Let’s face it: staying motivated is tough, especially when there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
This struggle is real for all big goals, whether you’re working on your financial plan or physical fitness. We usually have a clear idea of where we want to end up, but the journey there is the hard part. We might know how much we want to save or what kind of financial security we’re after. If we had a magic wand, we’d use it in a heartbeat. But achieving success means being willing to do hard things and stay committed—even in the dark.
The Slow Start to Progress
Think about physical fitness. If you’ve recently restarted a workout routine, you know that results don’t appear overnight. I’ve heard people say it takes 4 weeks to notice changes yourself, 8 weeks for those close to you to notice, 12 weeks for friends, and 16 weeks for everyone else. Those first few weeks can feel like an uphill battle—sore muscles, exhaustion, and doubt about why you started in the first place. But if you stick with it, the rewards will come.
Financial planning is much the same. Getting your finances in order—whether for a major savings goal or just setting up a budget—requires sacrifice, consistency, and a certain comfort with delayed results. In fact, depending on market conditions, you might see your investments dip before they grow! But stay the course, and the results will come. Even if the journey feels dark, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel—and it’s not an oncoming train.
When Your Investment Isn’t Growing
I talked with a new investor who was disappointed by his account performance. He started contributing $100 per month into a Roth IRA, investing in a large-cap stock mutual fund. The market had performed well during his first year. He contributed $1,200, but his balance was only $1,245.
The fund’s return was 8%, but he hadn’t seen the growth he expected. What he overlooked was that starting with zero and contributing monthly meant he wasn’t positioned to capture the full return. In the early stages, this minimal progress can be discouraging.
The next year, markets rose again. This time, his $1,245 was fully invested from day one. With dividends reinvested and additional shares accumulated, his growth began to compound. By staying motivated despite his dissapointment, he is now in it for the long-term.
Staying Motivated With Setbacks
Another investor I worked with faced a different challenge. Despite being in his early 40s with a high income, he was quite risk-averse. After hearing horror stories about stock market losses, he was hesitant. He had $50,000 in a savings account earning almost no interest, and he wanted a long-term investment strategy. I recommended a balanced portfolio with moderate risk.
Shortly after he invested, the market corrected, and his balance dropped to $47,250 by year-end. Seeing a 5% decline, he questioned whether he’d made the right choice. I encouraged him to stay the course, explaining that a single year isn’t enough time for investments to grow. The following year, his balance rose by 10%, ending at $52,250. That experience taught him a valuable lesson about staying motivated in the face of setbacks.
When Your Goals Seems Out of Reach
I once signed up for the Spartan Beast, a 12 to 14 mile obstacle race designed to test mental and physical endurance. Shortly after registering, I received challenging workout recommendations, which made me question whether I’d make it through. That feeling reminded me of when my wife and I started saving for our child’s education. The projected costs were overwhelming, and the goal felt impossible.
But we realized we didn’t need to fund the entire goal immediately. We could start small, build momentum, and focus on progress over time. Instead of giving in to our doubts, we stayed committed, and today we’re steadily moving toward our goal.
If You’re Struggling With Motivation
Staying motivated with your financial plan often means building good habits. This concept applies to many areas of life, not just finances. I read Atomic Habits by James Clear while doing the 75 Hard fitness challenge in 2024. The book’s message—that small habits can lead to significant changes—resonated with me and can be powerful for anyone working toward a major goal.
Success Comes to Those Who Persist
Whether you’re pursuing financial goals or physical fitness, success requires a commitment to keep going, even when results seem nonexistent. The tunnel may be long and dark, but persistence pays off. Eventually, that small light in the distance will grow, and you’ll achieve the success you’ve worked so hard for.
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