Financial Health Pt 4: Investing

"A calm mind, a fit body, a house full of love." – Naval Ravikant

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." – John Clarke (often attributed to Benjamin Franklin)

What Is Investing, Really?

At its core, investing means allocating resources—time, money, energy, or attention—with the expectation of a future return.

Most often, we hear about investing in a financial context. Stocks, real estate, crypto, retirement accounts—you put money into something now, hoping it grows over time. The fundamental principle remains true across the board: the greater the risk, the greater the potential reward. But that also means a greater chance of loss.

Take the lottery, for example. Your odds of winning are about 1 in 300 million. The payoff is huge, but the likelihood is microscopic. That’s like being born LeBron James—statistically improbable. For the rest of us, there’s a more reliable strategy:

“A little bit, often, over the long haul.” – Ralph Maughan

This is the foundation of compounding—what Albert Einstein called the eighth wonder of the world. He famously said:

“He who understands it, earns it… he who doesn’t, pays it.”

In other words, consistent small investments—whether of money, time, or energy—create exponential results over time.

Debt vs. Investing: Opposite Forces

Just as compounding works for you, debt compounds against you. Financial expert Dave Ramsey popularized the “debt snowball” method, but most people are caught under a debt avalanche, often triggered by just “a little bit more.” A little more spending, a little more credit, a little more lifestyle inflation—until it all snowballs out of control.

Greed feeds debt. Patience feeds investment.

Beyond Money: The Broader Definition of Investment

Investing isn’t just about finances. You can invest in:

• Your health

• Your relationships

• Your education

• Your hobbies

• Your character

• Your carrier

Every investment trades something you value now for the possibility of something greater later. It’s often uncomfortable. It requires delayed gratification. And—just like financial markets—there are no guaranteed returns.

Relationships: The Highest Risk, Highest Reward Investment

The most significant investments you’ll make in life are your life partner and your profession. You pour time, energy, and emotion into them, hoping for love, growth, fulfillment, and stability.

But here’s the paradox: the best investments come with the fewest guarantees.

People aren’t stocks. They’re unpredictable. Sometimes you give everything to someone, and they walk away. Sometimes you take a chance on a friendship, and it becomes the most valuable relationship in your life.

That’s why diversification matters—not just in your portfolio, but in life.

The Power of Diversification in Life

People often over-identify with one thing: a job, a partner, a hobby, a friend. They expect that one thing to fulfill all their needs. That’s a setup for disappointment.

With the possible exception of faith, no one thing can meet all your needs. That’s why emotional, intellectual, and spiritual diversification is critical.

The Challenge of Transferring Wisdom Across Domains

Many people understand the value of financial investing, but not how it translates to:

• Themselves

• Their health

• Their relationships

They may be disciplined in the gym, but reckless with their money. Or wise with finances, but neglectful in love. The rules of investment apply across all areas of life:

• Invest consistently

• Be patient

• Have realistic expectations

• Don’t bet everything on one thing. i.e. Diversify

• Understand that luck still plays a role

Sometimes you’ll pour into someone and get nothing back. Sometimes you’ll give a little, and receive everything. The timeline is rarely yours to control. But the input is.

So, How Do You Actually Invest in Life?

Invest in Wealth

• Automatically put aside part of each paycheck into investments

• Read at least one book a year on personal finance

• Talk to a financial advisor

Invest in Health

• Get quality sleep

• Exercise regularly

• Eat whole, minimally processed foods

• Drink mostly water

• Get sunlight and fresh air

• Avoid addiction

• Build trust—in people and in something bigger than yourself

Invest in People

Inspired by The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz:

• Be impeccable with your word

• Don’t take things personally

• Don’t make assumptions

• Always do your best

Invest in Wisdom

• Learn from experienced people

• Read constantly

• Reflect and practice intentionally

• Turn experience into insight

Final Thoughts: Investing Is a Way of Life

We live in a culture that craves instant results. But the truth is, anything worth having takes time, energy, focus, and faith. If it’s worth it to you—invest in it. Then let go of the outcome. Pray, hustle, and stay open.

The best thing you can do is position yourself for success:

• Diversify

• Stay consistent

• Keep expectations low

• Expand your timeline

• Keep showing up

• Ask Questions

You won’t always get the return you expect—but over time, you’ll likely get the return you deserve.