Money is essential for our survival, but sometimes it can seem hard to stay motivated to make more. Making money requires dedication and a lot of hard work, but with the right mindset and some self-discipline, it’s possible.
We’ll explore why making money is important and how we can stay motivated in the face of adversity. We’ll look at different strategies for staying motivated and driven, so you have all the knowledge you need to grow your money in your life.
How do I motivate myself to make money?
1. Set milestones for yourself
Goals are often talked about as the primary motivation for achieving something. But the problem is that goals can feel far away, which makes it hard to stay motivated by them.
So, instead of focusing on goal setting, try to focus on milestones. These are smaller, intermediate goals that you can set for yourself as you work towards a larger goal. Milestones help give you motivation and make it easier to stay focused on the task at hand.
You can incentivize yourself with rewards for reaching milestones, such as taking an afternoon off or planning a fun night out (or in) with your family. Since milestones will happen frequently along your entrepreneurial path, celebrating them will create a good work/life balance.
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2. Make money doing the things you love
This is easier said than done, but can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. If you don’t believe in the work you currently do, it will continue to be an uphill battle as the days, weeks, and months roll by.
You don’t need to be 100% passionate about what you do in order to make money. However, it can help a lot if you find something that interests and excites you. Try to identify at least one element of your work that is interesting to you.
Do you love it when customers are satisfied? Or do you like crunching numbers? You can use these elements to stay motivated as you work on your money-motivation goals.
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3. Check in with yourself regularly
It’s easy to feel discouraged when progress is slow or nonexistent, so it’s important to acknowledge even the small tasks you complete.
Embracing a method like the Pomodoro technique is a great way to stay focused while regularly taking mini-breaks for you to check in with your energy.
During a check-in, ask yourself simple questions, such as do I need to stretch or have a glass of water? We don’t often associate these small needs with our motivation for making money, but they can make a big difference.
4. Develop a positive relationship with money
One reason people struggle with staying motivated to make money is because of the negative associations they have with it. If you find yourself frequently frustrated and anxious about money, this could be playing a role in how motivated you are to earn more.
You may say things like, “Making money is hard”, or, “No matter how much I make, it’s never enough”. It can be helpful to start reframing this narrative.
Instead of these negative statements, train your mind for money by saying things like, “Making money can be fun” or, “I am expanding my financial opportunities”.
Changing our beliefs about money takes a bit of time, so consistency is key for this shift to occur.
5. Remind yourself of the bigger picture
When we think about making money, it can often feel like a lot of work for something that’s far away. In order to stay motivated, try to take a step back and remind yourself why you are doing this in the first place. Like steps in achieving financial freedom.
Do you have big dreams of financial freedom? Are you doing this for your family or to be able to take a trip around the world? Knowing what your motivation is will help you stay focused on the bigger picture and help keep you from giving up.
6. Take ownership of your career path
When it comes to making money, many people feel like they’re reactionarily doing what’s handed to them. Instead, try to take a proactive stance and create the career path that you want.
Whether it’s taking on a side hustle, networking with industry professionals, or attending workshops in your field of interest, there are plenty of ways to make progress towards your money motivation goals.
7. Get super clear on your money goals
One of the most important factors of money motivation is setting clear systems and expectations into place. It’s easy to get discouraged if you can’t see your progress or if the goal feels too far away.
In order to stay motivated and make steady headway, break down your money goals into smaller achievable steps. How much do you want to save by the end of this month? What kind of salary increase would you like in five years?
Brainstorming these ideas in a simple document can help keep you motivated and on track. It will also help if you will be able to listen to the best personal finance podcast.
8. Review your progress regularly
If you’re having trouble staying motivated, try creating a simple progress-tracking system. This can help you stay on top of your goals and highlight any areas you may need to focus more on.
Check-in with yourself weekly or monthly and review what’s working and what isn’t. You could also review your money-making progress quarterly or annually for a bigger-picture view of your habits.
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9. Be willing to pivot
When things don’t go our way, it can be tempting to give up. However, know that sometimes making a change or pivot is exactly what’s needed in order to reach your goals.
If you’ve been stuck in a money-making rut for some time now and your motivation is waning, consider how you could switch things up. Sometimes, just making one change in how you approach money can have a big impact on your motivation.
10. Surround yourself with positive influences
We are social creatures, and our environment can have a significant impact on our motivation levels. When it comes to making money, surrounding yourself with people who are positive and uplifting about their financial success can really help.
Try joining a mastermind group or attending a workshop related to your goals. Connecting with like-minded people can help you stay more motivated in the long run.
If you don’t want to talk with people directly, you can also follow thought-leaders on social media or YouTube and start watching money documentaries on Netflix. Over time, exposure to positive influences can help you shift your mindset and stay motivated.
