The obstacles

In a previous post, I have discussed what your greatest obstacle is in achieving goals. Let's discuss three common obstacles. The three common obstacles to achieving goals are self-esteem, self-discipline and critics.

Self-esteem is probably the biggest obstacle because it prevents you from sometimes starting on your path to achieve. If you have low self-esteem it is critical that you do a self-analysis. You must recognize the positive qualities that you possess. You must understand that no one is perfect. You must realize that you are capable of achieving your dream. Think about the things that you have overcome with or without help. You have the ability but you must believe. Everyday you must remind yourself of the positive characteristics that you possess. You are entitled to be happy. You are entitled to achieve.

Self-discipline is probably the hardest for some because it requires you to decide what is important. Self-discipline is about what you think and not how you feel. Once you have decided on what your goal is your discipline will be tested once the enthusiasm has worn off. The self-analysis will also be critical here because it will help to bring about awareness to both your strengths and weaknesses. Writing down your goals, dreams and aspirations will help you stay focused. I suggest writing a personal mission statement that you read everyday. Remember this quote “The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret”.

Critics are probably the most vocal obstacle you will face. Critics challenge your self-esteem and discipline. Critics have no gain on your success or failure yet they have opinions. Read the post about ‘they’ and you will understand how to deal with critics.

These obstacles by no means are all that you will face but they are the most common. To conquer them your first step will be to believe in yourself. You know what you want. The question you have to answer is “Are you willing to be committed to achieving it?” I can tell you that if you are reading this you are headed in the right direction.

Your Vision

What is your goal? How will you achieve it? How will you define your success? These are questions that you must answer for yourself. The answers will establish your vision of where you see yourself at the end of your journey. More importantly, it will change how others see things. How could your vision of achieving your dream change how others see? When you have decided to pursue your goals, you will change. It may be subtle in the beginning but you will change. As you continue to grow and become stronger others will notice your change. You may not be a leader but you will inspire others. They will see the motivation in you. They will see the dedication you have. They will see the desire. They will see through you the power to dream. They will see the ability to succeed. Your vision will change how others see.

Are you ready?

Who aims at excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims at mediocrity will be far short of it - Burmese saying

Are your dreams or goals seemingly unimaginable? Are you expecting to be great? You will always determine how far you go. You will always determine how much you know. You will always determine your success because your thoughts will decide.

Man in The Arena

Man in the Arena

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Teddy Roosevelt

Here again, do not be concern with 'They'. 'They' will never have the courage to do what you do. 'They' will never follow their dreams.

Motivation is the key but success is up to me!

Staying Positive during Adversity

The ability to stay positive under adversity requires three components:

1. A strong desire to achieve your goal
Along with
2. Believing that you will achieve your goal
Will give
3. You confidence to stay the course.

Why not listen to 'Us'?

In a previous post I asked "do you listen to what 'they' say?". Now I'm asking why not listen to 'Us'. First, let's established who 'Us' is. 'Us' is anyone who you know that is supportive of your aspirations. We may not be family or friends. We may be someone who you just met that aspires to be successful, like you.We think like you. We are positive, motivated, inspired and believe. We may be on a path to achieve personal goals. We know how you feel. We may need encouragement as well.  We tell you to follow your dreams because they will become reality. We have the passion for our endeavour just like you have for yours. We are constantly lifting you up when you fall. We are dream believers. We are cheerleaders. We are you. You are Us.

When you are surrounded by like-minded individuals, everyone's energy level will increase. We are all on a path to achieve our goals and dreams. We all believe that we can and will succeed. We all support one another. We all are winners. We are you. You are Us.

So the next time you are in doubt, listen to 'Us'. By listening to 'Us', you are in reality listening to yourself. We are truly one. You believe in you. We believe in you. You believe in Us.

Bad News/Good News

If have some bad news: you have a lifetime to achieve your goals and dreams.

The good news is you have this lifetime to achieve your goals and dreams!

Positive thoughts create positive actions which produce confidence.

Confidence produces positive thoughts. Make every effort to continue the cycle.

A step in the right direction

When you begin working on accomplishing a goal, your energy level is high. The testament of your dedication comes when your movement is slow. Patience becomes your best friend. You can only be patient because of your belief that you will succeed. As long as you consistently fill your mind with positive thoughts any progression you have will supply energy. I have posted before of how progress is a fuel. It truly is because progress increases your energy.You become more motivated and inspired. It all begins though with one word: Believe!

Insurance or Assurance revisited

How can I inspire you to believe in yourself? How can I show you the potential you have? Here is a post that hopefully will help.


