As we continue to look at strategies that can help you to accomplish the financial goals that you set for 2013, it is important to consider some major obstacles that could be hindering your progress. Goal achievement requires you to be honest about the issues that may be holding you back.

If you are working towards your goals, you must be proceeding in a forward motion. No one has ever achieved anything by standing still or looking back on the past. So, in order to succeed in your objectives, you must be willing to move from where you are today onto new pathways.

Whether you want to budget effectively, save more, get out of debt, increase your income, buy a home, or start investing for your retirement, it is necessary for you to adopt improved money attitudes and actions. Change is integral to the process of accomplishing your financial goals.

This month’s money mission is to embrace change and welcome the opportunities that come when you embark on new directions. To do this, you first need to understand why you may be avoiding the process of change and hesitating to make the adjustments required to achieve your goals.

Change can be uncomfortable

There is a natural human desire to be comfortable; we all aspire to be relaxed, content and secure in our activities and surroundings. Whenever a situation threatens your peace of mind, your brain will instinctively resist any intrusion that may jeopardise your state of equilibrium.

Although many people are not where they want to be with their finances, they have developed an acceptance of their position that locks them into a false comfort zone. Money problems may exist, but they have resigned themselves to thinking that this is their reality and it cannot be changed.

Break out of your comfort zone

If their financial situation gets really overwhelming they may seek some solutions. However, since the actions needed to fix their problems often require them to change their ‘comfortable’ way of being, their subconscious minds will find various ways to sabotage the process.

Understand that your comfort zone is really a limiting place that keeps you stagnating, not growing. Like a caterpillar that must struggle to free itself from the confines of its cosy cocoon, so should you fight to break loose of the comfort trap that prevents you from progressing with your goals.

Change can be confusing

Another reason that some people resist change is that they are unsure of all the steps that they need to take, and uncertain of the outcome of any attempts to adjust their actions. Confusion can paralyse you and prevent you from making appropriate decisions about your finances.

Although many persons’ financial situations may be less than ideal, at least they know what to expect with the problem. As the saying goes, “Stick to the evil that you know”; and they prefer to remain with the stressful issues that they understand, than to venture out into unknown territory.

Break away from uncertainty

In today’s age of knowledge when information is readily available on any topic, there really is no excuse for resisting change because of ignorance. While change can lead you into uncertain situations, it is relatively simple to find answers to any questions that may arise along the way.

One way to deal with your doubts is to educate yourself about the activities that can help you to achieve your objectives. For example, if you are reluctant to invest because you don’t understand the process, you can research investing techniques online or get help from an investment advisor.

Change can be scary

The process of change can be very intimidating for many persons. It is natural to want to be in control of your destiny; when you are contemplating making changes in your life, you may have to temporarily relinquish your directional authority and allow outside forces to affect your results.

Change brings the prospect of risk, with the possibility of getting a negative or opposite result than what you had desired. For most people, the thought of taking on risk creates a feeling of fear, and fear inhibits them from taking the necessary actions that will give them what they truly desire.

Break free of fear

When it comes to money, there are many fears that can affect the change process. Some people are fearful of getting help to reduce their debt because they don’t want to face the embarrassing facts; others resist trying to earn extra income because they fear rejection from their sales efforts.

Your fear will put a stranglehold on your dreams, and it is an obstacle that must be conquered if you want to succeed. Next week, we will look at some practical strategies that can help you to overcome the various fears that might be preventing you from moving ahead with your goals.

Cherryl is a money coach, business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. Her upcoming book, “The 3 Ms of Money” will reveal all the secrets she learned about financial success. Get more advice on money and business matters at www.financiallysmartadvice.com and www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com. E-mail comments to cherryl@financiallysmartonline.com.