February is here, and that means many of us are losing steam when it comes to our New Year’s Resolutions.
While I’ve already accomplished some of my New Year’s Resolutions, I’m still lagging when it comes to others, like running regularly and eating better!
In fact, when I think about it, sticking to an exercise plan is very similar to sticking to a budget. They both take a significant amount of time, dedication, hard work, and accountability.
So, how can I stay motivated to run and at the same time, stay motivated to budget? Well, that’s easy. The same principles apply! Check out the motivators below:
Motivation: The Realization That It’s Good For You
I know that running is good for me. I have to stay in shape, I’m young, and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to run for a mile straight (so far, I can only run a half mile before I have to start walking!) Running keeps my blood pumping and my heart rate high, which is good for my long-term health.
Similarly, budgeting is also good for me. It helps me to keep my finances in tip top shape. When I budget, I know exactly how far I’ve come and how far I need to go to reach my goals. Budgeting keeps my money organized, which helps me to avoid late fees and frustrations down the road.
Motivation: You Can’t Let Your Friends & Family Down
I absolutely cannot motivate myself to go running by myself. I will definitely cut corners and stop before I’m supposed to. However, when I am meeting a friend or running with my husband, I know I have to go a certain speed and run for a certain amount of time.
Similarly, when you budget, friends and family are great motivators to keep you on track. Do you and your spouse want to save for a house? Budget together! Do you want to pay off your student loans so you can finally declare yourself debt free? Tell your friend about it, and ask her to check in on your progress. Start a blog, get a twitter account; it doesn’t matter how you do it. What’s important is that you find a way to announce your budgeting goals to the world, so you won’t want to let them down. That’s motivation enough!
Motivation: Visualize The Reward At The End of The Road
As I run and my legs start burning, I really, really don’t want to keep going. Yet, when I visualize how I’ll look when I’m in tip top shape, it makes me what to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know that nothing worthwhile comes easy, and I know that being in great shape won’t just fall out of the sky. I have to keep working, and that means remembering where I’ll be at the end of the road.
Similarly, I know there’s nothing enjoyable about eating in when you really want to go out. I know it’s hard to pass on the Starbucks coffee or that cute pair of shoes. Budgeting can really take the fun out of day-to-day life, but once you get the hang of it and start getting financially secure, it’s actually so much better than anything you could ever buy for yourself.
So remember, it’s all about the end goal (not the journey) when it comes to budgeting and running! I hope that the motivational techniques listed here can help you to have a happy and healthy 2013.
What are some ways that you stay motivated?
If I set a goal I am motivated to accomplish it. I usually monitor my progress and adjust my efforts daily/weekly/monthly. This usually keeps me motivated.