Today is the youngest day of the rest of your life. — It is better to invest in yourself sooner rather than later. But it is never too late.

I am Yuri Kodama, a presence-up coach who helps you enhance your presence and influence to open up your next stage.
Today, I reunited with a friend from high school after a long time, and we had many realizations while looking back on our lives and discussing what we want to challenge ourselves with in the future.

Today, I reunited with a friend from high school after a long time, and we had many realizations while looking back on our lives and discussing what we want to challenge ourselves with in the future.
Today, I reunited with a friend from high school after a long time, and we had many realizations while looking back on our lives and discussing what we want to challenge ourselves with in the future.
Today, I reunited with a friend from high school after a long time, and we had many realizations while looking back on our lives and discussing what we want to challenge ourselves with in the future.

“When you look back on your life, what are the things you wish you had challenged yourself to do?”

For me, one of those things is “self-investment.” Especially my study abroad experience during my student days.
I was working a part-time job at the time.
I didn't have much money, but I had time.
However, I made various excuses like, “It might be a waste to take a leave of absence now,” or “I need to focus on job hunting,” and in the end, I postponed what I was truly interested in. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had gone abroad back then.

But on the other hand, instead of continuing to regret the path I didn't choose, I have made the effort to make the path I did choose the right one. That is why I am where I am today.

I also believe that.

That is why now, I want to be as honest as possible about the things I feel I “want to try.”

Over the past few years, I have made various self-investments.
It is not just about learning or certifications.
It includes meeting people, traveling, beauty,
taking care of my body, and new experiences.

There have been times when things didn't turn out as expected.
Even so, I don't think it was a waste at all.

This is because what increases through self-investment is not just “knowledge.”

Experiences increase.
The people you meet change.
The world you see expands.
Your own value standards are updated.
And one experience leads to the next challenge.

I feel that there is something like “compound interest” in self-investment as well.

Therefore, it is better to start sooner rather than later.
In your 20s, even if you don't have much money, you have time and physical strength. In your 30s,
skills and connections increase. But you are busy with work and don't have much time. By your 40s, you have even more
experience, relationships, skills, and financial leeway accumulated compared to when you were younger.

Depending on your age,
the “life asset portfolio” you possess changes.

If you can invest in yourself from a young age in things you are truly interested in and want to polish further, there is nothing better than that.

However, I do not believe that self-investment is only for young people.

In fact, in your 40s and 50s, precisely because you have
accumulated things so far,
a single learning or experience can connect the dots of the past,
leading to significant changes.

As you go through the decades, the way self-investment “works” is different.
And one more thing.

The reason I continue to invest in myself now is that
if I grow, the value I can provide to those around me also increases.

The services I provide myself
are not always the same.

I learn, experience, and grow myself.
The market environment also changes.
Along with that, the value and content I can provide
are constantly being updated.
As a result, the value that customers can receive also increases.

I believe that investing in yourself is not just for your own sake, but
something that will eventually be given back to others as well.

Also, self-investment is not something you only do because something is "lacking."

There is also self-investment to make even better use of what you have cultivated so far.

There are times when I also think, "I wish I had done this sooner."
But I cannot go back to the past.

So, what will I do from here on out?
Today is the youngest day of the rest of your life.
Instead of blaming myself five or ten years from now by saying, "I wish I had done it back then,"

"I'm glad I did it back then" I want to make choices now that I can be proud of.
That is how I feel.

What would you like to invest in for your future self right now?

Thank you for reading.