Last week, I asked what your motivation is for making extra money each month. It could be paying off debt, saving for something special such as a vacation or a new boat, or it could be because you have no choice and are simply trying to make ends meet in this tough economy. Survival is a big motivator. I know since there was a time that I was working 3 jobs to help keep food on the table and a roof over our heads.
For me, it seemed easy to stay motivated if there was an end in sight such as graduating with a degree. You realize that there is a specific set of tasks to accomplish within a set time frame along with an order to the classes. However, when working on making extra income by building a business, there is no set outline. There are many different ways to accomplish the same end, so how do you know which path to take?
The title of this post is asking a question that I find difficult to answer at times, and this is one of those times. Maybe it is because I have been working a lot recently such as the week that I put in 75 hours in May. Or maybe it is because I feel like I am taking two steps forward and two (or even three) steps back. I have been working to pay off debt, yet the truck needs new tires.
So maybe I am asking you specifically how do you stay motivated so that you can share. For me, I am only capable of moving forward one step at a time currently. I will admit that having a few days away has been nice, but has caused me to question if I am working too hard with little to show for it. I am sure it is just a temporary phase and that I will step out of this funk. I have been here before, but it does get annoying.
So help me out. What do you do when you start to get that inevitable burned out feeling?
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- Finding Motivation When Reducing Debt Gets Difficult (debtreliefarizona.org)
I think celebrating milestones helps. Last month, I was feeling the way you are now. This month, I passed a milestone and all of a sudden I have more energy. So celebrate every thousand dollars, every five thousand dollars, whatever, that you pay down. And by celebrate, I mean, really, brag to someone, get excited, because every dollar gets you closer.
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I certainly plan on doing a little something when I get the Discover Card paid off sometime this year. I will make sure and brag about it on the blog also.
Hi Grand,
The thing that keeps me going as things become overwhelming is looking at the fact that life DOES get in the way of all we do. Granted, it sometimes seems that others are moving ahead a lot more easily but we need to remember that we don’t live with them and really have no idea what goes on behind their closed doors. And I’ve also found that usually the ones who put on the best face to all usually have the most difficulty that no one usually sees.
Take heart that you are doing all you can and that’s all anyone can expect from themselves and others. Hang in there and hope you have shorter weeks ahead.
Mary
I am sure that it will seem easier because I have noticed that life tends to ebb and flow like that. It may just be a difficult period for now with all the activities that have been happening. Let’s see how June and July work out.
There are times I move forward because I know that if I stop, I’ll lose the little that I’ve gained. Sort of like Zig Ziggler’s water pump analogy.
I know for a fact roots are growing and getting stronger beneath the surface while all I see is the same old dirt. It gets discouraging looking at the dirt day in and day out, but I know something will break ground because I continue to water, fertilize and the sun (in my case the Son) takes care of the rest.
I’m feeling your pain right about now because I’m working on a venture that seems to have gone stale. I know it hasn’t, but it sure would be nice to see a bit of progress. In the meanwhile, I’ll continue to do what needs to be done.
Oh, and as far as tires for the truck, I discovered 3 days ago that cars have two annoying little sensors. When these sensors go bad, the car stalls. There’s nothing you can do but have the vehicle towed and pay the mechanic hundreds of dollars to replace the inconveniently located sensors. Vehicles know the most inopportune time to conk out on you.
All that being said, you’re a trooper going through a momentary slump. While you’re slumping the powers that be are working. Your slump is temporary, but you already know that.
Hang in there.
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Thanks for your words. Gotta hate the modern sensors on cars and all the other electronics. Back in the day, you could fix your car with duct tape and be fine. Hang in there yourself and I will do the same.