Why You Need To Get Out Of Your Own Way To Succeed

I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching recently. I’ve always been a big goal setter, driven, ambitious, big plans, grand schemes, tons of creative ideas and a stack of determination.

While this has certainly got me far in life it hasn’t gotten me to where I want to be. Why not? Because setting goals, even backed up by plans, is not going to make you successful unless you have a mindset shift.

You need to create real purpose for your goals and associate pleasure with reaching them and pain with not. It’s not enough to just set goals and look at them every so often.

You have to get really clear on why you want to achieve them. What is their purpose? And even more importantly, how will you feel when you’ve achieved them?

Why do goals fail?

There are a number of reasons, but here are the top four:

1. We don’t commit to them fully and take them seriously
2. We don’t review them regularly and so forget about them
3. We don’t recognize the power purposeful goals have on our lives
4. We don’t create inspiring or compelling goals that we actually want to achieve

But if you come from a place of desire – desire to create meaningful goals with purpose – you will manifest everything you dream about. Sound a little kooky to you? Well let me ask you this – is doing what you’ve always been doing to date working for you?

If not, then I suggest you embrace the above and make the changes necessary to succeed.

How do you make real change happen?

First off, tell that voice in your head to take a time out. You won’t be needing it. While you’re at it, tell the naysayers in your life who think they’re being supportive to push off and leave you to be remarkable.

The first step is getting clear on what you wish to create in your life so you can get out of your own way and leap into your dream life. To do this, you have to create the perfect space for you to do your best work and be your best self.

You need to take 30 minutes to de-clutter the space where you work. If you work remotely like me, you need to find one to two cafes or outdoor spots that make you feel juiced – energized, focused, and alive.

Don’t forget to make your home environment a place of calm too. Get rid of those piles of crap lying around the house, in your living spaces. Sweep off paper, take down post-it notes you’re not looking at. Get rid of clutter and go minimalist. You’ll be surprised what a difference this makes to your sense of well being and mental clarity.

Also, make space in your schedule. Don’t schedule in meetings for the sake of it. Block out large blocks during your most creative time of the day where you will not add in listening to webinars, being on calls, following up with someone who just wants to `chat.’

This is called avoidance. Filling up your day so that you’re busy is actually masking the problem at hand – that you’re unhappy and not focusing on the real important work – maybe because it’s scary, maybe because it’s hard but also because it’s going to push you to be remarkable.

Reminder to self: You’ll have a hard time getting out of your own way if you’re too busy.

Now set those goals

The reason you set your goals each year is because you’re not happy with your life. Think about it, why set goals if you’re happy with where you’re at?

Use that dissatisfaction to move you towards your goals. Take advantage of it. Pressure and tension can be really great feelings to have if you learn how to use them.

In fact learning to use them in goal setting is absolutely critical to your success. When you clearly define what it is you want and you see that you’re not there it cause this reaction in your mind that makes you create change.

Here’s a great metaphor to illustrate this:

Pressure is how diamonds are created. They start as a rock that got put under intense pressure and as a result they’re turned into a precious gem.

The only way to succeed is to demand more of yourself than others expect of you.

Use pressure to your advantage, follow through and get the results you want.

Use people who will hold you accountable to your goals too. We all know how important this is. Seek out the right accountability partners for each area of your life – health, finance, marketing, sales – whatever it is you need.

Finally here’s Anthony Robbins, a shining example of success through goals, top tips on goal setting:

1. Set goals no less than twice a year
2. Review them no less than once a month
3. Review your top goals daily

Now get out of your own way and go and make history!

Natalie Sisson is the founder of WomanzWorld – a site devoted to women entrepreneurs wanting to create freedom in business and adventure in life. Read more about Natalie here.

Natalie Sisson

Natalie Sisson is the founder of the Suitcase Entrepreneur – the number one destination for entrepreneurs wanting to create freedom in business and adventure in life. Her mission is to ensure you use social media, outsourcing and online tools to be able to run your business from anywhere in the world and create the lifestyle you want. A Kiwi Entrepreneur and adventurer, Natalie previously co-founded a technology company that produced FundRazr – a Social Commerce Application for Facebook. She has 9 years of international integrated marketing experience and is also a Social Media evangelist and personal trainer for businesses. She’s a nominee for Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, a contributor to Forbes, The Visa Business Network and Entrepreneurial Woman.ca. In addition, Natalie is a Regional Body Sculpting Champion, a World Record holder in Dragon Boating and a Gold Medal World Beach Ultimate Frisbee player.