When asked if they are satisfied with their financial situation, very few people will answer, “Yes!” Many will say that they wish that they had fewer bills to pay; had a better job; owned a home; worked for themselves; or that they just had more money to do what they wanted.

There is an old English rhyme which begins, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” It is easy to create a fantasy life by simply wishing it would happen; even paupers can live like princes in their dreams. However, in real life, wishes do not materialise unless they are backed by work.

If you would like to improve your money situation, don’t expect the process to be effortless. As our wise Jamaican saying advises, “If yuh want good, yuh nose haffi run.” To achieve your dreams, you have to be willing to work hard and persevere along the pathway until you attain your goal.

Be prepared to think positively

I often encourage people to think creatively to solve their money problems. Many times, they will give me various excuses why potential solutions are impossible to execute. They will stick to their convictions that better won’t come, and continue to complain about the difficulties of their lives.

The hardest part of goal achievement is mentally preparing yourself for the journey. While there are challenges that can deter you from getting ahead, such as time and money constraints, once you are inspired to make a difference in your life there is no obstacle that will stop you forever.

When you really believe it is possible, you’ll do whatever it takes to accomplish your goal. History is replete with many stories of people who conquered seemingly insurmountable odds; with the sheer power of their minds, they produced the fuel to carry out the required tasks for success.

Be prepared to change

Another stumbling block that hinders many people from getting what they want is an unwillingness to change. If you’re not satisfied with your money situation, you’re probably not doing something right. Therefore, you can’t expect to improve your condition by continuing along your current route.

Change can be tedious as it requires you to work harder. Change can be intimidating as it requires you to step into unfamiliar territory. Change can be lonely as it requires you to face opposition from those who don’t understand where you’re going. However, change is required for you to succeed.

Apart from changing your mindset, you will also need to adjust your habits. The results you have today are directly linked to the actions you have or have not taken over the years. If you are going to achieve better end results, it simply means that you must start taking the appropriate steps.

Be prepared to learn

While they may have a real desire to change, many people are not sure exactly what they need to do to succeed. Don’t expect the answers to your problems to magically appear in your mind; you have to search for the solutions by expanding your horizons beyond your current knowledge base.

I discovered the money principles I teach today by researching many sources. Determined to learn what financially successful people knew about money, I consumed books and websites, invested in seminars, and sought out virtual and real-life mentors who could share their success secrets.

For every money problem you have, there are resources that can help you to find solutions. In past columns I have provided locations that offer practical steps that anyone can take to improve their finances. You can learn more about changing your money situation by reading the posts on this site.

Be prepared to be patient

Other deterrents to goal attainment are the unrealistic expectations that people set for themselves. Although you have started working earnestly on your goal, don’t think that everything will fall smoothly into position. Only in fairy tales does ‘happily ever after’ take place in just one sentence.

A mango tree does not sprout from seed to harvest overnight, and the caterpillar must struggle in the cocoon before it takes flight as a butterfly. Similarly, there is a time and process that is required for you to learn and develop into the person you need to be to accomplish your dreams.

When you are proceeding on your goal journey, expect frustrations to occur and setbacks to come. It is a part of the learning curve of success that you cannot avoid. Instead of yielding to obstacles, envision how they can steer you in the right direction to keep you on the pathway to your goals.

Another Jamaican adage advises that “Victory nuh come from lie dung inna bed.” In other words, your success will not come while you’re lying in bed; to get the money results you desire, you must be willing to back up your dreams with planning, purposeful effort and perseverance.

Copyright © 2015 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, October 22, 2015.

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Cherryl is a money coach and business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com and www.financiallysmart.org. Contact Cherryl