Emma Johnson wrote an inspiring piece for Daily Worth the other day about investing in yourself and your business, and how much is “enough”.

It struck a chord with me, particularly as I’m in the beginning stages on bringing on a virtual assistant – my third freelance employee. On days that I meed with my business advisor, I’m pumped about the expansion. I’m ready to make the investment wholeheartedly, in return for getting back a couple of valuable billable hours, and honestly, a couple hours of my life that have becomes nights at home updating spreadsheets and fielding emails at 10pm.

And then I have an August, a slow month that nibbles away at my confidence, and my bank account. “Maybe I should wait it out until things pick up in September,” I reason with myself. And then I break revenue records, I bring in new clients, I cure cancer, and I still wonder, “Is the timing right to invest in the resources? I can power through a little longer...”

No, I can’t power through a little longer.

Earlier in the summer I stepped down from my only outside revenue stream – a part time recruiting contract. It was only 5 hours per week, but that’s how busy I’ve become with Brooklyn Resume Studio that I could no longer commit to anything outside of the mothership. By giving something up, such as this gig, I was buying back my time, and that’s an important investment in itself.

In fact, I’ve been making it a point to get more comfortable with investing in myself and my business. In the last 12 months I have:

• Left a job that was no longer serving me (or that I could adequately serve)
• Hired a dedicated business advisor to help me drive my business to the next level
• Brought on 2 freelance staff
• Started up my IRA
• Pursued some professional development endeavors – classes, training, books, etc.
• Purchased several subscriptions and pieces of equipment that would allow me to manage my business better
• Spent some money to revamp my apartment and my office, since I work from home and the drab wallpaper was impeding upon my productivity and energy
• Joined a gym and hired a personal trainer to get into my best shape and boost my energy

Last week I celebrated my 31st birthday, and I can honestly say that I’m in the best shape of my life – physically, financially, professionally, creatively and spiritually – and I’m confident that much of that stems from the positive (and sometimes daunting) investments I’ve made in myself and my business.

You know what they say – “You have to spend money to make money,” and it’s absolutely true. The key is in understanding where your investment will have the most return.

Do you struggle with confidence when it comes to making investments related to your own professional development, or the growth of your business?