Why the self made man or woman is a myth - And how you can become one

People who make it into the top 20% of their professions spend something in the region of  3 and 10% of their current income and a lot more of their time on their future development. If you want to reach higher than that - the amount of money and time you spend on yourself increases exponentially. 

I'm sure you buy things for yourself: new clothes, shoes, smellies, undies and other "stuff"

But how much do you spend on "you" and your future self? 

• How many books did you buy last year?
• How many seminars did you attend?
• How many programs did you buy?
• How much time did you invest in your future self?
• How many coaches or mentors do you have – what are they helping you with?

Compare the two.

How much did you spend on "pleasure" as opposed to your future you?

Now it is up to you how far you want to improve your life and that of those around you. Glass ceilings – only you get to decide where that lies.

Let’s crunch some numbers - if you currently earn around $30,000 you should be spending between $900 and $3000 on your future you. As your earnings increase, so should your personal development fund and level of commitment.

Put it into perspective, you can spend $1,000 a year on coffee alone if you buy a single cup of coffee every working day for 48 weeks of the year ... so if you look at it like that it's not a lot of money.

The question is why should you?

Earlier I stated that the people who make it into the top 20% of their profession spend between 3 and 10% of their income on personal and professional development.  Having read the many books which give that figure, let me tell you – I think it was on the low side of how much you need to spend. But for the sake of argument let’s say it is. I would also like to point out the obvious - It’s not that they spent the money or the time – they put what they learned into practice.

You cannot reach a new level of being with the same level of thinking or action. If you want more, you need to grow into that life or you will slowly slip back to the old way of living and income as you once had.

How do you grow into that life and be that person:

• Accept that change is constant
• Accept that you will always need to invest in yourself if you want to continue growing (as a person and financially)
• Accept that it will take time. Small, measured steps are better than flying by the seat of your pants if you’re afraid of heights.

Look at the people you admire:

• How do they dress?
• How do they speak?
• How do they speak to their customers?
• When do they speak to their customers?
• How many appointments do they make?
• How many times do they go the extra mile?

 Of course there will be the few who think they can lie, steal and cheat their way to the top – but that isn’t you.

Action steps: 

• Work out what you are currently worth
• Work out what you would like to be worth
• Work out how much you need to spend on your future self incrementally to ensure you join the 20% (or higher) in your profession

And: 

• For every new piece of information you are given. Add it to your current way of life / doing things and see if it doesn't make a difference.

I can guarantee it will.