8 Investments You Need to Make in Yourself This Year

It's time to put your money where your mouth is.
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If you want your career—and your life—to take off this year, it's time to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak, and invest in yourself. After all, "there is no advancement without investment," life coach Stacia Pierce says. "A personal investment in your skills, your image, or even the tools you need to succeed increases your value overall."

That doesn't mean you'll have to unload buckets of cash to get ahead. Even small, $15 investments (see number 4) will make a big difference. The point, though, is to put value on yourself by investing in yourself. Here are eight ways to get started.

1. Invest in your professional image. That pair of killer pumps isn't always a nonsensical splurge. "Your image educates people on how to address you," explains Pierce. "And you can ensure that you are perceived as a serious player by investing in a quality dress or suit and shoes." Whatever this key piece is, choose it based on what's appropriate for your work environment—and make sure it speaks to your unique personality too. "Get something that makes you feel confident when you put it on," says Pierce. "When you look good, you feel good, and you perform well."

2. Get serious about taking care of your body. Sure, countless people have let their New Year's fitness goals come and go. But committing to exercising and eating healthy is critical to your success, says Karen Elizaga, author of Find Your Sweet Spot. "In order to be effective at your job, you need energy, clarity, and stamina, and exercise enhances all of that," she explains. "Whether it’s taking classes at the gym, running—or even walking—outside, or hiring a personal trainer, this is an absolute must."

3. Take advantage of your employer's 401(k) plan. This is your chance to invest in your future self. Why? "If your employer offers a 401(k) match, it’s essentially free money on the table," says Elle Kaplan, financial expert and founder of LexION Capital. "There aren’t many opportunities where you’ll get someone else to invest their money toward your future." With that in mind, you should try to invest the entire amount your company will match. "Even if you can’t reach their entire match yet, every dollar still counts when it comes to retirement," Kaplan says.

4. Read more. You may shy away from the self-help aisle of the bookstore, but Pierce would encourage you to peruse it this year. "Every time I wanted to take my life to a new level, I found my answers in a book," she says. Bonus: a book can give you a boost for less than $15. And it doesn't have to end with self-help tutorials. You could subscribe to an audio book service so that you can take in new information on the go—like when you're working out—or sign up to attend a workshop on the weekend. Whatever form it takes, "thought-provoking information will empower you to upgrade your mentality for success," Pierce says.

5. Study with a grammar coach. Yes, they really do exist, and they can help whip everything from your emails to your social media presence into shape. "So much of our business interactions take place by email," says Elizaga, "and therefore, the quality of our written word is critically important for making a positive impression. A grammar coach will remind you of all of those rules you may have forgotten since high school graduation and immediately improve your online presence."

6. Start a Roth IRA. It may seem like retirement investment overload, but we promise it's not. "Retirement might seem incredibly far away—and it probably doesn’t seem like a pressing matter now—but that also means your wealth will have decades to grow," says Kaplan. Unlike a 401(k), your money is taxed before you invest it, "so you can withdraw it tax-free during your golden years," Kaplan says.

7. Make time for your relationships. According to Pierce, "You can’t be a lone ranger on your career path." Instead, you have to invest in those relationships—albeit, not always financially—to be successful. Pierce suggests that as you nurture your existing relationships, you should also challenge yourself to build new bonds this year. "The more you invest in these relationships, the more you’ll build a valuable network that could help you advance in your career later," she says. So buy your dream career mentor a coffee—and that $4 latte could really pay off.

8. Hire an executive coach. Different from a career coach, "an executive coach will walk alongside you, help you to identify areas for improvement as well as your strong points, and then work with you to tackle challenges in your current role," explains Elizaga, who is an executive coach herself. It might be pricey, but his or her advice could pay off in helping you move up in your career today. "Having an executive coach augments your willingness to participate, boosts your confidence, and enriches your skills set," says Elizaga. "You have someone in your corner who you can bounce ideas off of and problem solve."