A new year begins with the opportunity to set and accomplish your goals. One question that may need some consideration: Do you need Insurance or Assurance in achieving your goal? First, we will define insurance and assurance. Afterwards, we will show how they relate to goal setting and goal achievement.

Mostly everyone has some type of insurance (auto, home, life, etc). The formal definition of Insurance is a promise of compensation for specific potential future losses in exchange for a periodic payment. Insurance is designed to protect the financial well-being of an individual, company or other entity in the case of unexpected loss. In layman’s terms, we have insurance just in case something happens. Hopefully in that situation, the insurance will cover most, if not all, the cost incurred by us. The definition of Assurance is a statement or indication that inspires confidence; a guarantee or pledge; freedom from doubt; certainty; self-confidence.

When it comes to achieving goals, you need Assurance not Insurance. To have a mindset that you need insurance when attempting to pursue your goal shows a sense of self doubt. Having insurance would be the old "well if I cannot do this then I will do that" type of attitude. When it comes to your goals and dreams, you should not be thinking about insurance. Your success is rooted in your belief that you can accomplish your goal. Your belief is that you have the ability to do whatever is needed to accomplish your goal. If you think anyway differently, you will not succeed. If you believe you need an insurance plan just in case you don't succeed, you will be using that insurance plan.

You must believe that you can accomplish your goal. Achieving your goal or dream must be viewed as do or die. You must have a strong appetite for success. Your hunger to achieve your goal must be far greater than your distaste for failure. To think that you need insurance is to think you cannot accomplish your goal. If you have a backup plan just in case you don't reach your goal, I would suggest that you follow your back up plan in the beginning. When you have insurance for achieving your goals or dreams, you are allowing failure to be defeat. Failure is not defeat unless you choose for it to be so.

When you have assurance in yourself, failure is a step towards success. When you have assurance in your abilities, you will be on your way to achievement. I can assure you that you have the ability to achieve your goal. I can assure you that you will accomplish it. I can assure you that even though you may have obstacles (failures) you will persevere. I can assure you that you are great and will be great. All you have to do is believe.

So what will it be: Insurance or Assurance?

Why?

If you have ever had a conversation with a child, they ask the question why constantly. Why do you do this? Why do you do that? Why can I do such and such? Why can't I do such and such? Why can't you do ...? The questions are non-stop. The innocence of a child should remind us to not except answers that do not make sense.

When someone tells you that you cannot achieve a goal, you should ask why? When someone says that a task cannot be done, you should ask why? When someone tells you that you can never be great, you should ask why? As adults we have been conditioned to think that it is what it is. We don't question others only ourselves.

So with that in mind:

Why do you hesitate to pursue your goal?

Why do you not believe in yourself?

Why do you let others dictate what you think and what you do?

Why do you think your dreams are fantasies?

Why are you afraid to fail?

Only you can answer those questions. Only you can be honest with yourself. Only you can change your thinking. It does not matter what I think but I will tell you what I think.

I believe that you can and will achieve your goal.

I believe that you can and will believe in yourself.

I believe that you can and will not let others dictate your thoughts and actions,

I believe that you can and will turn your dreams into realities.

I believe that you can and will let failure be your guide to success.

I believe but if you do not, Why?

Do you listen to what 'They' say?

Many times we fall victim to listening to others instead of ourselves. We often fear criticism from others which can prevent us from pursuing our goals. In the past, I have fallen victim to concern myself about what others think. I have learned that you should not care what others think. The only person that can live your life is you. The only person that can achieve your goals and dreams is you. ‘They’ gain nothing or lose nothing when it comes to your goals. More importantly, “they” are not you. ‘They’ do not see your vision or feel your passion. But who are ‘They’? "They" are typically people you know: family and friends. ‘They’ offer opinions about what you should and should not do when it comes to your dreams. ‘They’ will be quick to tell you that your dream is unreal. ‘They’ will be quick to criticize you if fail. ‘They’ are de-motivators. ‘They’ are dream killers.

If you truly want to achieve your goal or dream, then do it! Do not concern yourself with what ‘They’ think. Believe in yourself and you will be equipped with every tool that you will need to succeed. Do not listen to what ‘They’ say; only listen to what you say. Typically the best supporters are people that you do not even know. I believe that you can achieve your goals. I believe in you. Unfortunately just like ‘They’, it doesn't matter what I think. It only matters what you think. My only hope is that you see what I see in you. I see a winner. I see an achiever. I see a believer. What do you see?