Roadblocks….The things in our way, whether by us, or something else, that keeps us from accomplishing a goal. I don’t know about you, but I could set up my own roadblock in less than a minute. I could make a million excuses about why now is not the right time, I’m too busy, I can’t afford it, and a ton of others. There are a list of different roadblocks in our lives. The important thing is to identify them, and try to find a way to work through them.
What I can say is achieving our goals can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, filled with obstacles and setbacks. Recognizing and overcoming these roadblocks is crucial to staying motivated and making progress.
Common Roadblocks to Reaching Goals
- Fear of Failure: Fear has always been one I struggle with. What I fail again? The fear of failure can be a significant obstacle, preventing us from taking risks and pursuing our dreams.
- Lack of Motivation: Are you the same as me? Do you have all this energy to get started, and then two weeks in, you have lost the motivation? Losing motivation can be a challenge, especially when faced with setbacks or long-term goals.
- Procrastination: I’ll put the clothes away later. I’ll pay that tomorrow. And now, here I am five days later with late bills, and wrinkly clothes, and farther behind than I started. Putting off tasks can hinder progress and make it more difficult to achieve our objectives.
- Self-Doubt: I cannot even count the number of times in my life that I have doubted my abilities, telling myself I am incapable of doing what I absolutely can do. Doubting our abilities can undermine our confidence and make it harder to persevere.
- Overwhelm: To be honest, I am overwhelmed. This whole getting healthy thing has been a struggle for my entire life. Trying it now seems hard, and I question if I have the focus, or time to do it. Feeling overwhelmed by the scope of our goals can make it difficult to get started or stay focused.
These roadblocks are all very real, and I would guess that you have experienced at least one of them, if not all. I personally have worked myself through every single one of these. I have given them the power to overtake my success in this journey. Some I don’t struggle with as much today, but others are still there. So, let’s look at some strategies that will help us overcome these roadblocks.
Strategies for Overcoming Roadblocks
- Set Realistic Goals: Goal: 50lbs in 3 months! Is that realistic? No, absolutely not. 15lbs in 3 months. Definitely more realistic, and achievable. Break down large goals into smaller, achievable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. It’s important that we recognize each win, whether it’s eating more fruits and veggies, or taking a walk. No change is too small.
- Find Support: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, or mentors who can encourage you. The journey to better health can be hard when everyone is not on the same page. Just because I want to get healthy, doesn’t mean my family does. Be sure you have people walking the road with you.
- Practice Self-Compassion: I don’t know about you, but I can be really hard on myself. I ate something I shouldn’t, I forgot to do something, or I didn’t take my walk today. We are all human! Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism.
- Visualize Success: Imagine yourself achieving your goals, and the positive outcomes that will follow. For some of us this one can be the hardest. If we haven’t been in a better place in years, we just can’t see it, but it’s important to try to see yourself in a better light, achieving the hard stuff.
- Time Management: Good time management is key to success. Prioritize tasks, and manage your time effectively to avoid procrastination. It is essential that you schedule time for you, if you want to succeed in this journey. Put yourself on the calendar!
You can do this!
Remember, setbacks are a normal part of the journey. By recognizing and addressing these roadblocks, you can stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals.
This won’t be easy! But, I am confident if you can identify your own roadblocks, and put some of the strategies in place, you will succeed. Remember, success comes in big and small packages. Make sure to cheer yourself for any success you have along this journey.
Check out our Health page for other great reads to help you along your journey to wellness.
