When you begin your journey toward financial health, sometimes you will get off course. Remember not to beat yourself up if you do, instead, sharpen your focus, steel your resolve to do much better from now on, and keep on moving forward.

Okay, that's good advice, but is it realistic? Bad thoughts can creep up on your mind, making it seem more difficult to move forward. Maybe you are tired of living on a tight budget, working hard all the time and having to say no to the kids. Of course you are going to feel blue occasionally. What can you do about that? Follow these tips to strengthen your motivation and ensure your mental health.

• Always celebrate every get-out-of-debt success. At least, take time to acknowledge what you have achieved. Perhaps you got a creditor to agree to a better rate of interest or you've just landed an easy part-time job that will allow you to pay off high-interest debts quickly. Celebrating your success, no matter how insignificant it is, can help motivate and propel you to keep moving toward your goals.



• Be grateful. Draw strength from all wonderful things in your life. Volunteering during weekend (maybe at a homeless shelter or food bank) is a perfect way to get rid of those "poor me" thoughts and to keep your current situation in perspective.


• Always accept what you can't change. Frequently, your financial setbacks are the result of a few uncontrollable events (maybe you had an awful accident that landed you for weeks in the hospital or you lost your main job in recent economic recession), railing against your misfortune is a waste of time. Acknowledge what had happened and move forward.


• Find peace through meditation or prayer. Whether it's a synagogue or church, your house, or a quiet beach, find a calm place where you can refill your spiritual energy on a regular basis. Use meditation or prayer to detach yourself from the negative thoughts going on in your mind. Tell yourself continuously, "All this will pass." And trust me it will, eventually.