My co-worker noticing I was eating the same breakfast said, “You’re eating gobbly-gook (her nickname for congee) again?” My answer: “Routine breeds results”. She thought that was inspired.

Building a routine is not easy but it is the most effective way to achieve consistent results. This is applicable when it comes to your money, health, or fitness.

Let’s talk money

Auto-save, automatic withdrawals…automate, automate, automate. Most personal finance experts will advise you to take your brain out of your money for consistent, long-term results.

At work, if you have a retirement account made available to you, sign up for a certain amount or percentage to come out with every check. Investing is great for working toward long-term savings (money you won’t need for ten years or more). If you manage or want to manage your own IRA (individual retirement account), schedule recurring deposits to that account so it goes the same day you get paid. And yes, invest despite the fears you might be currently experiencing about COVID-19’s impact on the market.

To build up your short-term savings, if you have direct deposit, send a portion to a savings account you won’t go touching all willy-nilly.

It does not matter which approach you start with. Make a decision today as to how much you are willing to put aside and start doing it!

Let’s talk health and fitness

How does having a routine help if you want to lose weight? Meal prep! You do not have to eat the same thing every day but having some regularity increases the odds of your success. If you find that what you’re doing isn’t working based on the fact that you’re either gaining weight or maintaining, then you can choose which element you want to remove that will bring you closer to your goal.

Also, working out regularly can help you to reach your goals faster. Make your goals achievable by working out 2-3 days a week doing an activity you enjoy. Don’t pick an activity simply because other people say will be perfect for you. You are not likely to keep doing it. Decide based on the activities you already enjoy. Take walks, run, dance, swim, take a fitness class, work out in a gym, work out at home…whatever you do, just make sure it gets your heart pumping.

Let’s go to the doctor

Routine doctor’s visits for health screenings are important in catching issues early. It also means, for most, better long-term health. While there are costs associated with seeing your doctor routinely (for most healthy people, this is about once a year), the costs of not managing your health effectively can be astronomical. When you’re basically healthy, you pay to see your primary care physician (PCP) and MAYBE your medication. When you wait until your body can no longer take it, you tend to add emergency room (ER) visits, specialists, and higher doses of different medication in maintaining your health.

Whatever step you decide to take first, know that it is your decision to make. Instead of just creating amazing goals, map the small steps it will take to get there. Getting to your savings goal may mean starting by putting $10 aside every paycheck. Losing weight may start with just meal-prepping your breakfast. Having a healthier year may start with making an appointment for a routine checkup.

Your turn. What goal(s) do you want to work on? What are some issues that worry you in your journey to accomplishing your goal(s)? Share in the comment section.

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