Removing Obstacles to Reaching
Your Goals
Suppose you know what you want and you are on the
right track to accomplishing your goals. Without warning, you
suddenly face an obstacle that blocks your progress. And then
it is difficult to remain focused and energetic. If you do
nothing about the obstacles that arise, they can sap your energy,
your time, and your enthusiasm. Consider these three
common obstacles:
Which is your
greatest obstacle to achieving your goals? On a scale of 1-10
(10 is high), how much of an obstacle is this for you? ______
Coaching is a resource for you to change your behavior to reduce or
remove this obstacle to your success.
Key
Ideas for Removing Obstacles to Reaching YOUR Goals:
Discomfort With Risk
-
Identify the size and probability of risk.
-
Identify the benefits of taking risk and succeeding.
-
Focus on a reasoned standard, not perfection.
Fear of
Failure
-
What is your perception of failure?
-
Define your fear in specific, measurable language.
-
Look for potential problems and identify remedial action.
Discomfort
with Change
-
Seek change
-
Schedule change
-
Un-pattern yourself.
Sample Strategies for Removing
3 Common Obstacles:
Identify the Size and Probability of Risk.
Consider using the matrix below to assess the size and probability
of risk. The value it to take a reasoned approach to the
allocation of your resources. You determine whether the risk
is significant enough to apply time, energy, creativity, and/or
dollars to resolving or reducing it.
| |
Low - 1 |
Medium
- 2 |
High -
3 |
|
Size of
Risk |
|
|
|
| |
Low - 1 |
Medium
- 2 |
High -
3 |
|
Probability of risk |
|
|
|
Scoring: The higher your score,
the more attention you will give to resolving or minimizing the
risk. A lower score suggests that the risk is not great and
that you can conserve time and energy for other matters.
There are several strategies to use for increasing your comfort
level and managing the risk you associate with your goals:
-
Specify the risk you associate with the
particular goal under consideration. Identify how large that
risk really is. If its potential impact is low, then the risk
is likely minimal.
-
Determine the probability of that risk
occurring. Is it very likely, somewhat likely, or not very
likely at all? unless the probability of occurrence is fairly
high, your energy and time are better spent addressing higher-risk
issues.
-
Identify the benefits that accrue from taking
the risk and succeeding. After you determine the probability
and degree of the risk, you may decide that the anticipated benefits
outweigh the potential disadvantages.
-
Once you identify the probability and impact of
the risk, and the benefits of pursuing the goal, there may be added
advantage of seeking input from a friend, trusted advisor, or a
personal coach. Please call (269) 408-1525 for a FREE
15-minute phone consultation to determine if
you and Susan are a match for working together on your goals.
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Removing Obstacles list
Focus on a reasoned standard, not
perfection. Remember that each of us has two
precious but limited resources. They are:
-
Our
Time
-
Our
Energy
We need to focus on the best use of these
resources. Most of the time, the best use does not include
perfection. We need to determine the level of quality that is
important to achieve...then move on! Pursuing
perfection wastes resources because:
-
Rarely
can perfection be achieved.
-
In
working with others, goals often change, thereby changing the
standard.
-
Pursuing perfection absorbs time and energy needed in other areas.
-
The
drive for perfection often creates conflict. Yes, we often
need to establish high standards of quality, but we need to balance
the allocation of our resources as well.
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What
is your perception of failure?
Here are four specific strategies to help you rethink your
perspective on failure:
-
Confront your fear of failure. Why do you feel this way?
Is this particular fear justified? If it is, what can you do
to eliminate or reduce your fear?
-
Look
at your failure from a new perspective. Failing to reach a
goal does not make you a failure. It means that you did not
reach that goal.
-
Working toward a goal includes taking specific steps.
Although you may fail to reach the goal, there are benefits of
having worked toward it. One benefit is the practical
education of making the effort. Another is the opportunity to
practice specific skills. A third is the recognition that
meeting some goals and failing to meet others is part of the ebb and
flow of life.
-
Recognize that you probably not achieve significant goals without
some set backs. Set backs provide unique learning
opportunities that ultimately contribute to your personal growth and
to your organizational contribution.
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Define
your fear in specific, measurable language.
-
So often, we speak in absolute terms. It
is valuable to be specific about what creates fear for us. For
example, instead of, "I am afraid of making a presentation," define
the who, what, when, where and why of your fear to the best of your
ability. "I fear making presentations when my boss or peers
are in the group" or "I fear making presentations on technical
topics when others in the room may know as more or more than I do on
the subject."
-
Another concern is that we build fear by using
Junk Talksm. Junk Talk includes thoughts or
conversations that diminish instead of replenish. Examples
related to our fear of failure may include:
~ Comparing ourselves to others
~ Using "I can't" in our thinking
~ Using absolute words such as always, never, absolutely,
completely, and totally. these words create unrealistic
perceptions.
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Removing Obstacles list
Look
for potential problems and identify remedial action.
When we set goals, it's important, as part of planning, to consider:
What could go wrong? Where might there be a problem? To
invest a portion of time and energy to identify remedial action on
potential problems gives us greater control over outcomes and builds
confidence that we can respond to problems in a rational manner
rather than reacting to the unexpected. As a result, our fear
of failure is lessened.
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Discomfort With Change Change is
uncomfortable for many of us, even when we know it is for the
better. Change means letting go of what is familiar. When we
do that, we face the challenge of coping with new ideas and
situations. But as much as we may resist change, it won't be
stopped. Our challenge is to accept that change is inevitable,
so that our resources are used in a valuable way. Working
against change is often stressful, while working with and through
change is a source of energy and greater strength. When you
strive toward new goals, often you must change in some way.
Seek Change. When you choose to look for change, you
will feel a greater sense of control over what is happening to you.
For example, you could seek change by asking for feedback on your
performance. Use phrases such as, "I'd like feedback on..." or
"Specifically, what are two things that would help me improve..."
Schedule Change. If you can, experience change
gradually. Often, you can schedule some of the changes that
are inevitable. Un-Pattern Yourself.
Start thinking of yourself as someone who looks forward to change.
Why not start by making a powerful change today? Call (269)
408-1525 for a FREE 15-minute phone consultation to determine if
you and Susan are a match for working together on your goals.
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