Leadership Development is not exclusive, at least it shouldn’t be. It should be inclusive. The most important investment you can ever make is in yourself. It is the only investment that is guaranteed a positive return. It is the only investment that you can control.

Developing your leadership skills is an important investment. We should be developing these skills personally and professionally. Sometimes though we face road blocks when it comes to developing ourselves as leaders.

Have you ever tried to invest in yourself, but something or someone got in the way? Maybe you wanted to be a part of a leadership development program, but you were not given the time off by your boss? I have seen this one happen a lot at SOS Leadership.

Or maybe your applied for some kind of program, but you didn’t get in. Sometimes being rejected, whether it be by a superior, an organization, or by a specific program, can set us back. It is important to remember that no one can hold you back, except you.

Leadership Development is not exclusive. It is not some club that only a select group of people can be a part of. Leadership Development, or any kind of personal or professional development for that matter, should be INCLUSIVE.

You see, we don’t need a select few leaders to step up. We need every person to step up and answer the call to leadership. This means we need everyone to invest in themselves.

If you applied for something and were rejected, don’t stop investing in yourself. Find another way to do so. There are so many ways to invest in your own growth.

Here are 4 Ways to Invest in Your Own Growth:

• Read a new personal development book every month and actually discuss it with someone. If reading is not your thing, why not listen to the book on your Smart Phone, computer, or in your car? I use Summary.com often, along with Audible.com. I don’t always have time to sit down and read directly from a book, but I can always find time to listen. Plus listening multiple times to something helps you retain the information.
• Watch educational and motivational video’s online. I recommend browsing through some of the TED talks that are short, sweet and oh so helpful.
• Read blogs like this one. Start following blogs by authors you respect. A few of my favorite blogs to follow are: Thinking about Leadership, Michael Lee Stallard’s Connection Culture, and Leadership Freak.
• Lastly, hire a personal coach or become a part of group coaching. Both of these options will be a major investment, but the return will be significant. This is a great way to make positive changes, and to have help along the way.

There are so many ways you can invest in yourself. The important thing is that you find ways that work for you. Don’t get discouraged when something doesn’t work out. For every door that closes, another door opens.

No one ever really says “No” to you. No one ever “rejects” you. They just give you a reason to rise up, find a better opportunity, and continue becoming the best version of YOU.