Motivating yourself to reach a goal seems easy when you first set it. But many people don’t realize how hard it can be once you’re faced with a decision: order in pizza because it’s convenient or make dinner from scratch to save money? It’s hard to stay motivated with finances, but not impossible! Here are seven ways to make it easier on yourself.
Set Clear, Achievable Goals
If you don’t have clear direction, you’ll wander around aimlessly on your journey. Ask yourself: “what do you want?” Maybe it’s to pay off all your debt or have financial independence when you’re older. The “why” is just as important as the “how,” so don’t skip this step!
Track Your Progress
Nothing feels better than seeing how far you’ve come. Tracking your financial progress not only keeps you accountable but also provides a visual representation of your achievements. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, an app, or good old-fashioned pen and paper, find a method that works for you.
Surround Yourself With Good Influences
Talk about your finances with friends and family who are more responsible with their money. Or even if they aren’t, they should at least be supportive of your journey and want to push you to keep going when you need it most. You can also join groups or forums based on what your goals are, like a social media group about building savings to help keep yourself accountable.
Learn!
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to finances. The more you learn about personal finance, investing, and budgeting, the more confident you’ll feel in your decisions. This newfound knowledge can reignite your passion and give you the push you need to keep going. Try to focus on resources that you genuinely enjoy or excite you; you’re much more likely to retain the information if the medium doesn’t bore you to tears.
Visualize Your Success
Visualization is a powerful tool. Take a moment to imagine what achieving your financial goals will look and feel like. Picture yourself stress-free, enjoying that vacation, or celebrating being debt-free. This mental imagery can serve as a reminder of why you started this process in the first place.
Reward Yourself Along the Way
Staying motivated doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the journey. Set up a system of rewards for yourself as you reach milestones. This could be treating yourself to a small but impactful luxury, like a nice meal at your favorite restaurant or that new sweater you’ve been eyeing up, whenever you hit a savings target or pay off a debt. Just remember to keep it small so you don’t set yourself back too many steps.
Stay Flexible
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes your financial journey may take unexpected turns. It’s essential to stay flexible and adapt your plans as needed. If you encounter setbacks, don’t get discouraged—simply view them as learning experiences that can help you grow. If your process isn’t serving you anymore, don’t be afraid to acknowledge that and change the course as needed.