11. Find a mentor
If you want to take a step even deeper into the social aspect of money motivation, it may be a good idea to find a mentor. Having an experienced person you can turn to for advice and guidance can be incredibly helpful in staying motivated.
Your mentor could also introduce you to other professionals or resources that can help you along your journey toward financial success.
Just keep in mind that it’s also important to support your mentor in return. This could involve offering up your own knowledge or resources, or attending their workshops and events in solidarity.
12. Spend less money
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of cash flow you need to maintain to achieve your money motivation goals, take a step back and review your spending.
Oftentimes, cutting back on unnecessary expenses can be incredibly liberating, as it helps you to better manage your cash flow without feeling like you’re compromising all the time.
This doesn’t have to mean decreasing the quality of your life. There are plenty of ways you can get the same value out of activities at a lower cost, including dining during happy hours or discounts, shopping around for better deals, and looking out for free experiences.
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13. Start a new side hustle
Diversification is one of the best ways to have a stable and reliable income stream. It’s also good for money motivation because it allows you to explore different ways of making money and to become more creative with your money-making endeavors.
Starting a side hustle can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of low-risk options available that don’t require much investment or effort.
Consider starting a blog, freelance writing, driving for Uber/Lyft, tutoring, or selling crafts online.
14. Learn as much as you can
The more you know about money, the better decisions you can make with it. Take some time to read books about personal finance and investing, or watch YouTube videos from experts in the field.
Also, consider taking a class related to making money. There are tons of online courses that can teach you everything from budgeting basics to stock trading. You can even learn about cryptocurrency and Blockchain technology if you’re feeling adventurous.
The more knowledge you acquire, the better equipped and motivated you’ll be to make money.
15. Take time off
Your energy is like a fuel tank. If you don’t give yourself regular breaks, you’ll eventually run out of gas.
Taking time off to relax and recharge is essential for keeping your motivation levels high. That could mean spending the day at the beach, going for a hike in nature, or just taking a long nap.
Allowing yourself to be bored and do nothing is also an underrated way to recharge the entrepreneurial spirit. Linger a bit longer in bed or in the shower, or take a longer time to make and eat your meals.
This allows you to savor the simple moments and reset your perspective on life, which can help you stay motivated to make more money in the long run.
16. Find an accountability partner
If you’d prefer a more laid-back motivation partner instead of a mentor, think about finding an accountability partner. This could be a friend, family member, or colleague who you trust and feel comfortable talking to about your money goals.
Decide on a regular interval for check-ins, such as once a week or month. During each of these meetings, you can discuss how things are going, provide feedback and support to each other, and hold each other accountable for taking action on your financial goals.
17. Practice gratitude
You can also boost your money motivation by focusing on what you already have. Practicing gratitude shifts your perspective and helps remind you of the abundance that already exists in your life.
It’s easy to become caught up in our own struggles, but making it a habit to appreciate the things we do have is often enough to bring back an optimistic outlook that can help motivate us to take action.
Take a few moments each day to meditate and acknowledge your successes, no matter how small they may seem. This will give you the boost of positivity you need to make money with determination and enthusiasm.
18. Create an inspiring environment
Your environment can have a huge impact on your money motivation. Consider creating a space that is conducive to productivity and inspiration.
If you work from home, make sure you have an ergonomic workspace with all the necessary equipment. Decorate it with items that bring in positive vibes, like plants or artwork. You can also add calming scents, like essential oil diffusers or candles.
Creating a space that you look forward to working in can help motivate you to achieve your money goals.
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19. Be willing to ask for help
We can achieve almost anything we want to in life, but we probably can’t get there alone. This fact can be hard for some of us to accept, but it’s true.
If you need help achieving your money goals, don’t hesitate to ask for it. You may need a question answered by someone more knowledgeable than you in your field, or you may need financial assistance from a loved one.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. You’ll likely find that people are more than willing to lend a helping hand if you show them that you’re serious about making money.
What to do if I’ve lost motivation to make money
The first thing you should do if you’ve lost motivation for making money is to say to yourself, “this is perfectly normal and happens to all ambitious people at some point in time”. Accepting the fact that you’ll have moments of doubt is essential for getting back on track.
Next, it’s time to take action. Taking action is the only way to get out of a funk and move forward with your goals.
Start by reflecting on why you wanted to make money in the first place – what was your original intention? Reminding yourself of the motivations that initially drove you can help re-ignite your passion and enthusiasm.
Finally, focusing on your beliefs and values is essential for maintaining your money motivation.
It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of wealth, but it’s important to stay grounded and remember what is truly important to you. Consider writing down your core beliefs and use them as a guiding light when times are tough.
Above all else, be kind to yourself when your motivation is waning. There’s usually a reason why we lose motivation, and it’s important to take the time to identify and address any underlying issues.
With a little self-care and perseverance, you’ll be back on track in no time!