It's one thing to get ahead it's another staying there.

Much of what we've discussed concerns how to handle your finances. 

Most such personal financial blogs are the same in this respect. 
Less discussed is the difficulty involved in maintaining focus on the goals you've set.
 Of course first you must identify your personal financial dream. And now you have to outline the direction that dream takes you.

But at some point planning and dreaming has to give way to the next obvious step.
Now begins the point where you have to act.
Namely, you have to consistently work for this goal the entire amount of time you've allotted yourself to achieve that dream. 
Few people ever hit a target if when not sure what that target (your dream) looks like.
That's what's going to keep your head in the game.

Most people find this to be the hard part. 
Because for most people it is.
This is also the part when future expectations meet current realities. 
It's one thing accepting the fact your going to have a certain amount of overtime. 
But what really happens when overtime becomes available?
 Far too often, we convince ourselves we "need" to do other things.
 Or thats it's "not worth it".

That big dream? 
You have just as much right to fail as to succeed.
 No one can make you do what you need to do and no one can stop you either.
 Your dreams are yours.
 Like it or not.

It really all comes down to this: motivation VS discipline.
Everyone has those occasionally "take on the world" moments.
 After listening to a stirring speech, having witnessed a remarkable achievement, or perhaps an especially moving religious service. 
Those moments never last.

Discipline on the other hand has an entirely different outlook. 
Discipline understands what your situation will look like when you always turn down overtime. 
Or don't bother to pay off those smaller nagging debt. Discipline won't just appear when you need it most.
 You always need it.

Some of you have the discipline part down pat.
For those who don't theres a number of things you can do to help.

The most important thing you can possibly do is remove any friction likely to derail you.
 Your chances of success skyrocket according to the amount of friction we encounter along the way.
And remember very few setbacks are unforeseen!
 Most setbacks are disguised as unpleasant surprises hiding in plain sight.
 Sometimes life takes a turn you just couldn't have imagined. 
But thats the exception. Stick to the rule.

Here are a few of the things you can do to keep yourself from getting derailed.

1. Make sure you and your spouse or significant other are on the same page with the same dream: 
There's a good reason this is number one. 
Its most important.
 You can't row a boat in two different directions.

2. Address any potential setback before it becomes a setback:
 Financial or personal as soon as it becomes apparent.
 For example if you think your company is on shaky ground don't just wait for the worse. 
Get your resume together, know who you can draw references from, make a list of potential employers you might be a good fit for, and be prepared to sign up for unemployment. 
You might feel confident you'll be working again in a week or two but you might be wrong.

3. Limiting Beliefs:
 When the months are dragging along and your progress is steady, expect a visit from limiting beliefs. 
Sometimes your really just using these beliefs to justify giving up. 
Usually in fact. 
This is where discipline has to factor in. 
It's where you need it most.

4. Make sure your improving as you go along:
This is another one of those matters people don't think about but should be doing.
You should at least be trying to improve any areas of your finances that could stand improvement. Constant examination will bear fruit down the road.
It will help you to avoid pitfalls you might not have noticed.

5. Don't neglect your health:
No one wants to be the richest man in the graveyard.
Stay in shape, get enough sleep, lose the bad habits. 
You want to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor as you achieve them.

6. Have somebody hold you accountable:
It's one thing to break a promise to yourself, Its another to break it to someone you care about.
How are you going to feel if you tell your wife/husband/significant other your going to lose twenty pounds by the end of the year but gain ten.
 Being held accountable by someone you respect makes you fearful of doing anything that might cost you their respect.

7. Paralysis of the analysis:
It's time we circled back to the beginning. 
Again there just comes a point where action is more necessary than further analysis.
When it's time for action start acting already.
 Make sure you've done the planning first, then go. 
The longer you delay the longer it takes to get where you want.
Planning is meaningless until it's put into action.

One final thought. No one can do these or any other steps for you. 
Find your why and find a way.