How to Plan, Budget, & Stay Movitvated

PLANNING

Now that you have decided to follow your dreams, what's next? Planning, budgeting, and staying motivated are vital keys to being successful. First, you want to start off with a plan. Make a list of things that you need to do or accomplish by a certain month. Take a look at my sample "business plan" below. The plan starts from the current month. For example, I wrote this plan in June. Therefore, the 1-3 month category starts in July and ends in September.

The Natural Queen Website Business plan

1-3 Months: Come up with a design you want the website to look like

4-5 Months: Come up with ways to market yourself (social media and ads). Look up the legal items that goes with starting a website business

6 Months: Come up with ideas of content and research issues that naturals encounter.

7 Months: Publish!

8-12 Months: Use YouTube as a platform for subscribers

Not everyone will want to use this layout, and that's OK! Set up a time-frame, that's what worked for me. I wanted to have my website up in seven months, but I gave my total plan a year in case I needed wiggle room (because I started college). I realize that you will be excited, you have every right to be. But try not to rush everything. Following a dream requires drive, but it also requires patience. Give your plan the necessary time to be the very best. Also, while planning, make sure to look into the legal items surrounding your business or dream. You just want to achieve goals, not get sued!

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BUDGETING

The next point to keep in mind is your budget. Budgeting is easier said then done. You need to set your budget in a way that will benefit you without taking away everything you like to do or get. To start, make a bank account specifically for that goal. Saving is so so so important. But don't go overboard with saving. You still need money for food, school, and a few splurges every now and then. When I was working at Old Navy, I saved 50% of my entire paycheck every time I got paid. At one point I had $1300 saved. If you have other things to pay for such as rent, maybe save 30% of your paycheck instead of 50%. My goal is to get a job this summer. With that job I plan to save for school and a car. My plan is to open a separate account for my car. Below is a breakdown of how I will save my money this summer.

TNQ's Summer Saving Plan

60%- School

30%- Car

10%- Extra spending

If you want to knock down your spending here are a few of my frugal girl tips:

1. Do you really need to eat out? Make your lunch or dinner instead of going out often.

2. Put the shirt back. Shopping isn't bad, but over-shopping is. Give yourself a limit to how many times a month you can go shopping and how much you can spend.

3. Maybe this isn't the year to go on vacation. Don't feel obligated to go on a trip. This could set you back with your saving. Just think, going on vacation can be one of your goals after you accomplish your current goal.

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STAYING MOTIVATED

I know from experience that staying motivated is easier said then done. Whether that motivation is with school, work, or your dream, it is not an easy task. You want to see the end result. There will be times that you want to give up. There will be times when you question why are you giving so much time to this dream. But there will also be times when you see positive results. There will be a time when people are congratulating you on a job well done. There will be times when you look back on your struggle and feel glad that you stuck it out and accomplished everything you wanted. But in this moment while you are discouraged, how can you become motivate?

A. Look at people in the field you wish to explore. Seeing and hearing other people's success stories can influence you to create a story of your own.

B. Talk to a mentor, adviser, or someone who is a good listener. Hearing good and meaningful advice will bring you out of your doubt.

C. Think about what made you love this goal. Why did you have the motivation in the first place? Thinking about your first ideas will make you want to hold onto your dream.

Never, ever give up. You don't want to look back on your life and wish you had done something differently. Work hard and in the end, you will be glad that you kept pushing towards your goal.

I hope you all liked The Goals Series. Continue to believe in yourself and work for your dreams. Best wishes!

~The Natural Queen