Conquering excuses to achieve your goals

The biggest obstacle to achieving your goals is rarely time, money or circumstance. It’s the internal stories that quietly convince you to wait, delay or give up before you’ve truly started.

“I don’t have enough time.”

“I don’t have enough money.”

“My family needs me.”

“I tried it before and it didn’t work.”

“I don’t know where to begin.”

“I’m too stressed out.”

“I don’t believe I can get what I want.”

“I’m not good, smart, talented or whatever enough.”

The biggest obstacle to achieving our goals is ourselves.

Even when we really, really want something, we can deprioritize it in a heartbeat. We create a list of reasons why it’s not the right time or thing to do now without giving ourselves the time and space to figure out if those are excuses or valid reasons.

As we enter the second half of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we want and how to approach our endeavors.

Understand your what

As Bill Gates says, “most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year…” Let’s set ourselves up for success and focus on one major goal.

Do a brain dump of all that you would love to achieve in every aspect of your life: physical and mental health, family, relationships, home, career, finances, spirituality, community and personal growth.

Rank them or pick the top two or three that feel the most pressing. Then write a list of potential outcomes and benefits from having achieved that goal.

Also factor in the level of effort and complexity. Hopefully, there’s a clear winner. If not, just pick one based on your gut. There’s no wrong answer.

Paint the picture

Write about your current situation and your desired situation. Both can be short but should be in a narrative format.

Write about your current life, what you love, what you find challenging and who and what you care most about.

Then write about your life with the goal achieved. And here’s the key: write it in present tense so it feels like it’s already happened.

For example: “I love my new job. I work with smart and collaborative colleagues and get to work on meaningful projects. I have great work-life balance and earn enough to go on a vacation this fall.”

Read the new story often. It creates a new neural pathway for the brain to understand, see and help focus your attention and efforts.

Write microsteps

Now that you know your what and why, write steps that you can take to make progress. You can write a comprehensive list, but it’s critical to break them into sections and create microsteps.

For example, you might need to revamp your resume. You can start by researching resume writers, finding a new template or writing a list of bullets of the biggest projects you’ve completed in your current job.

Create one action that you can take now and then once you finish that, create another. The more actions you complete, the more you’ll want to do.

Timeblock

Give yourself time and space to complete these microsteps. Block time on your calendar and be as consistent as possible. For example, you could block time on Tuesdays and Fridays for 60 minutes.

Be realistic with the frequency and length of time. The right amount of time is when you enjoy doing the activities, not when it feels like a chore.

Let go of the when

This is often the most challenging part. Even if you believe six months is enough time to accomplish your goal, it may take longer or less time than you expect.

Fixating on a timeframe creates unnecessary pressure. The more you can enjoy the journey and approach each step as an opportunity to learn and grow, the more likely you are to move forward consistently.

Find a buddy or two

Ask a couple of friends or colleagues if they’d like to be part of your “journey club.” Make it a weekly or bi-weekly check-in to share updates, brainstorm ideas and support each other.

Keep it short, around 30 minutes, and give everyone time to share. This helps you stay accountable and amplifies your progress.

Use your toolkit

Create a menu of tactics that you can draw from when you get stuck. Look back on other goals you’ve achieved and think about what helped you overcome obstacles.

Affirmations: Say mantras that reinforce belief in yourself. “I’m a talented and confident leader.” “I accomplish all that I set out to do.” “I easily connect with people.” Or focus on gratitude: “I’m so happy and grateful for my new resume.”

Journaling: Writing your thoughts and feelings is powerful. It helps identify core issues and release stress, allowing you to feel more empowered. Start with questions like “what’s top of mind?” or “what’s my biggest challenge?”

Meditating: Try short guided meditations focused on releasing stress, building confidence or being present. Many are just 10 to 20 minutes.

Going on a walk: Getting outdoors and taking in nature can ground you and give you a fresh perspective. Even a short walk can help.

Reading or watching inspiring content: Revisit your vision, watch a TED Talk or read something that boosts your energy and focus.

Therapy: If you’re not finding techniques that work, consider talking to someone. It can be one of the most impactful investments in your growth.