Writers 
Not Doing the Inner Work
We typically think of goal-achievement as an external process. We are here at Point A, and we want to move to Point B. While we do indeed make external changes, we also need to remember that we become a different person through the achievement of our goals. Therefore, we will undergo an internal adjustment even as we’re making external transitions.
How does this pose a challenge?
If you don’t prepare yourself for the new circumstances you’re trying to create, you won’t be mentally and emotionally ready to handle them.
Let’s use an example to expand on this idea. Imagine that your goal is to lose 50 pounds.
If you simply focus on “losing weight,” you’ll overlook the fact that you gained weight in the first place because of specific reasons– and you’ll be tempted to gain it all back unless you make some inner changes.
Doing some inner work might reveal that you gained weight because of low self-esteem, believing that you don’t deserve time for self-care, or emotional vulnerability. You can bet that these kinds of beliefs need to be resolved– or they will keep limiting your ability to lose weight, keep it off and live a happier life.
The same thing happens with other types of goals. You can set a goal to be more successful in business, but if you don’t first understand what has limited your success thus far, you might simply repeat the cycle at a later time. Do you have trouble believing in your own abilities? Are you afraid of taking risks? Do you have a fear of selling that limits how much you promote your products and services?
Addressing these underlying issues may make the difference between failure and success.
One of the most effective strategies I’ have found for this challenge is to consider the qualities you’d need to handle the achievement of your goal, and begin building them now.
For example, if your goal is greater business success, ask yourself what qualities a successful business person would have– such as confidence, courage, creativity, flexibility, and so on. Once you’ve got a list of these qualities, begin developing them within yourself. Practice being more confident and courageous, express your creative side more often, work on being flexible as often as possible, etc.
If your goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, consider why you haven’t been living such a lifestyle until now. Do you have trouble believing that you deserve to be healthy and happy? Does much of your diet consist of “comfort food” that covers emotional issues you could be resolving in a healthier way? If you work on these inner issues while you’re also doing the outer work, your chances of lasting success will double.
One thing that seems to work surprisingly well for me is choosing to enjoy the challenge. Rather than mentally whining that “it’s too hard,” I engage in some self-talk like this, “I thrive on challenges. Bring it on, I can handle this, no problem!
No pain, no gain! I refuse to give up!”
Use whatever phrases work for you, but the idea is to convince yourself that you have what it takes to push through any difficulties. Often, just believing you do is enough to make it so.
If you’re really struggling and unable to talk yourself into believing it’s easier, try focusing on ONE tiny aspect of your goal.
Every goal will probably have numerous action steps that you’ll take each day as you work toward it, but trying to do all of them at once might prove overwhelming.
If that’s the case, try doing just ONE of the action steps until it gets easier. Then add another one, and another, until you are successful.