Just don’t let it sidetrack you from the ultimate object. Researchers have discovered that the longer you pursue a goal, the farther away the end seems. It’s kind of like being on hold on the telephone. The longer you wait, the more certain you become that you’ll go on waiting forever. Under that scenario, it is easy to cave in and lose sight of the ultimate end toward which you are reaching.
Counterintuitive it may be, but studies show that it is true. And if your final target seems to be receding, you will be better able to talk yourself into taking the money you were going to save and splurge on the new boots that are beckoning.
How to ensure that your end goal stays steady? Set a specific time when it will be achieved, the experts say. Make it as concrete as possible. The more specific you are in your planning, the more likely you are to stick to the details. Work with a financial planner, if necessary, to set deadlines and arrive at the method you will use to achieve your objective.
Then divide the “big picture” into manageable smaller goals. Focus on the activity of saving itself, not on the future outcome. The objective, for instance, should be on setting aside $300 per month for retirement, not on the greater total that you have decided you need for a comfortable retirement.
A study published in Psychological Science concluded that people who break their savings plan down into particular time frames, such as weeks or months, save 78 percent more than those who are focused on some far-off, unforeseeable future goal.
Checking on your progress can help. Say at six-month intervals, compare what you have with what you had. It can be satisfying to see steady progress toward the ultimate goal. If you don’t feel satisfied with the results, make a course correction. Don’t let little hiccups have a greater impact than they should.
Don’t let retirement savings preclude an emergency fund. Having a six-month cushion in the event of an emergency has to take precedence over the future need. Maintain adequate health and disability insurance and make a concerted effort to reach zero credit card debt. Taking care of today makes it easier to ensure financial security in the future.