Why Your Best Investment Isn’t What You Think

I was in Dubai a few days ago, listening to speakers share their knowledge at an event.

It got me thinking about how we approach building wealth. Most people focus on investments like stocks or crypto—things you can buy and sell for a profit. You pick a stock, wait for the right moment, and cash out. That’s fine.

But the real way to get financially ahead isn’t something you can trade. It’s investing in yourself—learning how to make money work.

This kind of investment doesn’t have a public value.

You can’t sell it to anyone. But once you’ve got it, it’s yours forever. You can even pass it to your kids. If I give my children some crypto, they might sell it and that’s the end. But if I teach them how to grow it, they’ve got something that lasts. That’s why I like it—unlimited potential.

My main way to earn fast is by building businesses. I invest the income in stocks, crypto, or other assets. I’ve written about this plan in my book MONEY: Present and Future. It’s simple, but it starts with knowing how to do it. That’s where I focus.

Here’s what I learned in Dubai about growing your financial knowledge. I’ll break it into three parts…

#1. Three Key Takeaways

When I go to an event, I don’t try to learn everything. My goal is to have three takeaways. Could be ideas, strategies, or just something that clicks. Three is enough. It’s not about how much you know—it’s about what you do with it.

You’ve seen people who read every money book out there but never act. That’s the problem: too much info, no results.

I’d rather grab three things I can use than get buried under ideas I won’t touch. And here’s the trick—don’t chase more than three. Trying to squeeze out every drop creates stress. You don’t need that. Focus on what you can handle, and the rest is a bonus.

#2. Three New Connections

Your network matters when you’re aiming for financial freedom. I don’t mean meeting everyone—just three solid connections per event. That’s all.

Why? The right people can save you time, answer questions, or send business your way. It’s a big deal if you’re running a business.

I’ve talked about this in MONEY: Present and Future (it’s just $0.99 on Kindle, no pressure). A good network can pull you out of debt and into profit.

Need a shortcut? Ask someone who knows.

Want clients? Get referred.

Here’s a way to start: walk up to someone and ask, “What’s the biggest thing you learned here?” They’ll share, you’ll listen, and you’ve got a connection. It works anywhere, no matter who they are.

#3. 24-Hour Implementation

You’ve got your three takeaways. Great. But if you don’t act, they’re useless.

Problem is, life gets in the way—work, family, whatever—or maybe you need more details to move.

My rule? Do something within 24 hours. Not the full plan—just the next step.

What does that mean? Write an action plan. List what you’ll do and when. Make it clear.

Say you learned a way to build your email list—don’t just sit on it. Write: “Set up a simple opt-in page by Friday.” That’s it. You’ve started, and you’re moving. Waiting kills progress. Act fast, even if it’s small.

Valuable Tip To Save Time And Money: Pick Quality Events

To keep learning, go to events. Not a bunch of random ones—choose quality. One good event is worth more than ten weak ones. It might cost more, but here’s why it’s worth it: you’ll get better takeaways and meet better people. Free events often lack substance. Paid ones draw folks who are serious, like you.

Live events beat online too. You can watch the same stuff on YouTube, but it’s not the same as being there. You feel the difference. It’s 2025 now—aim to hit three strong events this year.

Invest in your knowledge, and your money will grow with it. That’s how it works.