In our previous posts, we’ve covered how to use your values to set goals and charting your course to make progress on those goals. But, we frequently encounter obstacles that interfere with our ability to make progress. As part of your planning, think about potential obstacles before you encounter them, so you can also make a plan to deal with them. These may be internal obstacles (such as your own beliefs or thoughts) or external obstacles that interfere. For example, if you decide to focus on the value of staying healthy and strong, but you also believe in putting your family first, you may have difficult prioritizing the time you need to exercise (internal obstacle), or if something comes up at work, you may have to meet a deadline, rather than spending time at the gym (external obstacle). What will you do if you encounter one of these challenges? Make a plan in advance to deal with some of the more common challenges you are likely to face, so you are well-prepared. And, you are likely to come up with unexpected challenges as well. If so, revisit your subgoals if needed and come up with a new plan.
In the next post, we’ll review the process and talk about implementing steps to continue meeting your goals and living your values.