What does motivation cost you? If you work a demanding job, have a full social life, have hobbies and exercise schedule then finding time for CFA prep is a really big deal.

And there’s a cost to that. Thinking about, strategizing, planning, and implementing a plan all take energy and time over and above the actual study. Every change in your plan because work demanded more hours or the Institute postponed the exams means you have to stop and retool.

Most think of curriculum and maybe a class or set of videos. Some bring in study groups or whatsapp groups or facebook groups. Some buy notes others write their own. Some buy flash cards or lists or formulae to review and memorize. These join mock exams as important materials to the process.

(Candidates who have a plan save time. CUSTOM STUDY PLANadapts to your schedule.)

What is needed also but less obvious is the . How do you organize all these elements into a plan that gets you through all the steps and through a successful exam day? That plan has to fit your study style and your lifestyle to succeed.

(Want to know how effective your current study approach is? Take a 2-minute surveyand get your score.)

Why do people take on the big job of gaining the CFA charter? We asked 700 candidates and here’s what they said.

Motivation for starting the CFA program is an important factor. That purpose has to pull a candidate through long hours of solitary studying, and pull him or her over the speed bumps that come regularly through the process.