Every. Single. Year. You and I have a chance for a new start, a fresh beginning. In fact, according to Zig Ziglar, yesterday really ended last night, and today is a NEW day! We can say the same in a MUCH bigger way as we end 2019 and begin 2020.
But what can you do to continually improve yourself and actually make it happen?
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Even if you don’t make resolutions each New Year or set goals throughout the year, you probably still have a desire to improve yourself. We all want to be a better __________. Or be _______er. Or more________. You fill in the blanks.
I want to be a better mom. A better wife. A better employee. Healthier. Wealthier. More generous. More outgoing. You name it.
Whether or not we say it out loud, there is something about ourselves we would like to improve.
We may even want to improve by focusing on less of something. Less stress. Less chaos. Less clutter.
What is this area of improvement for you?
“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” —Zig Ziglar
Rather than just occasionally thinking about this area of improvement, or wishing it would just happen, why not make an attempt at improving yourself? Decide that it is a problem to be solved and work on it!
Here are the four simple steps to continually improve yourself. I’ve included an example of a financial improvement, but you can use this process in any area of life!
1) Write it down!
What was that one thing you wanted more of, less of, or wanted to be better at? Is there a certain area of life that the Lord is leading you work on or be more mindful of?
The action of writing that thing down makes it real and makes you much more likely to achieve it! You can start by writing something like, “I want to be healthier.” Or ,”I want to be a better mom.” But then you need to get specific about what that actually looks like.
Example: I want to have better financial control and start telling my money where to go rather than wondering where it went. I can have better financial control by paying down debt.
2) Break it down into small action steps.
These small actions will actually get you on your way to accomplishing it. Be clear about your starting point and your end point.
Example: My household doesn’t currently operate on a budget. I need to create a budget so I know my numbers. I need to know exactly what I earn and what I spend. I plan to use cash envelopes for things like groceries, eating out, clothing, and shopping trips so I can stay within budget. Also, my spouse and I need to have regular meetings regarding our money. Any “extra” money we make needs to have a specific place to go—most likely to debt payoff, or to savings.
3) Find and keep your motivation.
Knowing the “why” behind your goal can be a huge motivator. Ask yourself why you want that. Then ask why you want that, and continue asking the same question to each answer about 3 to 5 times 😉 That last one is your real “why.”
If your why isn’t big enough or motivating enough, you may need to go back to step 1 and come up with a different resolution or area of improvement.
Another motivator can be visual, like a vision board. You can also learn and be encouraged from the stories of others who are winning in the same area of life. Those stories serve as a major inspiration! If they can do it, so can you! 
Example: Create a vision board using words and pictures to depict what you are wanting to achieve financially. It keeps your “why” front and center and will remind you of your focus as you make daily financial decisions.
Listen to encouraging podcasts about money management like The Dave Ramsey Show. Read books giving you stories and inspiration about other individuals winning with money.
Need some motivation to stick to your budget? Here are some ideas to keep going strong when budgeting gets tough!
Paper visuals that make routine tasks more fun can be helpful as well! Grab some free, fun, and totally practical Bill Trackers (and other printables) by signing up for the email list here!
4) Find a good support or accountability group and/or partner .
If you have a friend or acquaintance who has the same areas of life they’re working on as you, someone who “gets” you and your goals, that is by far the best support and accountability!
But if not, Facebook groups are great for building online relationships and keeping you accountable to your daily decisions to improve yourself. I have a few online accountability partners that do so much to motivate, encourage me, and keep me going! Just search for a group in an area you’re interested in, and you’re bound to find one! Or you can always start your own!!
Example: For sticking to Dave Ramsey’s plan of getting out of debt and becoming financially free, there are many groups to join just by searching “Dave Ramsey,” You can pick one or two that interest you the most or that seem the most active, and go with it. You can also find multiple “budgeting” groups and of course, join our private Money Savvy Moms community on Facebook. 😉 We tackle way more areas of life than just financial improvements!
All in all, completing those four simple steps will actually allow you to improve yourself in ways you may have never thought possible!
Whatever you do, don’t give up on yourself! Write down what you want to improve, then break it down into smaller action steps, being sure to make a clear starting point and end point.
Focusing on your “why”, you can keep your motivation going by getting creative and finding ways to make things more fun along the way. A great accountability partner or group can work wonders as well!
Be sure to let me know what areas of life you plan to improve this year and if I can help in any way! Email me at pennystewardmama@gmail.com and check out the Penny Steward Mama fan page on Facebook!
As always, steward your money — and your life — intentionally!
Heather
