In the fable of the tortoise and the hare, they have an argument about who is faster and decide to settle it with a race. In the race the hare gets an early and wide lead over the tortoise and appears to be the clear winner. But because he is so far ahead, over-confident, and tired from his burst of effort, he decides to take a short nap. While the hare is napping, the tortoise, who never gave up but made steady progress, takes the lead and wins the race.

Success in achieving goals often goes like this race. Early enthusiasm may find us at the gym for a day or two working especially hard, but when we become sore or just not inclined to work out so hard, our progress quickly fades into nothing. Establishing daily habits small enough that we can stick to them day in and day out, are much more likely to bring us to a fine finish.

Wealth building, a great career, health and maintaining a good weight, happy relationships, happy children... all of these dreams are more easily achieved when we give our goals daily attention and focus on making steady effort.

Establishing a habit is the most important part to beginning the path to long term success. Choose any goal and decide what effort you can put into achieving it at least five days each week. In the beginning, what is most important is that you establish regular effort, so make your task or time commitment small if that is what you need to stick with it daily.

Saving $1 a day, every day, for a year, will bring you more savings than putting away $100 one week and then quitting. Giving up drinking soft drinks permanently is more likely to help you maintain a healthy weight than going on a strict weight loss diet for one week. Find the habits that you can live with long term, to help you achieve your goals.