You start out excited, motivated, and determined.  Then the next thing you know your goals are gone with the laundry, your job, and the carpool.  How did that happen?  What can you do about it?  Let’s look at a few problems and hopeful solutions.

1. Sometimes we fall off the path because we don’t have a clear idea of where we are going.  So make your goal clear and specific.  Don’t just say something like, “I am going to lose weight!”  Instead, ” I am going to lose 20 pounds in 8 weeks, by staying on this diet plan and walking 3 miles a day.”  There is a plan you will follow.  A plan helps keep you going.  There a quantitative aspect, a way to measure your progress.  This can help keep you encouraged.  There is a stopping point, feeling like it will go on forever isn’t very motivating.
2. Create a time to work on your goal or project.  I hear a lot of, “I don’t have time.”  That excuse might be valid.  So work on finding a solution instead of letting time limitations win. Maybe your spouse can cook for the needed amount of weeks that you will be studying.  Can someone else pickup the kids from school so you can get in your daily walk? Maybe you could give up your favorite shows for a time?  Get up earlier? The time is there you just need to make some adjustments.
3. Make a plan for potential obstacles.  Is there a way you can get your exercise if the weather is bad?  Can you split what you needed to do today into smaller hunks of time during the day, just for today?  
4. Stay positive when things go wrong.  And they will.  Don’t beat yourself up or punish yourself.  This only weakens your motivation.  Just get back on track and continue to move forward.  Please don’t start over.  That is so discouraging.
5. Reward yourself.  Show yourself recognition and value even small progress.  Reward gives your motivation a boost.