7 Obstacles That Stop You Reaching Your Goals & How to Overcome Them

Do you ever find yourself setting aspirations, intentions and goals only to struggle to remember them a few weeks after? 

It's easy to get derailed by obstacles that stand in the way of our dreams.

But the good news is that these obstacles can be overcome with the right mindset and strategies.

This post explores some of the most common challenges preventing you from reaching your full potential. and how to overcome them. 

From fears and self-doubts to beating procrastination and increasing focus, and other practical tips and techniques to help you break down the barriers to achieve what you want.

1. Obstacle -  The fear of failure

   Fear of failure can be a significant obstacle to achieving your goals as it prevents you from taking risks or trying new things.
   
   The Remedy ↓
   
   Remember that failure is a natural part of the learning process; everyone experiences it at some point.
   
   Instead of avoiding failure, reframe it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
   
   The term "failing forward" is often used to describe learning from your failures and using them as stepping stones towards success. 
   
   When you fail forward, you don't let your failures define you or limit your potential.
   
   Instead, you use them to reflect on what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your approach for future attempts.
   
   Doing so can turn your failures into valuable lessons that can help you achieve greater success in the long run.
   

   EFT Tapping is also an effective tool for overcoming the fear of failure.
   
   Simply 'Tap and Talk' about all aspects of your fear and the consequences of it becoming a reality and about any significant past 'failures' which could be causing your subconscious mind to protect you from repeating the same situation.  
   
   

2. Obstacle - Self-limiting beliefs 

   Self-limiting beliefs are negative thoughts or beliefs about yourself that can hold you back from reaching your full potential.
   
   These beliefs may include thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I don't have what it takes."
   
   These beliefs can lead to self-doubt, fear, and insecurity, causing you to avoid taking risks or pursuing your goals.
   
   Self-limiting beliefs can be especially damaging because they are also self-sabotaging: if you believe you can't achieve your goals, you're less likely to try and, therefore, less likely to succeed.

   
   The Remedy ↓
   
   Use journaling to explore your self-limiting beliefs, followed by EFT Tapping to process and release self-limiting beliefs.
   
   Self-limiting beliefs are often deeply rooted in your subconscious. So you must tap into and on all thoughts, feelings and memories related to when those beliefs originated.
   
   I suggest booking a free no-obligation consultation to see if a private EFT Tapping session with me might be more effective.
    

3.  Obstacle - Lack of planning:
   
   Without a clear plan of action, knowing where to start or how to progress towards your goals can be difficult.

   Without planning, you may miss opportunities or overlook essential steps, ultimately hindering your progress towards your goals.
   
   This can lead to overwhelming and uncertain feelings, causing you to procrastinate or give up altogether. 

   The Remedy ↓

   Buy a planner. Planning helps you break down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps and provides a roadmap for achieving them. Read my article 8 Benefits of Using a Planner to Reach Your Goals.
   
   Work with a coach. Coaches are trained to help you write a plan and hold you accountable for following it through. 
   
   Spend some time visualising yourself completing the steps to achieve your goals.

   The subconscious mind is designed to protect you from doing unfamiliar things, making it difficult to expand your comfort zone.
   
   You can, however, trick the subconscious mind into making it easier to achieve your goals if you imagine what achieving them looks and feels like.
   
   This is because the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between something real and imagined, so the more you imagine yourself taking steps to achieve your goals, the easier it will be to achieve them because those steps are no longer unfamiliar.
   
   

4. Obstacle - Procrastination:
   
   Procrastination can be a major hurdle for people trying to reach their goals. When we put off tasks, it can lead to feelings of stress and overwhelm, making it harder to take action.
   
   The Remedy ↓

   As I mentioned, planning helps break goals and tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
   
   Using EFT Tapping at the moment you find yourself procrastinating for 5-10 minutes to see if any fears or self-limiting beliefs are keeping you stuck.. 
   
   A practical tool for productivity is to use the Pomodoro method. 

   The Pomodoro method is a time-management technique that helps individuals to break down work into shorter, focused intervals to increase productivity and reduce procrastination.
   
   Here's how it works:

   1. Choose a task you want to complete.
   2. Set a timer for 25 minutes (called a "Pomodoro").
   3. Work on the task for 25 minutes without any distractions.
   4. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break.
   5. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break (usually 15-30 minutes).

   By breaking down work into smaller, manageable chunks, the Pomodoro method helps reduce overwhelm and make tasks more achievable.
   
   Additionally, the time constraint forces you to focus and eliminate distractions, which can help to reduce procrastination.
   
   The method is simple but can be a powerful tool for increasing productivity and staying motivated.
   
   

5. Obstacle - Lack of time:
   
   Many people struggle to find the time to work on their goals, especially if they have busy schedules or other responsibilities.
   
   The Remedy ↓

   Identify your most productive times of day and schedule your goal-related tasks during those times.
   
   Consider delegating tasks or outsourcing some responsibilities to free up time. Avoid multitasking and try to focus on one task at a time. 
   
   Working on your goals requires consistency and sustainability. 
   
   Try not to get caught up in the all-or-nothing mentality; often, this is a fear of failure or self-limiting belief in disguise. Instead so how you can find anywhere between 15-60 minutes each day and focus on making progress instead of finishing. 
   
   

6. Obstacle - Lack of support:
   
   Support from friends, family, or a coach can be critical to achieving your goals.
   
   Without it, getting discouraged or feeling alone in your efforts can be easy.
   
   The Remedy ↓
   
   Contact friends, family, or a mentor for support and accountability.
   
   Join a community or support group related to your goal that can offer guidance and encouragement.
   
   

7. Obstacle - Lack of resources:
   
   Sometimes people lack the resources to achieve their goals, such as money or access to information or equipment. This can make it harder to get started or make progress.
   
   The Remedy ↓

   Identify creative solutions to obtain the needed resources, such as borrowing or renting equipment, working part-time to earn money, or seeking out free or low-cost resources online.
   
   Consider asking for help or guidance from someone who has more experience or expertise in the area.

Achieving your goals takes time, effort, and perseverance.

But with the right mindset, strategies, and patience, you can overcome any obstacle to bring them to fruition.