So far in this series, we’ve explored what you want, setting goals, and understanding why they matter. Now, it’s time to identify the roadblocks—what’s stopping you from making the changes you want in your life?
In previous articles, we discussed the habit loop—how cues lead to routine, which leads to reward. I believe that good mental health is built on a foundation of beneficial habits: eating well, sleeping well, exercising, and so on.
It all sounds so simple. So why aren’t we all living balanced, healthy lives? Because we often set up roadblocks to our own progress. One of the biggest hurdles is how we identify with our current state of being—the I am of I am. I am overweight. I am unfit. I am a nervous auditioner.
The Power of “I Am”
The verb to be can be a significant obstacle. In mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), we learn to separate the observing I from the I that identifies with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When we say, I am nervous when I go on stage, we reinforce the belief that change isn’t possible.
Identify the Roadblocks
Some obstacles are practical: lack of time, money, or skills. If a practical barrier exists, the key is to integrate overcoming it into your overall plan. Let’s say an actor’s goal is I want to be more confident at auditions. One of the biggest challenges is the belief that they are a nervous auditioner.
This is where cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH) can help. Through CBH techniques, we identify the thoughts and beliefs that fuel negative stories and develop strategies to remove those roadblocks. One key aspect of this is recognizing the messages your inner hypnotist repeats—the habitual negative beliefs that reinforce your current state. Because these beliefs are habits, they can be changed.
Once we identify these messages—especially the specific language you use internally—we can craft positive alternatives. Over time, these new patterns of thought replace the old ones, helping you move toward your goal.
The Practical vs. The Psychological
When considering what’s stopping you, ask: Is this a material issue (money, time, skill), or is it a belief that I can’t succeed? If it’s material, identify a strategy to work around it.
There are no shortcuts. The journey takes as long as it takes. But every step forward is progress.
Overcoming Obstacles: A Problem-Solving Framework
At its core, W5 is a framework designed to help identify obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them. Let’s break down some common challenges:
1. Practical Concerns
The most common roadblock is financial. Very few of us are born into privilege; most of us have to work to pay rent, buy food, and support ourselves. Sometimes, financial constraints make goals feel out of reach. However, adversity often leads to opportunity.
If circumstances require you to take a different route, that doesn’t mean the destination is impossible—it just means the path may be different than you originally envisioned. Flexibility is key. Insisting that there is only one way to achieve your goal is itself a major obstacle. This is what’s known as a fixed mindset. A rigid approach can be the biggest roadblock of all.
2. Perfectionism
Another common mental roadblock is the belief that unless you can do something perfectly, it isn’t worth doing at all. Writers call this writer’s block—the fear of the blank page. It’s easier to write nothing than to write something imperfect.
But perfectionism is just another excuse. The only way forward is to take action, however imperfect.
3. Fear of Failure
Fear—of the unknown, of failure, of being judged—is one of the biggest psychological roadblocks. As we’ve discussed before, we often identify with stories about ourselves. I’m not lucky. No one thinks I’m good enough.
These beliefs feel definitive, but they are simply stories we tell ourselves. The reality is, fear and anxiety are normal emotions when facing the unknown. Our brain perceives risk where none exists—anticipating tigers and lions in the cave when, in reality, there is no danger.
4. Challenging Limiting Beliefs
Another way to identify the roadblocks is to ask yourself, What if things were different? This aligns with Stanislavski’s magic if in acting—How would it be if this imaginary set of circumstances were true?
So, let’s apply it here: How would it be if you were already living the life you want?
This reframing helps shift focus from fear to possibility. It’s not about pretending obstacles don’t exist—it’s about recognizing that they can be overcome.
5. Screwing Your Courage to the Sticking Place
A final thought from Macbeth:
Macbeth: If we should fail—
Lady Macbeth: We fail. But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we’ll not fail.
If you believe you can’t, you’re probably right. As Henry Ford is often quoted as saying: Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.
Planning for Success
Our goal in W5 is to identify roadblocks in advance so they don’t derail you. The more obstacles you anticipate, the fewer excuses you have not to take action.
So, ask yourself: What is stopping me?
Then start working on clearing the path.
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