7 Ways to Stay Motivated to Improve Your Finances

Have you ever found yourself feeling naturally inspired to check your bank account, rework your budget, pay a bill, call for that refund, or deposit money into your account? But then noticed how quickly the motivation fades?

That’s normal– financial motivation comes in fits and starts. So when it feels easy, make the most of it!

But, as we all know, it doesn’t always feel easy. Here are some ways to keep yourself motivated when the going gets tough:

1. Make a commitment to yourself.
2. The first step to making changes to your financial life is to know what you want to do. Consider your goals. Write a commitment down on a notecard and put it somewhere you will see it every day. The note on my bathroom mirror reads: I am committed to changing my relationship to money to one that feels abundant and empowered.
3. Schedule some Money Minutes:
4. Look to see where you have room in your existing schedule, and set a regular alarm for yourself to sit down for some Money Minutes. Set aside some time to think about your finances, even just journaling about your relationship to money or the ways that an abundant mindset around money might change your life. You could try 10 minutes a day, 30 minutes twice a week, an hour on Sundays– whatever feels easy to fit into your schedule.
5. Make your money time fun:
6. Sometimes, just the anticipation of facing my finances can feel stressful. When I know I’m going to take some time to focus on my money, I love to make myself a creamy cup of coffee and put on a song I like. We all know how to set the mood.  Like any act of self-care, taking control of your financial future should feel good.
7. Just begin:
8. Often the hardest part of going for a run is putting on your sneakers and stepping outside. Start with a small goal, like just signing into your online bank account, or reviewing the monthly subscriptions that are billed to your credit card. Once you get started, you’re welcome (and likely!) to do more, but give yourself a small, achievable goal that you’re committed to completing.
9. Celebrate yourself:
10. You’re doing it! Every minute you devote toward this goal is a minute invested in yourself. You are one step closer to feeling freedom within your finances. You’re awesome! Make sure to congratulate yourself. Even if the goal you set is just to sign in, give yourself a little cheer for doing it. It might feel silly at first, but it feels good to acknowledge (out loud!) the ways in which you are fighting for your financial abundance and joy.
11. Be forgiving:
12. If you don’t follow through on a scheduled money action or complete your goal, let yourself off the hook. If you do just one small thing to improve your financial relationship, acknowledge the work you have done and thank yourself for making yourself a priority. If you don’t, that’s ok! Some days, we just don’t have it in us. There’s always tomorrow (or later today!).  
13. Find an accountability partner:
14. Sometimes it’s just easier to do something that scares you if someone else does it with you. Think walking up to your crush at the middle school dance. My BFF was always by my side in her matching puka shell necklace and butterfly clips. Find a friend who wants to make a change in their financial life, and decide to start together.
15. You could sign up for the Million Dollar Year together so you have an accountability partner (or sign up by yourself and we'll match you with one in the program)! Commit to changing your lives together. Keep yourselves on track together. Celebrate each other’s financial wins and root each other on through the dips in motivation.
16. The only thing standing between you and a future of financial freedom is yourself. It’s just a few steps away from where you are now.
17. Imagine how it would feel to be even one step closer. You could give yourself your first of many little cheers!