At the start of every month, we have been looking at a specific issue that can affect your ability to accomplish the goals which you resolved to work on for this year. You can only make progress with your objectives if you continually place them in the forefront of your mind.

One major challenge to goal achievement is our propensity to get started on a project but give up on the process before it is complete. We get a sense of satisfaction once we begin carrying out the required steps, feeling content enough to know that we have started on the road to success.

Cross over the goal line
We may excuse the fact that we actually never finished the task at hand, saying that we are still on track. However, when it comes to goal achievement, you don’t get a ‘good effort’ in your homework book just for trying. A goal that’s only partially completed is a goal that has not been achieved.

Have you ever seen a race in which one participant leads the pack for the majority of the time, only to fall down or get injured just before finishing the event? The fact that the runner got off to a great start and was ahead of the game means very little unless he actually crosses the finish line.

Keep your eye on the end
Unlike sporting tournaments, where only one person or team can win, everyone has the ability to win at the game of life. It doesn’t matter how fast you can go or how skilled your techniques are, as long as you keep going until you reach your desired end, you will take home the trophy.

Your money mission for this month is to complete your race. Let’s look at some of the things that may prevent you from finishing your tasks, and outline some strategies to help you to conclude all those action steps that have been left hanging for far too long.

Remember your objectives
When we have to deal with the immediate pressures of life, it can be easy to forget the lofty objectives that we had set for the future. Those daily distractions which can consume all of our mental energy and physical effort are major obstacles which can derail our goals.

If you really want to accomplish some or all of the resolutions you made in January, you need to write them down or create a vision board with pictures of your desired results. Look at your goal reminders every day, so that you can constantly focus on what you are working towards.

Keep your momentum
Sometimes when we have a task that cannot be completed in one sitting, we may start out energetically, but as time goes by our interest peters out. The job remains undone because we couldn’t maintain that initial enthusiasm and got bored with doing the necessary steps.

Goal achievement is more like running a marathon instead of the 100-metre dash. Break down your big objectives into small, daily steps that are simple to accomplish, and schedule the time to get them done. That way, you will keep the momentum going until you are complete.

Rise above mediocrity
Major goals are often made up of mundane activities; sometimes we may discount the importance of these tasks and settle for less than our best efforts. For example, it’s hard to be successful with investing without spending the time to research different investment options and techniques.

Make it your philosophy to always do your best at any goal-related activity regardless of its perceived significance. Don’t shirk on finishing an action step or carry it out half-heartedly because it’s tedious or unexciting; every task plays a part in helping you to arrive at your ultimate goal.

Proceed without perfection
Ironically, sometimes our desire for perfection can actually hinder us from accomplishing our goals. We will put off working on an important task because we don’t think it’s the right time to get started, or we don’t have all the resources that we believe are required to complete it properly.

Life does not always present the ideal scenario for you to work on your objectives, but don’t let that stop you from forging ahead. Start with what you have and where you are; you don’t have carry out your tasks perfectly at first. In time, your skills and situation will improve to make the job easier.

Celebrate small accomplishments
We may be tempted to give up before we finish an activity because we don’t immediately see big results from our efforts. Discouragement is a major stumbling block that will make us lose sight of the fact that we are still heading in the right direction towards our goals.

You must keep motivated to plod along the pathway until you finally reach your destination. Give yourself rewards whenever you finish an activity, whether large or small; recognise that each task that you complete represents another milestone along the way to success.

Copyright © 2013 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, August 8, 2013

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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