10 Steps to Successful Goal Setting - Part 8 - Obstacles

10 Steps to Successful Goal Setting - Part 8

What are your obstacles?

Whats likely to get in the way of achieving your goal? 

Think of the obstacles.

Write them down.

Think about ways to overcome them, before they happen.

Clients often come to me for coaching with a problem, e.g.

I want to go on holiday, but I can't afford it.
I want to earn more money, but I don't have the skills.
I want to eat healthier, but I can't because I'm always tempted by sweets.

Can you see what each of them have in common?

"I want my goal, but my obstacle is in the way".

Yes, "my" obstacle, people can get very attached to them. It's funny how people can get so attached to something that doesn't really exist, except in their own imagination.

A simple way to eliminate obstacles

Include the obstacle!

How does that work, I hear you ask? OK, lets look at the 3 examples again, this time we'll include the obstacle:

I want to go on holiday that costs more than I have available.
I want to earn more money with the skills I have.
I want to eat healthier regardless of my desire for sweets.

It's a subtle change in language, but it's immensely powerful psychologically.

When you say "I can't afford it", it's a dead end. When you say "it costs more than I have available", the mind immediately asks the question "How can I have more money available?" And it will find a way.

"Earn more money with the skills I have.." Hmmmm, well I could...

"Eat healthier"... Sure I could eat healthy meals, and still have the occasional sweet. That's got to be better than eating crap all the time...

By knowing what they are in advance, it will be easier to overcome them.

Its like having the benefit of hindsight before you encounter them.

To your success,
Trevor Long