Becoming Mentally Strong: Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Your Goals

International best-selling author, psychotherapist, and speaker Amy Morin explores how to cultivate mental strength in her work. She stands out as one of the top 15 speakers on the TED Talk platform.

Amy Morin has guided many people to reach their goals by identifying common obstacles that hinder success. In her book, “How to Overcome the 9 Most Common Obstacles that Prevent People from Living Their Dreams,” she emphasizes a crucial point: before you can change your life, you must believe that change is possible.

Believing in Change

Approaching weight loss as something you desire is important, but belief plays a vital role. If you doubt your ability to achieve and maintain your weight loss goals, success will likely elude you. Many individuals have struggled with weight loss repeatedly, and the idea of sustainable change feels out of reach.

To successfully navigate any goal, it’s essential to recognize and avoid common traps that can derail your progress.

Common Traps to Avoid

Let’s delve into the nine most common obstacles and see if they resonate with you.

1. Putting Your Goals Off Until Someday

“Someday” lacks a spot on the calendar. You need to define a clear start date for your journey toward your goals. This decision creates a dividing line between your old self and the new path ahead. A specific start date helps you visualize what you’re leaving behind and what lies ahead. Don’t just dream about reaching your goal; make the commitment to start now or at least decide when you will.

2. Waiting to Take Action Until You ‘Feel’ Ready

Who truly feels ready to make a change? If you wait for that feeling, you might be in for a long wait. Emotions are unpredictable and should not be your motivation. Change your behavior first; the feelings of readiness will likely follow. Take action, and you’ll cultivate the determination to keep moving forward.

3. Not Anticipating Tough Times

Many prefer to avoid thinking about potential challenges. Yet, this mindset can leave you unprepared and disillusioned when difficulties arise. If you’re transitioning from dieting to a healthier lifestyle, you will face challenges. Acknowledge that tough times are part of the journey, but don’t let fear hold you back. Create a strategy in advance. Think about possible pitfalls and develop a plan to navigate them. Being prepared boosts your confidence in overcoming temptations.

4. Viewing Mistakes as Failure

This is a significant obstacle! Progress rarely follows a straight path. A single setback doesn’t mean you’ve returned to square one. Embracing this mindset prevents you from giving up prematurely. Recognize that mistakes happen; it’s natural. Instead of labeling yourself a failure, redirect your mental energy toward devising a plan to get back on track.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we will explore the remaining five common obstacles that prevent people from living their dreams. By understanding and overcoming these challenges, you can enhance your mental strength and work toward achieving your goals. Remember, belief in your ability to change is the first step toward success!