Don’t Let Obstacles Set You Back with Your Goal, Plan for Them

Key Takeaways:

• Be aware of possible obstacles — both ones you create and in your surroundings.
• Make plan ways to overcome them.

No matter how small, big, straightforward or complicated a goal is, there will always be a chance to run into an obstacle that could hinder you. Yes, you must be optimistic about meeting your goals, but you have to be pragmatic because you will most likely run into setbacks. Thus, it is better to be aware of these setbacks and prepare for them.

Two renowned researchers, Edwin Locke and Gray Latham, recognized the importance of having resilience when you run into such obstacles. They also feel it is essential for identifying those obstacles before starting toward any goal.

Before we delve too deeply into planning for possible obstacles, we need to identify the types.

First off, there are the obstacles you create on your own. Examples include:

• Fear of failure
• Fear of what others might think
• Lack of self-efficacy (belief you do not have the abilities and skills to accomplish the goal)
• Procrastination
• Self-doubt

We have to be aware of our own thoughts and shortcomings that may get in the way of reaching our goals. You have to visualize yourself being successful in your endeavors. If you do not, that is when your self-doubt can creep in and create barriers.

Your surroundings or environment can also interfere with goals, such as:

• Your daily routine, especially deadlines and tasks that take priority over your goal
• Your office or home environment
• People that give bad advice or do not believe in you

After you have identified a goal that is measurable and attainable, you need to plan for obstacles. You do this by thinking of every possible scenario, even worst-case, that could interfere and how you plan to overcome the issue.

For example, maybe you have decided to eat healthier this year. Possible obstacles could be craving junk food when at home or a friend that offers you something to eat that is unhealthy. You can avoid these obstacles by not having any junk food at the house. You throw away or give away any that is at the house, and you do not purchase any more.

As far as friends are concerned, explain your goal to them and how you hope they will support you. Making this request not only eliminates them as an obstacle but now makes you accountable to them for achieving success.

In review, you need to:

• Create an attainable, measurable goal
• Find someone you can be accountable for achieving it
• Identify and create a plan of attack for any possible obstacle that may be a barrier to you completing the goal
• Get started

These few extra steps will make a big difference in you reaching your goal!

References 

Gollwittzer, P., & Oettingen, G. (2011). Planning Promotes Goal Striving. In Handbook of Self-Regulation: Research, Theory and Applications (pp. 162–180). New York, NY: The Guildford Press.

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2013). New developments in goal setting and task performance. New York: Routledge.