Jan 05 2009
How to Overcome Obstacles to Meeting Your Business Goals
The start of the new year is a wonderful to time to create your new goals for the year. Most likely your in-box is filled with a plethora of announcements of workshops, classes and help around goal setting. This is all good, and I am a strong supporter of strategic planning myself. However, I think the easy part is planning and writing down your goals.
It’s similar to planning a vacation. You know where you want to go and you can picture yourself laying on the beach in the sun and enjoying the rewards of getting there, feeling free and successful. All your planning helped make it happen.
But the hard part for me is overcoming the obstacles that keep me from getting there. I know exactly what I want to accomplish in my business this year, but just knowing that doesn’t make it happen. In fact, overcoming the obstacles becomes the real work and the real success.
I can write down my goals, see them on paper, create a picture of it in my mind and then it becomes a huge leap to get there. I have to face all kinds of inner demons; fears around money and self doubts, not knowing how, and on and on.
There are then only two choices. Either stay safely where I am or face the fears and go for it. Here are a few questions that will help to take the fear out of the process. Insight is always an excellent first step.
1. If you can imagine yourself and your business at the end of 2009, what do you want it to look like and where do you want it to be?
2. What needs to happen in order for that to happen?
3. What obstacles might be in the way of you reaching those goals?
4. What do you need to do to overcome those obstacles?
5. What support do you need to be successful in getting past the obstacles?
6. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to create the business you want?
Great post on goal-setting. Those inner demons – the voices that seem to come from out of nowhere, yet they seem so very compelling – can derail you if you don’t know how to manage them.
I love the way your site weaves business acumen with self-awareness and inspiration.
Thanks so much!
Kaya
You really do a wonderful job of asking the right questions.
These 6 questions are perfect. As you point out, people
need to ask themselves if they are willing to do
whatever it takes to make their business successful.
Whiners and complainers usually are not…and they
wonder why they do not realize their goals.
Very timely information.
Thanks so much!
Deb
Thank you so much for your positive comments. Yes- those inner demons are the worst and the main thing that ever holds me back. Without facing those it’s almost impossible to deal with the nuts and bolts so yes- they do go together. I also enjoyed your website!
Becky
Thanks for your comments. I agree and I think complaining and whining is one strong barrier to moving forward. I remember when I quit complaining the first time and it meant I really had to face my fears. Not fun, but so important.