What’s Stopping You?

August 29, 2011 By 17 Comments

I have a simple question for you today…

“What’s stopping you?”

Chances are you know what it is.

It is the thing stopping you from reaching your goals.

It is holding you back from your dreams and from reaching your potential.

Of course, the next question is, “What are you going to do about it?”

What’s Stopping You?

We all have different things that we allow to stop us.

Whether they are real or self-imposed limits, it doesn’t matter.

A brick wall? An obstacle in your way? Or maybe your own anchor holding you down?

“Whether or not these things prevent us from reaching our dreams is up to us.

Because they aren’t really obstacles, but rather choices that we have to make.”

So, what is stopping you?

Stoplights on the Road of Life

When we examine what is holding us back, we often find that our obstacles are really excuses.

Here are just a few of the things that we tell ourselves are stopping us:

  • Not enough time
  • Lack of resources
  • Lack of knowledge
  • Lack of confidence
  • Lack of funds
  • Obstacles in our way
  • Competition ahead of us
  • Lack of effort
  • Lack of energy
  • Lack of motivation
  • Lack of passion
  • Lack of team
  • Lack of friendship
  • Lack of support

Are these really stopping you?

Or are you using them as excuses?

What Do You Let Stop You?

I challenge you to challenge whatever is stopping you.

Get up. Do it. Pay your dues. Stop making excuses.

No one is going to give your dreams to you.

You have to go out and make them happen.

So, what are you going to do about it?

What is stopping you? Please share below, I want to know what is holding you back.

Filed Under: Goals/Motivation
  • http://exciramedia.com/ Shannon Steffen

    Excuses! What’s stopping me is the excuses that I’ve heard and learned growing up, blended with my own excuses and noise. I’ve read autobiographies of some of the most powerful and influential people of all times. They have had to overcome every one of those excuses listed above and yet have succeeded.

    There is a phrase I now live by – quoted from Harry Potter: “Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” Excuses are easy and add the security blanket that allows the excuses to stop us. Choosing what is right may not be easy but, when you finally experience the end result, you realize how it was worth it.

    • TMNinja

      @ShannonSteffen Love the thought Shannon! You are spot on with the “right vs. easy.” ;)

  • ShannonSteffen

    Excuses! What’s stopping me is the excuses that I’ve heard and learned growing up, blended with my own excuses and noise. I’ve read autobiographies of some of the most powerful and influential people of all times. They have had to overcome every one of those excuses listed above and yet have succeeded.

    There is a phrase I now live by – quoted from Harry Potter: “Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” Excuses are easy and add the security blanket that allows the excuses to stop us. Choosing what is right may not be easy but, when you finally experience the end result, you realize how it was worth it.

  • TMNinja

    @ShannonSteffen Love the thought Shannon! You are spot on with the “right vs. easy.” ;)

  • http://www.timokiander.com/ timokiander

    Craig,

    I would say that lack of confidence has been my major issue. However, I feel that things are getting better and better and I’m already doing things which seemed impossible one year ago this time.

    Using excuses = living in your comfort zone :)

    • TMNinja

      @timokiander Yes! I am always amazed how many people want to change their lives… but aren’t willing to “change their lives.”

      If you want it to be different. You have to do different things. And no, they aren’t always comfortable. ;)

  • http://www.timokiander.com/ timokiander

    Craig,

    I would say that lack of confidence has been my major issue. However, I feel that things are getting better and better and I’m already doing things which seemed impossible one year ago this time.

    Using excuses = living in your comfort zone :)

  • Matttanguay

    Hey Craig,

    Well said :-)

    I think you can tackle obstacles on two main levels:

    1) Tactical: What can you DO to remove that obstacle? What do you need to learn? Etc.

    2) Emotional: Usually, there is fear of the obstacles we face. Tony Robbins suggests that we don’t usually lack resources, but resourcefulness. By changing your state of mind (reaching your “peak emotional state”), you can achieve a lot more and do it better.

    Thoughts?

    Matt

    • TMNinja

      @Matttanguay Absolutely, most of the limits we place on our self enforced.

      Here was one of my fav posts: “You Are Stronger Than You Think.”

      http://tmninja.us/mkt6aQ

      • Matttanguay

        @TMNinja Thanks! I just read your other article and commented on it :-) A lot of my success at the gym comes from putting myself in that peak state.When I go out with friends and have a blast, I get close to that state too. Then I am fearless with women and I can approach and start a conversation with any gorgeous woman I meet.The hard part is getting to that ON state. It takes a lot of willpower to push through and unstiffle yourself. Any tips on that?

  • Matttanguay

    Hey Craig,

    Well said :-)

    I think you can tackle obstacles on two main levels:

    1) Tactical: What can you DO to remove that obstacle? What do you need to learn? Etc.

    2) Emotional: Usually, there is fear of the obstacles we face. Tony Robbins suggests that we don’t usually lack resources, but resourcefulness. By changing your state of mind (reaching your “peak emotional state”), you can achieve a lot more and do it better.

    Thoughts?

    Matt

  • Matttanguay

    Hey Craig,

    Well said :-)

    I think you can tackle obstacles on two main levels:

    1) Tactical: What can you DO to remove that obstacle? What do you need to learn? Etc.

    2) Emotional: Usually, there is fear of the obstacles we face. Tony Robbins suggests that we don’t usually lack resources, but resourcefulness. By changing your state of mind (reaching your “peak emotional state”), you can achieve a lot more and do it better.

    Thoughts?

    Matt

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  • TMNinja

    @Matttanguay Absolutely, most of the limits we place on our self enforced.

    Here was one of my fav posts: “You Are Stronger Than You Think.”

    http://tmninja.us/mkt6aQ

  • TMNinja

    @timokiander Yes! I am always amazed how many people want to change their lives… but aren’t willing to “change their lives.”

    If you want it to be different. You have to do different things. And no, they aren’t always comfortable. ;)

  • Matttanguay

    @TMNinja Thanks! I just read your other article and commented on it :-) A lot of my success at the gym comes from putting myself in that peak state.When I go out with friends and have a blast, I get close to that state too. Then I am fearless with women and I can approach and start a conversation with any gorgeous woman I meet.The hard part is getting to that ON state. It takes a lot of willpower to push through and unstiffle yourself. Any tips on that?

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