MIND MATTERS: THE WONDER OF OBSTACLES

Recently I discussed setting goals and working toward achieving them. Many of you perhaps tried doing just that. What did you find? Did you make up your mind to achieve the things you want out of life no matter what obstacles come your way? Or did some obstacles prove too obstinate? 

This month let’s get to know what gets in our way. Here’s an exercise that digs into what’s behind your obstacles and will open the way for removing them. First, split a sheet of paper into 3 columns: What I Wanted, Why I Gave Up and What I Could Have Done. 

Now, think back to several goals or dreams you had in the past. Mentally relive the experience that led up to your quitting pursuing your goal. Let yourself really feel it. Perhaps you set a goal to start a business, or maybe you wanted to finish college and never followed through with your plan. 

When you can remember at least three times in your life when you stopped short of achieving what you had planned, list them in the first column on your chart. In the second column, write down what it was that stopped you from pursuing your dream or goal. Identify the obstacle that came into your path. Was there a conversation you had with yourself in which you talked yourself out of it? Be as specific as you can about what it was that caused you to give up on this goal. 

Then, write down what you could have done to achieve your goal. Was there some action that you could have taken to overcome the obstacles that challenged you at that time? How might you do it differently now? Write down everything that comes to mind in the third column. 

In completing this exercise, many people realize that they were very close to achieving their dream when they quit trying because of one obstacle or another. What can you do NOW to recapture the desire to achieve your dream and renew your passion? 

When you’re ready to go after your dreams, set forth a clear, compelling vision of what you truly want, write out goals with milestones, control your self-talk, and discipline yourself to do the work. The rest will take care of itself. 

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Wendy Jameson, MA, offers corporate and personal coaching through her company, Potentiate (www.potentiate.net). She's the author of The Low Carb Survival Guide and co-creator of the email-based Self-Manager Success Program. She lives in Gilbert with her husband and two boys.