Have the winter doldrums already slowed down your New Year’s resolutions? Don’t sweat it, it happens to the best of us. Gray skies aside, the issue of sluggishness could have more to do with the goals you laid out and less so with what you may be labeling as sheer laziness on your part. To relight your fire, we’ve rounded up five simple ways to rediscover your motivation and momentum for the year ahead.
Dial It Back and Focus
It’s common to kick-off the year with big plans. But simply thinking you’ll save 1,000s of dollars by year end without an exact plan for how you’ll put it into action– well, that’s merely a nice thought. Experts agree it’s important to use the SMART acronym when setting both large and small goals, meaning they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. As you begin achieving even your smallest desires, it’ll quickly enhance your motivation to do more.
Tinker, Tweak, and Edit Away
Remember, the roadmap to your goal is always a work in progress. And if you put your initial plan on your computer, even better!, you can revisit, review and remold it as often as you’d like. The beauty of it is that it’s your plan. Rather than give up on something that’s just not working, instead keep it top of mind. Staying in touch often will encourage your progress. Keep rejiggering it until you reach your prize!
Discover Your “Why”
It’s a big question that requires considerate thought, time, and energy: What do you really want in life? What do you value most? We live in a world of instant gratification, which can make it hard to keep an eye on the bigger picture. But spending valuable free time thinking about your deepest desires will help boost your motivation to stay on track. This is especially true when impulse buys and other money-draining things try to lure you off the rails.
Be Your Biggest Fan
If we all stopped and actually listened to the awful way we speak to ourselves, we’d be shocked. As you would with a good friend, begin encouraging yourself and acknowledging your wins. Stop berating yourself for the things you didn’t do perfectly. We’re all human, and that means imperfect. Embrace your perfectly imperfect self and start cheering for yourself. It’ll definitely boost your mood and ability to move toward your goals.
Tap Into The Power of Visualization
No, it’s not just for professional athletes or eccentric business executives. Research shows visualization is an effective tool for anyone who is looking to obtain an important objective. Plus, it’s easy to do. Start by finding a quiet and comfortable place to sit, as you would for meditation. Next, begin to focus on what your life will look like and feel like once you’ve reached the end zone. This should definitely excite and motivate you as you tap into all of your senses and see yourself reaching an important aspiration.
Call a Member Specialist today at 800-422-5852 to find out how we can help you reach your financial goals.
