Living your best life is a journey that requires self-reflection, self-awareness, and a willingness to overcome obstacles that hold you back from achieving your goals.

It's a process that involves asking yourself tough questions, identifying patterns that limit your potential, and taking action to overcome them.

In this short article, let's explore some common obstacles that hold you back from living your best life and provide practical tips on overcoming them.

Fear of Failure

The fear of failure is a common obstacle that keeps many people from achieving their goals. It's a natural human instinct to avoid disappointment, but it can also be a limiting belief that prevents you from taking risks and pursuing your dreams. Reframing your mindset is critical if you avoid setting ambitious or challenging goals because of fear of failure. Instead of focusing on the outcome, focus on the process of achieving your goals. Celebrate small wins along the way and learn from your mistakes. Remember that failure is not the opposite of success; it's part of the journey.

There's no sunshine without rain.

Avoidance of Discomfort

Another common obstacle that holds people back from living their best life is the avoidance of discomfort. Growth often comes from discomfort or pain, but many people avoid it because it's uncomfortable. If you find yourself avoiding discomfort, it's time to challenge yourself. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and embrace the pain. Whether trying a new hobby (boxing for me...), taking on a new challenge at work, or pushing yourself during a workout, embrace the discomfort and see it as an opportunity for growth.

Fear of Being Disliked

Fear of being disliked is another common obstacle that prevents people from living their best lives. It's natural to want to be liked, but it can also be a limiting belief that prevents you from being your authentic self. If you find yourself holding back from sharing your true feelings, having tough conversations, or setting healthy boundaries because you're afraid of being disliked, it's time to reframe your mindset. Remember that you can't please everyone, and that's okay. Focus on being true to yourself and surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.

97% of people I know act like they want to be admired, causing them a ton of trouble in their personal and professional lives.

Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is another common obstacle that prevents people from living their best lives. It's easy to fall into the trap of negative self-talk, but it can also be self-fulfilling and limit your potential. If you engage in negative self-talk, it's time to reframe your mindset. Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths. Celebrate your accomplishments and practice self-compassion. Remember that you can achieve your goals and thoughts and beliefs shape your reality.

People will immediately find an excuse, saying: "But how can I avoid negative self-talk if I do not have accomplishments?" .... well this comes from getting out of your comfort zone.

A surplus in effort can eliminate a lack of confidence.

Lack of Commitment

Getting excited about a new goal or project is easy, but it's much harder to follow through and stay committed. If you lack commitment, it's time to develop a clear plan with a timeline. Break your goal down into smaller, manageable steps and set deadlines for each step (divide & conquer). Hold yourself accountable and seek support from others. Remember that commitment is a choice and that you have the power to choose to stay committed.

Underestimating the Difficulty of Achieving Your Goals

Finally, underestimating the difficulty of achieving your goals is another common obstacle that holds people back from living their best lives. Setting lofty goals without fully understanding the time, effort, and resources required to achieve them is easy. If you underestimate the difficulty of attaining your goals, it's time to do your research. Talk to others who have achieved similar goals, seek expert advice, and develop a realistic plan with a timeline. Remember that achieving your goals takes time and hard work, but the rewards are worth it.

Living your best life requires identifying and overcoming obstacles that hold you back from achieving your goals. By facing your fears, seeking support from others, developing a clear plan with a timeline, anticipating challenges, and being patient with the process, you can unlock your full potential and live your best life. Remember that achieving your goals takes time, hard work and discipline, but the rewards are worth it.

Start today by asking yourself tough questions, identifying patterns that limit your potential, and taking action to overcome them.

Would you be happy if your 80-year-old me could see you right now?