Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Evan Carmichael Top Header
Share for a Cause









Your Greatest Investment

Written by: Thomas H. Swank

Article Overview: The article "Your Greatest Investment" examines the need for self-growth and personal development as an alternative investment to the traditional financial markets during a recessionary economy.

Free Download - Your #1 Success Attribute By Thomas H. Swank
Name: Email:

Your Greatest Investment

A lot has changed in the past 7 years... or has it?

Harken back seven years ago to 2001. A few short months prior to 9/11, the Dow Jones average hit its yearly high on May 21, 2001 closing at 11,337.92. Here we are, seven years later and as of this writing (12/10/08) the "Dow" mid-afternoon was at 8,743.50.

Had you followed traditional financial advice to be fully invested for the "long term", your portfolio would actually be worth 22.89 % less than it was seven long years ago. Not only have long term investments failed to yield returns, the markets are in turmoil amidst faltering financial firms, mortgage giants, the big 3 auto makers and a "bail-out" scenario that is questionable at best.

The mid-size organization, entrepreneur or local "ma & pa" establishment aren't privy to a bail-out. For them it's simply sink or swim.

Armed with the knowledge of where your investments were, and where they now are, what about your future? You want a better tomorrow, so what do you invest in today?

What is the one "wise" and prudent investment that won't falter, that will continue to grow exponentially, and fund not only your future, but your "dreams"? There is only one such investment.

My expert opinion is, that going forward you absolutely have to invest in a sure thing! Without question the greatest "investment" you can ever make... is in you!

Examine your own value and worth. Take inventory of the investment that you have made in education, training and experience. When and how will that investment pay off? Are past earnings a measure of your "potential"? Or of your future "worth"?

Only you can look deep inside yourself and know the true worth and value that you alone possess, and bring to the marketplace.

Where ever I go, the most frequently asked question I receive is "Tom, how can I make more money?" The answer is simple... you have to become "worth" more!

While things are slow, take advantage of the opportunity which is available to you now, to prepare for your future success by developing your professional and personal “value”.

While you can’t control the markets, you are still in the unique position of being able to control your own destiny. By investing in yourself today, you will be able to govern both your tomorrows, and your future "worth".

Related Articles
  5.1 Investment is vital for an economy to diversify: Economic Report on Africa 2007
  Sales Training Should Cost You Nothing, Nada, Zip
  How to Say Your Price Without Choking
  Death, Public Speaking, and Seniors' Homes
  GMROI – GMROF – GMROL : How To Make More With Less

Home > Business-Coach > Thomas H. Swank > Your Greatest Investment
Article Tags: auto makers, better tomorrow, dow jones, dow jones average, education training, exponentially, financial advice, harken, how can i make more money, mid afternoon, mid size, privy, prudent investment, seven long years, seven years, size organization, sure thing, term investments, true worth, turmoil

About the Author: Thomas H. Swank
RSS for Thomas's articles - Visit Thomas's website

Tom is a trusted advisor and mentor to business entrepreneurs worldwide. He is a motivational speaker and the author of "Noggin Nuggets~365 Days of Exceptional Motivation", "Create The Life... You Want To Live!" and the forthcoming book "Noggin Nuggets For The Road". Register to receive Tom's free business tips and "Special Reports" at www.DevelopingForward.com



Click here to visit Thomas's website
Dashed Line

More from Thomas H. Swank
A Small Business Revolution
Motivation A Key Ingredient For Success
How To Beat The Odds And Win The Recession Marketing Challenge
Your Greatest Investment
Why Not Why Not You Why Not Now


Related Forum Posts
Investment Advisors vs Faciltators Investment Advisors vs Faciltators - Investment advisors provide advise to investors on public companies or investments. Leadsco is a telemarketing company for advisors - providing leads. Investment advisors will not put you in touch with investors. Violates compliance regulations. Facilitators are the best way to help you with strategy and offering for private investors or venture capital.
Which kind of industries are you interested in? Which kind of industries are you interested in? - Ecological or E-business or Investment or Finance or Management or Non-Profit or Retailer or others.
How to valuate a business How to valuate a business - Hi Garth - here is how we did it at Northern Crown Capital when I was helping them raise venture capital for Toronto-based entrepreneurs. Assume the start date is 2003 so 2008 projections are 5 years out: How Northern Crown Capital Valuates a Business 2008 Financial Projections Earnings Before Tax $5,865,000 Tax Rate 42% Taxes $2,463,300 Net Earnings $3,401,700 Amount Seeking to Raise Today $3,500,000 Discounted Value of Future Opportunity, 5 Years Out 2008 P/E Ratio 15 Value of Company in 2008 $51,025,500 Discount Rate Applied 30% Year 2008 $51,025,500 Year 2007 $35,717,850 Year 2006 $25,002,495 Year 2005 $17,501,747 Year 2004 $12,251,223 Value of Company at Investment in 2003 $12,251,223 Less: Investment Amount $3,500,000 Present Value $8,751,223 Discount for Risk & Private Company 40% Less: Discount for Risk & Private Company $3,500,489 Private Company Value $5,250,734 Present Value (What the Owner Keeps) $5,250,734 60.00% Financing (What the Investor Gets) $3,500,000 40.00% Total $8,750,734 100.00% I hope this helps!
Re: Invest in Real Estate or Stocks? Re: Invest in Real Estate or Stocks? - You can consider investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Buy and sell shares like stocks so they are easy to buy and sell, diversify and management is included.
CBC Entrepreneur Shows CBC Entrepreneur Shows - Great suggestions JWGM! Venture is a great show and should be a staple for entrepreneurs looking to get motivation for their business and ideas that other companies are using. There aren't so many shows around anymore with the closure of Investment Television. I hope the Dragon's Den is getting good ratings and other networks will begin their own entrepreneur tv shows!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.



Featured Article


Bottom Footer
Share for a Cause












Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

How to develop the best lateral thinking skills

How to choose your executive coach -1

Sales Courage and Resilience

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.