Progress toward goal achievement can sometimes be blocked by challenges and obstacles. Handling challenges can take courage, creativity, grit, and resilience. Some of the biggest obstacles are the ones that we create ourselves. Here are some ways to flip obstacles that might be encountered:
- Fear – limit fear to the back seat: author Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a Letter to Fear.
- Laziness – focus on the satisfaction that comes from hard work for a meaningful goal.
- Indecision – find options for solutions and decide.
- Perfectionism – seek progress rather than perfection and begin to get important stuff done.
- Confusion – if the path is unclear: gain clarity, make a plan, and be aware.
- Limiting beliefs – learned helplessness can prevent action. Re-frame thinking to become resilient.
- Attitude – change from a negative attitude to an action oriented, can do attitude.
- Motivation – if you feel unmotivated, the benefits of the results may not be enough to overcome inertia. Can you tip the scales? Motivation comes from action, not the other way around.
- Procrastination – if you are avoiding a task, learn about procrastination triggers and how to overcome them.
Don’t let your own limiting beliefs, the comfort zone, distractions, or fears prevent you from doing what you want to accomplish, or from connecting with others. Examine your mental beliefs and RECLAIM agency to overcome obstacles.
- Remember realistic optimism
- Expand the comfort zone
- Cultivate courage and creativity
- Look at limiting beliefs
- Always be aware of distractions
- Include small steps
- Master a growth mindset
- Empowering self-talk
- Decide to develop determination
Of course, there can be external obstacles, and unknown obstacles that are not possible to plan for. Don’t let uncertainty, failures, or setbacks stop you. Gather all your resources, know how to solve problems, develop strengths, deal with time wasters, and keep trying.
The Victor poem by C.W. Longenecker
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s [person’s] will.
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man [person who ran].
But sooner or later, the man [person] who wins
Is the man [person] who thinks he [they] can.
If you want to get ahead, use the one you’ve got!
Learn more about How to Set Goals, use time well, and develop Self-Esteem.
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
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