You have written down your goals, are clear on what you want and are raring to go. However, months go by and you still haven't achieved any of them - why? Setting goals and ensuring you have the motivation to succeed, is only one half of the equation; you also need to acknowledge those things that may prevent you from achieving those goals.

Solution - set goals for YOU, not anyone else. Ensure it awakens your emotions. Get excited about it, imagine achieving it, use all your senses; feel it, see it, imagine living it.

Solution - ensure all goals are carefully planned and you have explored ALL avenues. Is there another way of reaching it without giving up something that actually means more to you (i.e. time with your family)? Is there an alternative or similar goal that you could achieve that doesn't upset the balance too much (cutting back on expenses and saving the difference)? If you are having to give up something that is equally, or more important, than your new goal - you will not achieve it. Find a happy medium or set an alternative goal. Brainstorm all the ways you can achieve your goals; you may be surprised at what solutions pop to mind.

1. Expectation - you've set your goals, broken them down into manageable chunks and can picture your end result - but is it what you REALLY want, or what you think you SHOULD want? It is easy to set a goal using rational thoughts (what I want, what I think I should want, I should want this), however if your heart and emotions are not really in it - you aren't going to achieve it.

2. Balance - if you achieve this goal, what is the downside? What will you lose? You may want to earn a certain amount of money - but does that mean you need to increase your hours at work and spend less time with your family?

3. Timeframe - Are being realistic with your timescale? You may have a goal to earn twice your annual salary - but if you are aiming to do this in six months; you will either need a radical way of increasing earnings or will need to increase timeframe.

4. Solution - plan each goal thoroughly. Break each goal into manageable steps and assess each to ensure it is realistic for you to achieve in the timeframe you want - if it isn't, either alter your goal or extend the timeframe to make it more achievable. Remember, goals should stretch you not kill you.

Follow the hints above, get your planning right and, with the support and encouragement of friends and family, you can make reaching your goals an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

Sarah PJ White is a freelance writer and life coach who specialises in self help and general interest articles. To find out more about the author and her work, please check out her website at http://www.sarahpjwhite.com.