Part of the goal-setting and planning process is defining the obstacles in your way. When we define the obstacles, we can plan for them and possibly eliminate them.

We need to plan for detours in our roadmap to success, so we do not just give up when we experience resistance or are faced with challenges.

The following are general obstacles that could be applicable to most people. Your list may be more specific to your life and business.

• Fear of Failure – Some people avoid creating clear and challenging goals so they can’t fail.  
• Fear of Success – Some people struggle with the idea of being successful. Many of us have difficulty handling change and this can apply to positive change as much as negative change.  
• Our Belief System – If we believe planning doesn’t work and it’s a waste of time, then it will not work! Also, if we believe we cannot achieve our goals, we won’t.
• Fear of Taking Risk – People can be afraid of making the wrong choice, especially if there is great risk involved. Sometimes, a leap of faith is required to achieve our goals and this can immobilize people at times.
• Conditioning – We may not have been taught how to set and achieve goals. We may need to put extra effort into developing this new habit.
• Driven to Distraction – Disorganization and lack of focus can be huge obstacles to goal achievement. It is important to eliminate distractions as much as possible and focus all of our time on what matters most.
• Lack of Rewards – Lack of instant gratification and instant results can de-motivate us. We can celebrate even small achievements, to renew our interest in achieving our goals over the long-term.
• Uncertainty – At times, we fear the unknown because we risk not being in control.
• Insufficient resources. 
• Crisis mode management and a reactive mindset – You may be preoccupied with problems and firefighting.  
• Inclined to overlook shortcomings. You may overestimate your ability or the difficulty of the goal.
• Poor Time Management & Project Planning – You may lack a system.
• Past Mistakes – Negative emotions resulting from past mistakes can derail us from trying to achieve our goals.
• Lack of Clarity – Confuse Urgent and Important Tasks. You may have an inability to prioritize amongst competing priorities.  
• Self-sabotage – All distractions are self-sabotage at some level 

This list seems exhaustive, but they boil down to one common problem – FEAR.

The ironic thing is that we plan as a method of overcoming fear, but it causes so many people to resist it or possibly they create a plan and don’t even attempt to follow through with it.

In overcoming resistance to goal setting, planning, and goal achievement, we must first see what part we play and stop repeating negative thought patterns behaviors that get in the way of success.