I struggle with motivation in many areas of my life. It’s not just about sticking to a budget, it’s about my general tendancy to go gung-ho and then lose interest. I’m not the only one, thank goodness; Dave Ramsey talks about the need to maintain gazelle intensiveness, Oprah has talked about daily journaling of five good thing to help keep her momentum up. But it’s still a struggle.
I have found that if I forgive myself the small slips I’m much less likely to fall offtrack in a big way. How about you? How do you stay motivated for the long haul?
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{ 12 comments }
Hmm, I can relate to going overboard and then burning out super-nova style. I usually handle the situation by taking a small break–without spending. It helps to have a list of frugal self-spoiling options, it could mean just relaxing, having a cup of tea, doing yoga, going for a run, exchanging massages with DH, pulling a ready-made meal out of the freezer so I don't have to cook. . .
.-= Simple in France´s last blog ..SIF community spotlight: Tree at Frugal is a Green Journey. =-.
You've got that right. If we could distill motivation and bottle it, we'd never need to read a frugal blog again! 😀
Seriously, I'm not good with cash. So I try to keep cash out of my hands (I use my DH as my personal ATM, and he keeps me in check). Also, keeping a goal in mind is a great tool. I like to daydream about the house we're going to buy, the sales transaction where we hand the seller a huge stack of cash and say, "no, we won;t be needing a mortgage, we can pay for it up front." The shock on their faces, the jaw dropping. Me, taking the keys from their hands and walking into MY (not the bank's) house. That'll stop me cold from making extra purchases.
This is an ironic post, because I am reading it instead of writing my paper that's due in two hours. I think that's my sign to get to work!
.-= Kayla K at Kayla K's Thrifty Ways´s last blog ..How to Win Friends and Influence People: Make These Cookies! =-.
Well, in regards to money, I am frugal but not in an extreme way. I stay motivated by watching our net worth increase =)
.-= Random Thoughts of a Jersey Mom´s last blog ..The Author is a Murderer?!? =-.
Haha! I am the queen bee diet starter! This trend to start but not finish is pervasive in my life. My latest plan is to do everything in moderation, maybe that is something I can actually stay motivated on!?
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Chips-they're for more than just dipping =-.
For me the best motivation is working on my plans. Working on the budget makes me feel better about the finances because I constantly keep track of my progress and how far I've come. Working on vacation plans helps me to stay motivated to save and to lose weight. Reading fabulous blogs like this help add to my to do lists or goals.
.-= Junebug´s last blog ..Tuesday Musings =-.
For me, I try to keep my "list" of things I'm focusing on as brief as possible, usually no more than three or four key things I want to work on or improve about myself at any given time. I've found that if I choose more areas of improvement than that, I end up doing nothing and feeling guilty about it.
Dan
Casual Kitchen
.-= Dan @ Casual Kitchen´s last blog ..The "It's Too Expensive to Eat Healthy Food" Debate =-.
Nice post! it is good to stay motivated.. Just find good reasons to everything you do, make everything fun, recognize your progress, reward yourself.
Just wanted to stop over and say congrats on being part of the 75 frugality blogs that can change your life. It was nice to see all the blogs that I love, along with mine, on the list! So, congrats again!
.-= Amiyrah´s last blog ..How cool is this?! =-.
I go in waves also. Something will trigger me to become very motivated, but after some time with seemingly little progress the motivation disappears and I slip up. For me having attainable goals to work towards helps immensely. In fact, since we just reached one of ours (buying a car), it's time to set another.
.-= Alison@This Wasn't In The Plan´s last blog ..Thoughts on Selling A Car =-.
For me staying motivated is hard(ly) easy.I read finance blogs.And try to suit some ideas to my life.If I slip up with my imaginary budget,I’m still tracking,I feel really bad for a day or two.Then I dust myself off and admit that I’m human.You can only take it a day at a time.We have a monthly goal each month.It’s a goal.It’s what I want.But it’s not the end of the world if I don’t make it.But for the months that I do make it,I have that cushion.
Great perspective Dena!