I’m 9 years in. Currently taking the educational requirement for CFP through American College. I feel like I can’t focus because I am not really learning anything. Any tips to keep eyes on prize?

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Do all the chapter quizzes. Identify chapters that you are weakest. Start with lowest scoring chapter. Watch the video. Take quiz again. Score 90%. Move on to next chapter. This should take about 2 weeks. Get about 2 chapters done per day. (Hint: search "pomodoro technique".)

After hitting 90% on each quiz, take practice exam. For every wrong answer, hand write the question and answer. This process makes you focus and eliminate repeating the wrong answer. This should take 1 week.

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Thanks for the post. I’m in the exact same situation!

9 years in you shouldn't be learning much outside of taxes and estates. Read through the material and take as many practice questions as you can- that's how I learn best anyway.

Also, I used Dalton Education, which has videos to watch. I passed the CFP exam on my first try.

No ideas except just do it, then keep up the education. Try and find something to study for and/or do when you finally get your mind in that mode so you don’t lose it! Keep learning.

Why can't you focus? What's getting in the way? Is it because you know all the answers, or because other parts of your life, such as your job, are getting in the way?

I set aside 2 hours a night and 4 hours each weekend day for my CFP studies I was two years into the industry, having come from another career, so I had a lot to learn, which is why I went after the CFP. American College was just OK. Nice structure, but the texts and instructors ran the gamut when it came to quality. I then used Ken Zahn (https://www.kenzahn.com/) for my CFP prep, and I can't say enough good things about them.

Everyone is different, as are their learning styles, so Zahn, or any prep course for that matter, might not be as valuable to you as it was to me, but I'm pretty sure I passed because of them.

Good luck!

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