Bookkeeping is like going to the gym, you always say you’ll start Monday, but Monday never comes

We’ve all been there. You make a promise to yourself…

“This Monday, I’m going to get my life together. I’ll hit the gym, eat something green that isn’t a gummy bear and finally tackle my bookkeeping.”

Monday struts in, coffee in hand “Maybe next week, champ.”

Bookkeeping is exactly like going to the gym.

You know it’s good for you, you know you’ll feel better after, but somehow Netflix, snacks and “I’ll do it later” are always doing bicep curls in your brain.

By the time you finally show up, it’s a mess.

Your financial muscles are weak, your paper pile is ripped and you’re out of breath just opening your spreadsheet/Quickbooks.

Plus, there’s a receipt stuck to a banana in your car and a pile on your desk labeled “Important!” that’s been there since June.

Here are some quick tips to make bookkeeping a habit you can stick to

Tip 1: Warm up before you lift (or sort)

You wouldn’t run into the gym and immediately deadlift your own body weight (unless you really wanted to spend the week walking funny). 

Same with bookkeeping.

Don’t just open your books and start typing random numbers like you’re cracking a safe.

Gather your receipts, bank statements and invoices first. It’s way easier than doing financial burpees later.

Tip 2: Consistency is the real flex

One epic gym session won’t turn you into an Instagram fitness model. And one frantic, coffee-fueled bookkeeping binge at tax time won’t magically make your finances healthy. 

Set aside a weekly “financial workout” time, even if it’s just 20 minutes.

Bonus: it burns almost as many calories as panicking in April.

Tip 3: Don’t skip leg day, or expense categories

Skip leg day at the gym and you’ll end up looking like a Dorito with feet. Skip expense categories and your books will have that same uneven vibe. 

Track everything: the client lunch, the mystery Amazon charge, the $4 parking receipt that’s been living in your coat pocket since February, and yes, even that $6.29 coffee you bought for your customer.

Tip 4: Get a personal trainer (aka a bookkeeper)

Some people thrive at the gym solo. Others need someone to yell “One more rep!” until their soul leaves their body.

If you keep “forgetting” to do your books, hire a pro. 

They’ll keep your finances in shape and won’t judge you for your shoebox filing system (though they might raise an eyebrow at the receipt with a coffee ring and something suspiciously sticky on it 🙂).

Final thoughts

Bookkeeping, like the gym, gets easier once it’s a habit.

Start small, keep it consistent and reward yourself for showing up (preferably not with a triple-layer cake, unless you’re going to hit the gym after👍).

Sure, you may never love it, but you’ll love the results, especially when tax season rolls around and you’re not sweating more than a spin class.