Let’s assume you already know your God-given purpose and you’re living in line with your core values. Awesome.
To joyfully pursue your most purposeful path, you also need to know which roadblocks could keep you from success!
You must be keenly aware of those potential barriers so you can pro-actively prevent them from blocking your progress.
So what are they — these roadblocks that could cause you and your business to come to a screeching halt?
I’ll share with you three barriers that have tried their darnedest to block my progress over the years.
Low Energy Could Keep You From Success
Tell me if this sounds familiar.
You have tons of creative ideas but lack the stamina you need to implement them. You toss and turn at night then have trouble performing at optimum levels the next day.
- You don’t eat well.
- You don’t exercise regularly.
- You’re tired!!
When it finally dawned on me that I was no longer performing at my best, I hired a Vitality Mentor who guided me to renewed vibrancy and wellness by encouraging me to change my diet and drink more water throughout the day.
I also joined our local Y and made a commitment to attend at least three cardio or strength classes a week.
Just a few changes and that barrier is down!
We’ve got to be pro-active.
Low Self-Esteem Could Keep You From Success
OK. You know what it’s like to be successful.
Perhaps as a mom, a corporate exec, a lawyer. But as a work-from-home entrepreneur? Not so much.
You start to doubt your ability to make a difference AND a profit.
It’s all about mindset and mentoring in my opinion.
You need to transform your limiting beliefs into positive affirmations (and you need a coach or a mentor you admire to help stay the course).
“... Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)
Only then will you be able to discern and carry out God’s will for your life.
Only then will you be able to achieve success.
Lack of Passion Could Keep You From Success
As entrepreneurs, we’ve got to be excited about our work.
We’re certain to have business-related duties and responsibilities that don’t thrill us. We either need to “outsource” those duties or we need to perform them ourselves with a positive attitude.
The majority of our work, however, must make excellent use of our natural talents and abilities.
The work we do most of the time must be something we enjoy.
Do you enjoy speaking? Speak!
Do you enjoy writing? Write!
Be sure to weave speaking and writing into each week if not each day.
And be sure you speak and write on topics that genuinely interest you.
Makes sense, right?
Be Proactive!
Don’t let life “just happen” to you. Don’t let your business “just happen” either.
- Surround yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs who want to see you succeed.
- Join a group like Peak Performance!
- Hire a mentor or a coach.
- Work with a business owner who’s “been there.”
It’s incredibly hard to bust through your roadblocks by yourself–whatever they may be.
Your first step is to identify which roadblocks could keep you from success.
Your second step is to tear down each barrier one at a time.
How about you?
- Which roadblocks are keeping you from success?
- What are you doing to tear down those roadblocks once and for all?
Thank you for taking a moment to share your answers in the comment box below.
Be sure to listen to my Work With Jory video if you find yourself struggling alone.
To your ongoing success!
Thanks Jory for this post. One of the barriers I have had to break though (and it still comes up once in a while) is the barrier of low self esteem. Life can knock us back on our butts once in a while, and it is important to dust ourselves off and get back up again.
I have this quote by Mary Anne Radmacher on my fridge:” What if we just acted like everything was easy?”
Nice quote!!! Yeah…. that self-esteem dragon can raise its ugly head from time to time. We just have to get back up on our horse and slay it!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Sigrid. I appreciate you!
Warmly,
Jory
Hi Jory
Procrastination and low confidence are my biggest roadblocks. I know I can do something but then I tell myself I can’t and my confidence holds me back. I have read all the books on changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts but sometimes is just doesn’t work.
You’re not alone, Linda. It’s easy to get down on ourselves and compare ourselves to others. What helps is to surround ourselves with people who are on a similar journey — including people who possess the confidence we presently lack — and to ENJOY the journey with them.
As Henri Nouwen says, “We are good enough to do what we are called to do.” Amen!
Wouldn’t you say that most of the ‘roadblocks’ as you call them come from inside our heads and are not ‘real’ in a tangible way? I believe it takes at least one year of positivity to overcome every ten years of ‘beat down’ that one may have experienced in life, that is, be patient…..overcoming doesn’t happen instantly.
Keen insight, Rachel. Your comment reminds me of the saying that it takes nine positive comments to balance out one negative comment. (I think the number needs to be even higher!)
We can be our own worst enemies, sad to say.
Time to get those roadblocks out of our heads so we can continue on a purposeful and profitable journey!
Learning from seasoned veterans like you and Eric Walker makes my journey a little simpler. Thanks Jory for leading the way to overcoming roadblocks to success.
Carla, how lovely of you! Thank you so much for dropping by and sharing such a warm sentiment. You’re doing great! It’s quite a journey, isn’t it?
Onward and upward,
Jory
So, so true, Jory! I agree with Rachel’s comment too that these are not really “real” roadblocks because we can help ourselves get over them. For me, accountability with the “right” people (because it is possible to surround yourself with the wrong folks) is key to my attitude staying right. And also time in God’s Word. When I am away from either one of these, I can get down on myself and lose momentum.
Me too, Bonnie. Me too.
God’s Word is the anchor that keeps us grounded in faith.
The Holy Spirit is the wind that helps us soar like eagles.
Surrounding ourselves with purpose-guided, like-minded people (including people who will hold us accountable for our actions) is what helps us keep moving forward day after day after day.
People like you, Bonnie.
Thank you!
Ouch! Jory you have sharp heels when you step on one’s feet.
Actually, I really appreciate this post.
You inspired me to get out of my chair, walk across the office and down an entire bottle of water. I just bought a case of water this morning at Costco so that I would have it available in my office.
Something I’m struggling with right now, is that I know what I’m good at and what I enjoy doing the most, but I don’t have the staff to support the weaker side of me. So, I’m trying to do the things I don’t really enjoy doing… and I’m looking forward to the day when our company is more stable and able to support me in doing what I most enjoy.
Thanks for the great post!!!
-Martin
So you like my stilettos, Martin?
I’m pretty consistent with my water intake anyway, but I’m excited to say I just discovered two “fizzy drinks” that I’m enjoying for variety: Canada Dry’s orange-flavored seltzer water (yum!) and a magnesium-packed powder rather ironically called Calm. (Actually more magnesium does help you sleep better.) I’ve had Calm in hot water before, which is tasty. Mixing it with ice cold water though is downright invigorating!
Staff support. So good to have yet challenging to come by for many reasons. Consider reading The Entrepreneur’s Trap by Tina Forsyth. She definitely knows what she’s talking about!
Martin, what do you enjoy doing the most as a business owner?