Everyone sets goals. Typically, these goals fall into two categories - short-term and long-term. Short-term goals may consist of saving for a well-deserved vacation or shedding 10 lbs. before summer. Long-term goals focus more on what you want to accomplish in life and retirement planning.

Let's face it, reaching financial goals requires discipline — the discipline that many of us don't have. We can't pass by the coffee shop in the morning without stopping for a large cup of Joe and a muffin, we're tempted when we see that big-screen television on sale, and we're convinced that new iPhone® has our name on it. 

Most people have financial goals that they would love to accomplish. Some of these may be smaller, such as going on a weekend getaway. Others may require a more significant and costly commitment, like saving for a down payment on a home or finally paying off that $7,000 credit card balance.

So you’re enjoying life, working a job that gets you decent money, and you’re ready to move forward in life. Maybe you’re someone who takes life “one day at a time,” or perhaps you just “go through the motions” of making money and paying bills in a never-ending cycle. If you’re really ready to move forward in life, there’s one thing you cannot live without, a financial vision.

As the year comes to an end, you may be starting to think about all you want to accomplish in the new year. If you’re like most, some of your resolutions probably include either breaking an old habit or starting a new one. Whether your goals consist of losing a certain amount of weight or getting out of debt, the key to success is starting small.

Much of what we do day-to-day is driven by habit. Like with other bad habits that could bring you down, bad financial habits can also cause harm and frustration. Whether it’s paying thousands in interest or fees, having zero cash for emergencies, or damaging your credit score, poor financial habits need to be addressed and corrected.

Setting and achieving goals is important in all areas of your life, whether financial or not. The challenge is not so much in creating goals but actually fulfilling them. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a random Tuesday, starting on the path of a new goal is much easier than making the trek to the end.