

Proverbs emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding. Personal development often involves gaining knowledge and insight, which aligns with Biblical teaching.

Personal growth equips us to serve others better. By enhancing our skills and character, we become more effective in our communities and can help meet the needs of others.

God has a unique purpose for each person. Investing in our personal development helps us discern and fulfill that purpose more fully.

Personal development often involves facing challenges and building resilience. This process can strengthen our faith and reliance on God.

Jesus taught the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself. Investing in personal growth helps cultivate self-love and self-care, enabling us to love.

By committing to personal development, we align ourselves with Biblical principles and position ourselves to live out our faith in meaningful ways.

People are worth the investment for yourself as well as for how it benefits others. I loved the movie “Pay it Forward” and the next generation will be the beneficiary of your time and energy today, as Dr. Gilbert would tell me.

Sustainability and longevity in the workplace belong to those who invest in themselves and contribute to the overall good of others. It begins by investing in yourself so that you are adept at bringing value to others.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good steward of God’s varied Grace. 1 Peter 4:10.