Don't Be Your Own Biggest Obstacle: 9 Questions to Get Your Goals Back on Track
What are you reaching for this year?
We’re already halfway into February — and typically around this time we lose the momentum and motivation that we had in January for our goals and resolutions. Whether you’re aiming for more work-life balance, a higher income, better health, breaking bad habits, or a career change, a goal can be anything you desire.
So let me ask you two important questions:
What are you reaching for this year?
How is it going so far?
Are you making progress, or have you fallen off track? Either way, the 9 thought-provoking questions I share below are intended to help you gain perspective on what you need to keep going.
9 Questions to Get Perspective on Your Obstacles
When working towards objectives, we should realistically expect to experience doubt, setbacks, unexpected wobbles, wrong turns. After all, if it were always plain sailing, then we’d all be achieving our goals quickly and easily. But we know that’s not always the case - at least until we learn some of the tools that facilitate the process for us.
Here are 9 breakthrough questions I regularly share with my clients to get them back on track. Bonus points if you can come up with an actionable step for each one.
1. Are you actively seeking opportunities to achieve your goal, or are you focusing on why it won’t work?
Mindset is key. A growth mindset will explore possibilities, a fixed mindset will fixate on obstacles.
2. Are you making a plan, or just hoping for the best?
Successful goals require a plan. Are you actively following steps toward your success, or just waiting for things to fall into place?
3. Are your arms wide open, ready to receive your goal, or are you resisting it?
Sometimes, we unintentionally close ourselves off to success by resisting change or the unknown. Are you embracing your goal and what lies beyond it, or do you have doubts and fears about the changes it will bring?
4. Are you prepared to take the first step, or are you overwhelmed by the distance between you and your goal?
The first step is often the hardest. Celebrate every small step you take. They all have value, lead to the next one, and bring you closer to your goal.
5. Are you focused on solutions, or are you getting bogged down by the problems?
Shift your focus from challenges to opportunities. Are you a problem-focused or solution-focused goal achiever?
6. Are you seeking the support and resources you need, or are you trying to do it all alone?
You don’t have to do it alone. Support and resources can come in many forms: information, time, money, rest, training. Asking for help is a strength; if it is difficult for you, read this article.
7. What would you tell your best friend if they were in your shoes?
You want your friends to achieve their goals, right? So what advice would you give someone you care about in your situation?
8. Are you open to adjusting your approach, or are you rigidly sticking to your plan?
Flexibility is important when things don’t go as planned. Getting stuck often provides essential information on where we need to change things.
9. Do you believe you deserve to achieve your goal, or are you doubting your worthiness?
Self-belief is critical for success. Reinforce your self-trust with each step you take.
Ready to Reset?
If you respond to these questions honestly and openly, you’ll get a good idea of how likely you are currently to reach that goal. You’ll also know what you need to do to increase your chances.
One of the first steps to achieving any goal, is developing a mindset that is open to the possibilities, getting support, and learning lessons from setbacks, rather than disqualifying oneself and becoming defeated by the challenges. With that mindset, it then becomes easier to take action that will move you forward. Don’t be your own biggest obstacle.
One of the ways a coach can support is by providing insight and perspective through questions like these. My job is not to tell you what to do, but to guide you to uncovering your own solutions. When you’re unsure of your next step, I’m here to direct your attention to new possibilities so you can make the right decision and move forward with confidence.
If you’re ready to upgrade your mindset, break through barriers, and reach your personal, career, and communication goals, let’s chat. Book a free discovery call today, or email me at siobhan@siobhangallagher.co.
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Siobhán Gallagher is a coach, educator and writer focused on the intersection between communication, career and wellbeing. Join her mailing list or book a discovery call to learn more. Connect at siobhangallagher.co, LinkedIn and Instagram.