Accomplishing Goals: How I Passed the CFP® Exam
Written by Emily Janssen
Our calendars officially say “March” which means the excitement of the New Year has officially worn off along with most of our New Year’s Resolutions.
As we near the end of the first quarter of 2018, I’m curious, have you upheld your goals and solidified new habits? Me neither… At least not perfectly! But boy have I tried. 2018’s goals look a little different than those I set for 2017. Mostly because I only set one big goal last year; pass the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ exam. I am overjoyed to announce that I did accomplish that one very big goal in 2017, but I would be lying if I told you it was easy. Passing this six-hour exam was the culmination of years of study, with a few set-backs along the way. My purpose in writing to you is three-fold: announce that I am officially a CFP® Professional, acknowledge that I kept a challenging “New Year’s Resolution”, and to encourage you to not only set new goals for yourself but, more importantly, stick to them.
The Back Story
The world of Financial Planning was revealed to me as a sophomore at Raritan Valley Community College. The discovery was triggered by many Google searches for “how to pay for college” and “in-demand careers”. Fast forwarding a couple years, I graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning, which allowed me to meet the education requirements to sit for the CFP® exam. My undergraduate course material and working for HSC made me realize I was passionate about the profession.
2017
Testing is a huge hurdle in this profession. The industry of financial advising is predicated on passing exams, such as those administered by the SEC, the CFA Institute, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to name a few. I knew I wanted to be a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ so that I would have the credentials necessary to serve others through comprehensive financial counselling. Here’s the short version: On November 13th, 2017 after six years of technical and professional edification, followed by ten emotional months of rigorous study, I passed the CFP® exam. This was by far the loftiest goal I had ever set for myself, and I attribute three factors to my success:
- Prioritizing – Passing the CFP® exam was my number one priority for the entire year.
- Pushing myself – I had to embrace grit, and push myself to study every single day, even when I didn’t feel like it.
- Praying during the process – Anxiety and self-doubt creeped in at times. Praying pushed me through this struggle.
2018
So here I am, one year later, a CFP® certificant. I put in the effort necessary to pass the exam, but now the real work begins…building a career of continuous and active learning. My hope is that this little blog about accomplishing one goal in one year’s time would encourage you to accomplish at least one goal this year. Let’s face it, the motivation has already diminished and you are probably (so) over working out, or meal prepping, or staying within budget. Here’s the encouraging part: Accomplishing a goal is not about achieving perfection. There will be days, maybe even weeks, when you just don’t want to be disciplined. There is hope!
The Continuing Story
In 2017, all my free time was consumed with studying. After passing my test, I didn’t know what to do with myself anymore! I had to rediscover former hobbies and set new goals for myself. For 2018, I decided to take on one goal in five different areas of life; personal, relational, spiritual, financial, and occupational. The overarching goal: actually stick with it! In order to do this, I needed to believe I could, and then establish good habits with which to follow through. James Clear, one of my favorite motivational bloggers, said “If you’re looking to make a change, then I say stop worrying about results and start worrying about your identity. Become the type of person who can achieve the things you want to achieve. Build the habit now. The results can come later.” His theory, Identity-Based Habits will enable you to stick to your goals.
Now, you might be sitting there thinking “It’s March and my New Year’s Resolution died before February, what’s the use?” To which I would say, there is no room for negative self-talk here! Get back on the horse! James Clear also said “These small hiccups don’t make you a failure, they make you human. The most successful people in the world slip up on their habits too. What separates them isn’t their willpower or motivation, it’s their ability to get back on track quickly.” What can you do today to take the next step towards your goal? Meditate for five minutes in the morning. Read just three pages of that book on your lunch break. Call a friend during your commute home. Do 10 push-ups before bed. Set up automatic monthly contributions to your Roth IRA. Accomplish one little achievable task at a time.
Think about it… It’s ONLY March. We still have nearly 10 months to effect change in 2018!!! Give yourself grace to start fresh every day. Prioritize, push yourself, and pray through the struggle. You will accomplish your goals.
P.S. Do yourself a favor and write down your goals to commit yourself to them. Refer back to them throughout the year, and check them off once accomplished. Everyone loves checking things off their lists!
For more motivation and practical advice, check out these insightful articles…
Does Setting Goals Lead to Success, Or Limit It? By Michael Kitces
Identity-Based Habits: How to Actually Stick to Your Goals This Year By James Clear
Why is it So Hard to Stick to Good Habits? By James Clear
Get Back on Track: 7 Strategies to Help You Bounce Back After Slipping Up By James Clear
Emily is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor, and Certified Kingdom Advisor®. She earned a BS in Financial Planning from Liberty University. Emily has a passion to serve others through financial counseling.