Achieving your goals is seldom easy. Knowing how to stay motivated is so incredibly important when it comes to getting what you want in the long term. Whether it be from your health, wealth or life in general. We’re faced with more distractions than ever before, from non-stop web access to constant messaging on your phone, it can be really hard to stay focussed and not just give in to what's easiest.
Here are 6 ways to help you stay motivated and on track to reaching your goals.
- Make sure you really want it
Health: If you’re working towards that summer body just because everyone is doing it, you’re probably not going to last very long. Make sure the goals you set for yourself are yours, that way you’re more likely to stay motivated and see them through.
Wealth: Are you saving just for the sake of saving? This is definitely not a bad thing! If you are saving towards buying a house or a new lounge suite, you are so much more likely to stay motivated to reach that goal. Perhaps you’ll even reach your goal faster because you know exactly what you are working towards.
- Break down goals into smaller pieces
Health: So you want to be fit. That is a great goal to have, but it might be hard to get to that stage because it is a vague statement. If you break the goals down into smaller parts, it will be easier to stay motivated as you reach them along the way. So set yourself the goal of completing a 5km fun run in under 40 minutes, and then move onto the bigger things until you ultimately reach your fitness goals.
Wealth: Let’s take the simple example that you want to save R10 000. Pretty simple right? Well, if you tackle the lump sum all at once, the wind might be taken out of your sails when you are not reaching those goals as fast as you were hoping to. Breaking that total into smaller parts will not only set you up to reach some goals more often, but it will also bring the satisfaction and motivation you need to keep pushing towards that R10 000.
- Surround yourself with motivators
Health: Let’s face it, eating healthily is sometimes harder than it seems, and when you have to do it on your own it can be even harder. Get yourself a buddy or a group, who shares the same goals as you, and do it together. Or if you’ve got the healthy diet down already and want to start being more active, rope a friend or family member or join a walking club to keep you motivated.
Wealth: Finances is a complicated facet of our lives. If you don’t have the knack for it, it can be hard to make decisions that could impact your well-being in the long run. Perhaps you have a family member or friend that works in the industry that could give you some tips. Otherwise it is a good idea to speak to a professional about the financial goals you would like to achieve. They will be able to assist and provide guidance on the best way to reach them. And if these choices start paying off, you’re all aboard the motivation train!
- Don’t worry about what you can’t control
Health: When it comes to your health, you have to listen to your body. So, you’ve been going strong with the exercise for a few weeks straight and suddenly the flu hits. Don’t beat yourself up about these types of things that you can’t control. Take a break, give your body time to reset and then slowly get back into your routine.
Wealth: Sometime life throws you a curveball. You’ve been saving up to go on a well-deserved holiday and suddenly the fridge packs up or the smoke clouds are billowing out of the hood of your car. Don’t worry about delaying your holiday after having to fork out some cash for these unforeseen events. Adjust your goal and timeline and then just keep at it.
- Identify the reasons why you are doing it
Health & Wealth: This point ties in with number 1. Knowing what you want to achieve and why you want to achieve it can be a major motivator when you’re struggling to keep working towards your goals. If you can determine exactly why you want to start living healthily or what you are saving toward, you’re well on your way to reaching those goals.
6. Get going
Health: Just do it. Don’t wait until next week or next month. Get out there and start working towards your goal one day at a time. You’ll feel great after completing each workout or after preparing a healthy meal for your family and in turn you’ll be motivated to do even more.
Wealth: If you keep telling yourself that you’ll start saving next month, or you’re just waiting for your Christmas bonus to come in, you’re just delaying the inevitable. Start saving or investing today, even if is a mere R50; getting started is the first step to being your own champion motivator.
Read our blog for more tips and habits on how to be successful and small changes that could result in big savings to get yourself motivated and on track to having a successful year!
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