Stop Waiting, Start Growing: Why Prioritizing You Pays Off

One thing I’ve noticed in my almost 30 years of working in communications, is how the number of people who say they want to grow their career is dramatically higher than the number of people who prioritize their personal learning and development. 

Working with clients, I often hear comments about what they want to achieve. When I ask what professional or personal development they’re doing, the response tends to be reasons why they don’t have the time versus steps they’re taking. 

I get it. There are seasons of life when it’s hard to find the time. When my kids were young, it was all I could do to get through the days. 

But as they got older, and the years of little self-care starting taking their toll, I realized it was time to invest in me. 

Slow but steady

I started small, by working with a personal trainer and focusing on my physical health. I progressed from one-on-one sessions to regularly attending group classes. These are sacred times set in my calendar that are non-negotiable. 

Within a few months I not only lost weight, but also had an increase in energy and stamina. This propelled me to the next investment in myself – working with a leadership coach to get clear on how I show up in the work I do and the clients I want to attract. 

While I had many excuses along my journey to hit pause, I remained committed. I stayed true to the advice I give my clients – You’re the only person who can prioritize you. No one else will do it for you. 

Commit to you

A surprising trend emerged as I continued investing in me. The money I spent on coaching and personal or professional development always came back to me – sometimes greater than the investment. 

This return took many forms – new clients, connections, speaking opportunities, revenue streams and additional time (from streamlining my processes). For every investment I made in me, the returns were numerous. 

I quickly learned that investing in you really does pay off!

Excuses = stagnation

As I reap the rewards of investing in my personal and professional growth, I continue to hear reasons why others are resistant to do the same. I’ve seen friends who’ve talked about what they should do, with no action, stay dormant in their careers or struggle year after year with personal challenges. 

I get it – change can be hard. Over time, we get comfortable with what is familiar, and this can limit our desire to move beyond our comfort zone. 

But here’s the thing. With change comes new opportunities. Often better than we could ever imagined. 

For me, the investments I’ve made have strengthened my work as a speaker, corporate trainer, communications consultant and mom. I have the confidence to say no to work that’s not aligned with my values, knowing by saying no I’m leaving space to be able to say yes to what I do want. 

I’ve also developed some meaningful relationships along the way with clients who have become friends. 

My commitment to investing in me has also opened up many incredible opportunities. The most recent is being accepted in an international women’s leadership course that includes a retreat in Bordeaux and Paris France!

This didn’t happen by accident. Rather, I set aside time to be grateful for my personal investments in 2025 while exploring what was next for 2026. 

Once you prioritize you, the opportunities available for personal and professional development will grow. And you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what emerges. 

As we near the end of 2025, I encourage you to look at how you can invest in you in 2026. What sectors of your life do you want to focus on? Your health, fitness, personal or professional growth, knowing that growth in one area positively impacts the others? 

Don’t wait for someone to create a plan or set aside time. Remember – only you can prioritize you. Start small, commit to you and let go of any excuses. You are worth it!