The problem for essentially everyone, however, lies in finding the motivation to accomplish those particular goals. We all have good intentions, fully meaning to write a personal letter to each family member out of state each month, or preparing presentations for work two days in advance instead of the night before. But what is it that keeps us from achieving these goals, over and over again abandoning them and falling back into our old habits. Here are some reasons we fail:
We don't have strong enough will to carry through our goals.
We lack the self discipline.
Everyday life gets in the way of the changes we want to make, like going to the gym.
We end up not having a strong enough motivation.
We let little things sidetrack us.

For many people, finding a role model is a good way to impel motivation and to keep us with an eye on our goals. Here are some tips on how to use a role model to increase your motivation.

Make a list of your goals.
Choose a role model.
Identify traits of your particular role model.
Decide how you can implement those traits in your own life.
Continually remind yourself of your role model and those traits.

1. Make a list of your goals.

Sit down and make a list of the goals that you have. Don't go overboard. Instead, make a short list of the key things that you want to achieve, or that you want to change in your life. Be reasonable about it; this is the first step to achieving goals and keeping your motivation to keep those goals.

Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve can help you decide on the proper role model who demonstrates the traits that you want to emulate.

2. Choose a role model.

Think about the people who inspire you in your life. This might be someone that you have never met, but a historical figure who is famous for certain reasons, like Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Queen Elizabeth. Or it might be someone in your own life, who has always been an example to you, such as a grandfather, a family friend, or your hard-working, self-sacrificing single mother. Choose someone who has traits that you can follow, instead of just someone who is spectacular or popular or famous.

3. Make a list of the role model's traits.

Why do you see this person as a potential role model? What has this person done that inspires you? Obviously, if you choose Queen Elizabeth, it's not because you need someone to show you how to be an effective ruler of a Renaissance empire. It's because you admire certain other personality traits: hard work, perseverance, a woman who stands up for herself in a man's world.

What is it about your grandfather that you have always admired? The way that he always made time for you even though he worked 70 hours a week? The fact that he had a great sense of humor despite some significant setbacks in his life?

These traits are what you will be striving to implement in your own life.

Remember: one of the greatest character traits in our role models is the fact that even though things don't work out for them, they stick with their goals.

4. Decide how you can implement these traits in your own life.

Realistically, how can you try to be more like your role model? You have a different life, but how can you work these traits into your own life? Come up with a concrete plan, rather than vague ideas. The example of another real life person who has accomplished their own goals can be a constant reminder to you that it is possible.

5. Continually remind yourself of the role model and their traits.

Role models help increase our motivation because we always have the memory of that particular person in front of us. That person's own successes are our inspiration. So get a picture, buy a biography, look up some quotes. Choose someone realistic, so that you can really identify with them, particularly when you become discouraged.