3 Major Ways to Invest In Yourself Daily
written by Sydney Ford
How many times a day do you find yourself endlessly scrolling just to pass time or drowning yourself in mediocre playlists to keep silence at bay?
Somewhere between adulting and the millions of things that urge us to check out from life, we’ve forgotten the importance of feeding our minds. We’ve forgotten that it’s just as important as grinding, connecting and making moves. By seizing opportunities for passive enlightenment, you are creating endless opportunities to become more socially conscious, effectively aware, and professionally attuned.
Here are a few resources that can be used to become active in investing in your mind daily.
Podcasts
Podcasts are becoming as common as the newsletter used to be. Podcasts are perfect in their delivery of short bursts of stimulating dialogue from experts and enthusiasts in almost every field.
Having access to our phone makes it easy to capitalize on the empty space in our day— post-shower routine, your commute, and downtime at work. Here are a few shows that give insight on topics that can actually be applied daily. Don’t forget to open the conversation by tapping into their social media handles, comment sections and good old email with questions (or compliments).
Who knows, you may even spark the topic for an upcoming episode.
Financial Literacy, A.K.A what they should have taught us in school
Learn from finance enthusiasts and industry leaders how to launch yourself into financial liberation this year.
Two Black Guys with Good Credit
Get weekly advice from two successful Brooklyn business owners. who offer tips on how to make, manage and save your money.
With over 1 million downloads, this podcast, hosted by Certified Financial Education Instructor Jamila Souffrant gives us a glimpse into her financial journey and inspires us all through her lessons on achieving financial freedom, releasing debt, and sure track to early retirement.
Tune in Wednesdays for your dose of professional and financial realness from the reporter, Mandi Woodruff, and booming new budgetnista Tiffany Aliche. Backed by MSNBC and Inc., they are two industry leaders that break down finance for you!
Culture-Inspired Conversations: It’s not all about getting the tea
Listen in to conscious conversation from these pop culture buffs dissecting current events:
While listeners are waiting for bated breath for the newest season to air, get your fix by listening to archives. These New York Times culture writers, Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris are the brother and sister of the airwaves that we didn’t even know that we needed. These two are dropping gems every episode and always provoke a new perspective.
NPR drops this weekly podcast that talks all things culture and identity. The team of POC journalists brings their honesty while tackling tough topics. You’ll laugh, cry, and push your comfort levels, and there is no shortage of conversation starters from this great listen.
You’ll feel like you’ve just met your two sauciest new friends. Kid Fury and Crissel. Tune into their podcast to keep up with all things pop-culture. These two stay ready with quick wit and sharp-tongued updates. This award-winning podcast is not one that you’d want to miss.
Wellness: Yes, your mental health actually matters
Carve out time in your week to have a mental check-in. Take wellness advice from doctors and learn new practices to secure your peace of mind.
Dr. Joy is on a mission to destigmatize mental health. This licensed psychologist has created a safe space to unpack issues and offer access to support. Dr. J is really building a community surrounding wellness. @therapyforblackgirls
Keep your Wednesday free to join in on the conversation with hosts Dustin, Fran, and Assante. This trio takes discusses mental health and maintenance. They said it best, “who in the hell wants a musty brain?”
A structured, mental reprieve
Take a load off and just tune in to some easy listening.
These two journalists stories surrounding what it means to be black and how we are talking about blackness. Hosts Hana Baba and Leila Day have intimate conversations that connect us all at the earbuds.
This podcast is transitioning to a larger platform but there are over two and a half years of content to enjoy while you wait. Brittany and Eric explore the most interesting aspects of our culture. From befriending a black robot to fashion tips, conquering controversial music to heartwarming immigration tales, this podcast covers it all.
Books/Audio Books
Literature is said to be a dying medium, but I can’t tell with the number of books I see riding the train with me every day. There is something pure about giving your eyes a rest from the glare of your screen and just picking up a book that catalogs the past, explains the present, or explores the future. Here are a few books worth adding to your reading list this year!
Motivational Support in Times of Uncertainty
The Road to Redemption Overcoming Life’s Detours, Obstacles and Challenges
by Lucinda Cross
This book utilizes five points to activate a more empowered future: focus, determination, action, perspective, and mindset. By guiding you through what you envision for yourself, it provides a roadmap for your journey to create the best version of yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Redemption-Overcoming-Obstacles-Challenges-ebook/dp/B007OZUTZA
by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Lose Yourself in an intimate conversation about our nation!
This best-seller offers a new perspective on the narrative surrounding our nation and race. This work brazenly addresses the past, present and offers new visions of what could be our future.
Restoring Hope: Conversations on the Future of Black America
by Cornel West
Explore the Forward Thinking of nine artists, scholars and public figures. Cornel West records conversations with nine of America’s most influential figures about politics, art, and hope among black Americans.
Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”
by Zora Neale Hurston
Take a Closer Look at History
This book takes us back in time during 1927 interviews with Cudjo Lewis, one of the few living slaves that was transported from Africa to America. Lewis gives a first-hand account of what millions of men, women, and children experienced in bondage years after the Atlantic slave trade was outlawed.
E-Learning Courses
We read all the time about investing in our craft daily, but no one ever really explains how to do it. Going back to school isn’t always an option when the hustle doesn’t stop. Good news, here are three alternatives that give you the chance to learn a little or a lot about almost anything. Just take your time and learn at your pace!
Unlock short bursts of information or intensive dives into trade learning. With frequently discounted lessons, you could be taking lessons on everything from personal development to software development, sometimes for the low price of 5 bucks.
The intro to the site literally says, “learn everything about anything.” Lessons are curated by some of the world’s greatest professors and new lectures are added monthly. It’s everything that schooling could be, without any of the stress. The opportunity for education is endless with Great Courses Plus.
Although Youtube is known for its tutorial and social-celeb vloggers, it was once and still is a platform for those passionate and knowledgeable to share what they know with the rest of the world. Finding information that piques your interests is just a search bar away.
As important as it can be to invest in your career and relationships, ensure that you’re investing the same amount of time into yourself. This is just the start, but find the sources that work best for you. Make it a part of your daily routine to learn something new or deepen your knowledge in your current interests. You always deserve the opportunity to be better, most of the time is you, that has to give yourself the chance.
Bio:
This Detroit native has always found solace in the written word. Formally trained as a journalist, Sydney uses her voice to make a difference. Writing for various minority-owned publications was just the beginning. Over the past 4 years Sydney has created a literacy enrichment organization, Urban Glass, dedicated to providing equity in academia. When she isn’t reporting, and running her businesses, Sydney is working on her first novel which will debut on her blog! Find out more about her upcoming projects at TheSydneyFord.com.