Motivational Monday: Pay yourself to succeed

One of my favorites from the Rock

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but the advice dispensed here has been researched or is something that has worked for me in the past.  Proceed at your own risk...

I'm starting something new here on the blog.  It's called Motivational Monday.   Most of us probably made a New Year's resolution last week.  We're four days into 2016 and you may have already fallen off the wagon.  If you have, don't fret.  Here's an idea from the team at Cleveland Clinic:  Pay yourself to succeed.  

Here's how it works.  Set your goal.  For example if you want to work out more, come up with a schedule to go to the gym or to just work out.  When you work toward that goal, put some money into a jar with the intent on spending it on an expensive item you wouldn't normally buy yourself.  Maybe you have your eye on a new iPhone or a GoPro or a vacation. 

Here's the important part, don't spend the money until you've reached the cost of the "prize."  Determine how much you can afford to throw into the jar according to your budget.  The idea is for this to take more than a few weeks to achieve.  If you miss a day of working out, it's no big deal.  Get back on track and continue to drop that money in the jar.

You can come up with a similar plan if your intention is to quit smoking.  When you make it through a day without lighting up, put in the amount equivalent to what you spend on cigarettes each day.  Or if you want to stop eating fast food, put the cash in when you don't go through a drive thru.  Your money is still being spent, but you're rewarding yourself and changing a habit at the same time.

Day 2 of working out
Gold's Gym, Marion

Experts say it takes about 63 days to change a behavior, so don't expect rock hard abs on January 30 or to have lost 30 pounds by the end of the month.  Remember, you can do it. Share your tips here.  Good luck and Happy New Year.