Mastering Self-Motivation: A Guide to Success in your Online Bookkeeping Studies

Many courses (including bookkeeping and accounting) are studied online these days and we know first-hand how challenging this can be!

On the ‘plus’ side, individuals embarking on an accounting apprenticeship or distance learning programme in accounting or bookkeeping can be a transformative experience, opening doors to a fulfilling career in finance. However, studying online requires a unique set of skills, particularly when it comes to self-motivation.

Distractions, lack of structure, and a sense of isolation can sometimes hinder progress and success – as experienced distance learning tutors, we’ve seen it all in terms of the ‘reasons’ why satisfactory progress has not been achieved. Here we explore some effective strategies to help individuals maintain their self-motivation and excel in their online accounting/bookkeeping studies.

1. Set Clear and Achievable Goals for Success in your Bookkeeping Studies

The journey to becoming a proficient bookkeeper may seem long and arduous at times, but setting clear and achievable goals can keep you focused and motivated. Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable milestones that you can celebrate upon reaching. These milestones could be completing a specific learning session, mastering a particular concept, or passing an online test. Tracking your progress will provide a sense of accomplishment and encourage you to keep pushing forward.

Our online element of The Balancing Act Bookkeeping course is located on Moodle (virtual learning environment), where individuals can tick off each element of the course as they go along – keeping a visual track of your progress is hugely motivating!

2. Create a Structured Study Plan

Without a structured study plan, it’s easy to procrastinate or feel overwhelmed by the amount of material to cover. Develop a daily or weekly study schedule that allocates dedicated time for learning e.g. commit to studying for a 2 or 3 evenings per week and if you have spare time, a few hours over the weekend would be a bonus.

If your online course provider has given you an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), refer to it and decide in advance what you’re going to be working on during each of your study sessions. And make sure that friends and family know when you’ll be studying so you can avoid being disturbed! Having a routine will help you build a habit of consistent learning and reinforce your sense of commitment to the programme.

Creating a ‘habit’ is key – when trying to get into the habit of exercising 3 times per week, I was once told “even if don’t feel up to it, at least go through the process of getting ready for your exercise e.g. keep your trainers in the same place each time and put them on! In this way, it’s harder to break the habit”. The same applies to your online learning – if you’ve had a hard day, at least log in and look at your online course…

3. Build a Support Network

Feeling isolated while studying online is a common challenge. What can be really helpful is to establish connections with fellow students, tutors, or even online study groups.

Engaging with others who share similar goals and challenges can foster a sense of belonging and provide valuable support and encouragement. These connections can also offer opportunities for collaborative learning and discussion, enhancing your understanding of complex topics.

If you can’t find a “study buddy”, then try enlisting the support of a friend or family member to help you keep on track and make you “accountable” for your studies. Tell them which evenings you will be studying and then ask them to check up on you e.g. did you study session ‘x’ like you said you would?

4. Visualise your Success in your Bookkeeping Studies

Take a moment each day to visualise your success as a trained accountant or bookkeeper. Imagine yourself confidently managing financial records, reconciling accounts, and providing valuable insights to businesses. Visualisation can be a powerful motivator, as it creates a positive mindset and reinforces your aspirations. Remember, your journey towards becoming a skilled accountant or bookkeeper starts with believing in yourself.

As well as mentally visualising your success, why not create a vision board for yourself and stick it on a wall in your study area so you can see it every day – it’s a great reminder of what you are striving to achieve! I have one at home and it really does help to focus your mind. Here are some great vision board examples to get you started.

5. Reward Yourself

As you achieve your smaller goals, don’t forget to reward yourself e.g. once you’ve completed 5 bookkeeping learning sessions, treat yourself to something you enjoy, such as a favourite meal or a leisure activity.

Breaking down your goals further, you could reward yourself once you’ve completed 2 hours of study for example, by having a tasty treat or a relaxing bath; whatever motivates you to stick to your goals – you get the picture.

Celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how minor they may seem, reinforces the idea that hard work and dedication lead to gratifying results.

6. Embrace Challenges as Opportunities

In any learning journey, challenges are bound to arise – from our experience, this often occurs at the beginning of the course, for example, getting your head around double-entry bookkeeping is a difficult concept to immediately click with! When I started learning it, I thought I would never get it, but after lots and lots of practice, I suddenly had a ‘light bulb’ moment and it all started clicking into place. Thousands of others have gone through the same initial pain – you just have to ‘stick with it’.

I liken it to learning how to ride a bike – for what seems like ages, you keep falling off the bike; you get more and more frustrated, until one day when you suddenly ‘get it’!

So, instead of becoming discouraged and wracked with self-doubt when learning something new, view the challenge as an opportunity for growth. Take it on with a positive mindset – it will be worth it once you’ve achieved success with your bookkeeping studies. And success breeds success!

7. Create a Dedicated Study Space

Designate a specific area in your home or workspace as your study space. This space should be free from distractions and conducive to focused learning, so make sure everyone knows that you are studying and can’t be disturbed. I know someone that puts a sign on his door which says “Only disturb if the building is on fire”!! (You might not want to go quite that far, but you get the idea).

When you settle down to your studies, ensure you close your email program, put your phone on silent and have all the necessary tools to hand e.g. note paper, pens, calculator, useful aide memoirs etc.

When you enter your ‘organised’ and ‘tidy’ study space, your mind will associate it with productivity, making it easier to stay on track and maintain concentration!

8. Practice Self-Reflection

Regularly reflect on your progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. You might want to consider keeping a journal to jot down your thoughts, successes, and challenges. Self-reflection can provide valuable insights into your study habits and enable you to make necessary adjustments to stay motivated and productive.

9. Seek Professional Development Opportunities

Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the bookkeeping/accounting field e.g. https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/, https://www.aat.org.uk/ . Attend webinars, workshops, or conferences, even if they are held virtually. Engaging in continuous professional development can fuel your enthusiasm for the subject matter and give you a sense of the broader impact your skills can have in the accounting industry – if you think about it, every business you can imagine has some form of accounting function e.g. film studios, sports clubs, theme parks (the list is almost limitless), so it’s a great profession to get into!

Conclusion

Studying bookkeeping or accounting online demands dedication, perseverance, and self-motivation. By setting clear goals, creating a structured study plan, building a support network, and embracing challenges, you can cultivate the resilience needed to excel in your studies. Remember to reward yourself for your achievements and visualize your success as a skilled bookkeeper or accounting technician. With these strategies in place, you can confidently navigate the online learning journey and build a successful and fulfilling career in the world of accounting.

If this sounds interesting, a great starting point would be The Balancing Act bookkeeping course – it can take as little as 5 days to complete, so it’s a cost effective way to get started in the world of finance. Even if you discover that an accounting career isn’t for you, you will have obtained a wealth of transferable skills – great for your CV!

Achieve Success in your Bookkeeping Studies with The Balancing Act today!

If you’re looking for a trustworthy, friendly, and reliable provider for your bookkeeping training, then look no further. The Balancing Act bookkeeping course has been designed to be a fast and cost-effective way of acquiring practical bookkeeping skills that will serve you well in your future career. Success is beckoning!

If you’d like to get started with The Balancing Act today, you can buy it now by clicking on the button below:

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Or, if you’d like some more information, please give us a call on 01392 244048 or get in touch with us here

Prue Deane BA MSc Cert Ed FMAAT

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pruedeane/