Editor’s Note: The following column was submitted by Megan Bradford, a senior public relations major with a minor in marketing.

“Investing in yourself is the best investment you can ever make.” —Mohsin Jameel

Growing up, my parents constantly reminded me to invest in myself and who I am as a person. Invest in my future, my self-confidence and altogether my well-being. I heard this often with my dad being a business owner; he always was encouraging those who worked for him and alongside him to invest in themselves.

Big or small, any change you make in your life will benefit you. There are ample things you can do to improve who you are and how you invest in yourself. A few things that are important to remember when investing in yourselves include the following: take the time each morning to invest in your appearance, continue education to better your career (schooling, seminars, workshops, latest books) and take care of your body to better your everyday life. You can also mend broken friendships or put more effort into bettering all relationships.

A great place to start is self-care. For some, this could be working out, buying new clothes, getting your hair done or simply getting out and trying a new activity. You can switch up your meal plan and aim to form new habits. For others it may be much more simple. Drinking more water is a small but impactful place to start.

Set goals. Whether that be personal and/or professional, work towards those goals each and every day. Write down these goals and refer to them later on. Keep a gratitude/reflection journal. Write in it each morning or set time aside each week to jot down what you are thankful for. This helps reflect on the smallest things that make you who you are or who you are wanting to become.

You can grab a book, watch a video or listen to a podcast that focuses on the topics you want to learn about. There are countless inspirational and informational platforms that you can follow on social media. If you are struggling in any way to get started, consulting with a life coach or trusted source is always a great way to begin. Having that support will only add positivity to the changes you’re making. Find classes or workshops that will guide you in the direction you desire or attend networking opportunities and social gatherings to expand your connections. Whether your networking is for professional reasons, creative reasons or even just being social, networking is valuable.

Put yourself out there. You would be surprised at how many people are in the same boat as you. No matter what direction you’re going to take as you become “self-made,” you’re going to have to find your voice and use it for good!

All of this can seem intimidating and overwhelming when looking at each as a task to accomplish. Remember it is crucial to continue on the same sleep schedule and to not forget about your current responsibilities. Taking on new challenges can wear on a person. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see progress right away. Many times, making new adjustments can be frustrating but you do have to start somewhere. Look at your changes as progress and soak in the new you!