I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I launched my website. I don’t say that lightly. A few years ago it was just a thought. I knew I wanted a platform to inspire and motivate others into action.
But, I just couldn’t get past the thought. I put it off and off and off. My dream was just that…a dream. Until one day, I decided to just do it. Maybe, you’re just like me. You have a desire in your heart. You think about it all the time. However, there is something that won’t let you act on it. I get it, taking the first step isn’t easy, especially when you have obstacles in your way.
Because I don’t want anything to block you from your blessing and pursuing your dream, I want to share something with you. I have identified five obstacles that cause us to talk ourselves out of pursuing our dreams. If you can overcome these, you’re that much closer to fulfilling your destiny.
1. Comfort Zone
If you want to be an entrepreneur or leader, you must learn to leave your comfort zone and embrace change. We love to stay with what we know. I will tell you something funny. Shortly after getting married, my husband said to me. “You will be standing up speaking and motivating people.” I said, “no way! Not me, the introvert.” By nature, I prefer inspiring women from behind my nail table. That was comfortable to me. I had been a manicurist for years, and the thought of standing up speaking in front of others scared me because it was different from what I’d become accustomed to. I put it off for years, even though I knew in my spirit that God was trying to shift me to a new level.
“Take baby steps. Don’t let complacency keep you locked in a comfort zone.”
2. Comparing Yourself to Others
They’re there. We see them all over Facebook, Instagram and Twitter…social media celebrities! You see others already doing the very same thing you want to do. You start to compare yourself to how well they are doing. You begin to think you are not as good or smart enough. Comparing yourself to others and attempting to imitate them will confuse you and cause the seed of doubt to take root in your confidence.
“Be Authentic and just be you, no one else can beat you at being yourself.”
3. Fear of Failure
We all are afraid of something. It’s human nature. The fear of failure is one of the most known obstacles holding people back from achieving their dreams. This fear keeps people from trying new things and taking risks. For example, I have never ever been successful at dieting, so I don’t diet and until recently, I didn’t believe in gym memberships. I realized that it wasn’t that I didn’t like the two. Truth was I didn’t like to commit because of the fear of failure.
“Failure is part of success.” ~Hank Aaron
4. Perfectionism
Are you one of those people who need to have it all figured out before you take action? Do you have to make sure that you dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s? I can so relate. It took me years to launch my “Forgive Yourself” shirts. I thought everything had to be perfect. So, guess what? I started over-thinking everything, which led to me doing absolutely nothing.
“Strive for progress not perfection.”
5. Procrastination
Hanging around in the comfort zone, comparing yourself to others, the fear of failure, and perfectionism will lead you to procrastination. Procrastination is simply putting off doing what you need to do today for tomorrow. Unfortunately, for most people tomorrow never comes.
When tasks seem too difficult…you procrastinate!
Thoughts of not being good enough…you procrastinate!
When fear is present…you procrastinate!
It has to be perfect…you procrastinate!
When you procrastinate, you put your dreams on hold. You make excuses and end up always waiting for tomorrow. Well, I have a confession. Procrastination has been one of my biggest obstacles to overcome. Meanwhile, as I’m waiting for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall together, someone else is taking action doing the very thing I know I’m should to be doing.
“Commit to action, one-step at a time. Just do it!”
Declaration: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:13