Defining & Overcoming Obstacles [Goal Setting Series, part 2]

Welcome to part 2 of the Goal Setting Series! Last week, I walked you through how to figure out what you want and clearly define your goal. Today, we’re talking about defining and overcoming obstacles on the way to your goal.I’ll share some common obstacles, as well as really tangible strategies to help you overcome them. You’ll Learn:5 common obstacles and how to overcome them3 strategies to build belief in yourself and your goalWhat I wrote to myself back in 2022 when I was struggling with negative thoughts and lack of beliefWhy quitting doesn’t mean you’ll never achieve your goalA fun little rhyme to remember when life happens and you get off-track with your goalObstacles are inevitable whenever you are achieving something big (or even something small). By preparing for setbacks, you’ll be less likely to get discouraged and thrown off course.If you haven’t already grabbed your copy of the free Goals Workbook, click here to get it and follow along. ---------------------------------------------I’m using my 2026 goal of publishing a book as an example throughout this series. This is a goal I’ve wanted to achieve for a long time, and I have PLENTY of evidence of the obstacles that have prevented me from achieving this goal in the past. Common Obstacles to Achieving a GoalThere are 5 obstacles that I’ve seen come up in myself and others over and over again. They are:Belief or mindsetKnowledgeJust plain old quittingTimeLife situationsThe good news is that these are all solvable! You just have to be committed and have some helpful tools and strategies ready to go.Obstacle #1: BeliefYour thoughts about yourself, your goal, and what's possible for you play a major role in whether or not you achieve your goals. We know that thoughts lead to feelings, which lead to action. That means that if you don’t have belief in yourself and your goal, you’re way less likely to take the actions needed to achieve it. Some of the negative thoughts that creep up can be sneaky. Watch out for ones like:This is going to be a failure.I’m not good enough.I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve tried before and failed, so of course I’m gonna fail again.Just because these thoughts pop up, it doesn’t mean they’re true!Strategies to Build BeliefThis first strategy is one of my favorites, and I do it often. I call it an “I love you” letter. Sit down and write yourself an encouraging letter, as if your best friend is talking to you. Or your purest core Self that is full of love for you. (You can hear me read one of my old I love you letters to myself in the full episode). The next strategy goes back to last week’s episode and your “why”. When you reconnect with the true reason you want your goal, it often inspires you to action. Another way to build belief is to create an evidence log. When you think that your goal is impossible, your brain will start looking for evidence that that is true. Instead, practice looking for evidence that what you want IS possible, and write it down. Here are some ways to find that evidence:Look back at your life. When have you proven to yourself that you can do things?What is a goal you set in the past that you achieved?These bits of evidence do not have to be directly related to your goal. You’re just building a body of proof that you can succeed. For example, my goal is to publish a book. Some of my evidence includes times I wanted to (and did) graduate from college, start a podcast, build a profitable business, improve my marriage, and eat healthy. As you add to your log, I know that you’ll end up with plenty of evidence that you are a person who is capable of achieving her goals. You can also use this strategy if you are struggling with impostor syndrome or thoughts like, “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m not good enough,” etc. Focus on positive personality traits like, “I am a person who doesn't quit. Even if I've quit before I've come back to it,” or “I am a person who likes to work hard.“Decide that you are good enough, and look for evidence of that being true.Obstacle #2: KnowledgeThe truth is that, sometimes, you really just don’t know what to do. Or you don’t have the information or skills to make your goal happen (yet). When I started my business, I got trained in a bunch of different parenting philosophies. Then a few years later, I went through life coaching certification. When I wanted to start this podcast, I had to do some research and took an online course.The solution to this one is super practical. When you are lacking knowledge, it means that you have to invest in yourself, education, and resources that you need in order to fill that knowledge gap. Obstacle #3: QuittingQuitting is probably the #1 obstacle to achieving your goals. We’ve all done it. You just stop working on it. You can always overcome quitting by starting again.You can un-quit whenever you want. It’s a decision you can make at any time. It's not that big...