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The 5 Mental Blocks Holding You Back and How to Fix Them

We all have things we’d love to do-things that have been on our minds for weeks, maybe even months. But somehow, life keeps getting in the way.

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We all have things we’d love to do—things that have been on our minds for weeks, maybe even months. Maybe you’ve been wanting to plan a family vacation, finally clean out that closet, or organize the thousands of photos sitting on your phone. Or maybe it’s something as simple as making more time for yourself, reconnecting with an old hobby, or just feeling more in control of your days. But mental blocks are holding you back.

Somehow, life keeps getting in the way. The to-do lists never end, your calendar feels overwhelming, and before you know it, another week, month, or even year has passed without making progress.

Here’s the thing: Sometimes the biggest obstacles holding us back from the things we want to do aren’t our schedules or responsibilities—it’s our own mindset. Sneaky mental blocks can creep in and quietly convince us that we’re too busy, it’s not the right time, or we’re not ready.

We’re uncovering the 5 mental blocks that could be standing in your way and keeping you from chasing your big dreams. These aren’t obvious roadblocks—they’re the sneaky, subtle thoughts that creep in and convince you to put your dreams on the back burner. But the good news is, once you recognize them, you can start overcoming them.

Today, I’m sharing:

• Why feeling so busy is what’s actually keeping you stuck
• How shifting your mindset can help you make time for what matters.
• The hidden thoughts holding you back from planning your best year yet.
• A simple strategy to stop winging it and start winning at your goals.

5 Mental Blocks Holding You Back And How to Fix Them

But here’s where this kind of thinking can keep us stuck. When we don’t take the time to set goals—when we skip that moment to pause, reflect, and plan—we end up winging it. We get caught in what I like to call “hamster wheel mode,” constantly running, doing, reacting, but never really making progress toward the things that matter most.

Without a plan, life starts to happen to us instead of for us.

And here’s the kicker: When you tell yourself you don’t have time to set goals, you’re actually creating more overwhelm for your future self.

Because when the new year rolls around and you’re still trying to play catch-up, still feeling like you’re barely treading water, you’ll wish you had taken the time to map out even the simplest plan.

Here’s the truth: Goal setting doesn’t have to take hours. It doesn’t have to be a big, overwhelming process. But it does require carving out a little bit of time now to save yourself a lot of time and stress later.

Imagine starting the new year with clarity and purpose instead of chaos and catch-up mode. That’s the power of goal setting.

So if you’ve been telling yourself you’re too busy to set goals, I want to challenge you to rethink that. What if setting goals is the very thing that helps you take back control of your time?

2. I can’t justify the cost

Alright, let’s talk about another sneaky mental block that might be holding you back from setting goals: the one that says, “I can’t justify the cost.”

You’ve probably thought this before, especially during this time of year. Maybe you’ve had your eye on a goal-setting workbook, a workshop, or even just a fancy new planner to help you get organized. But every time you think about buying it, you hear that voice in your head:

“How can I spend money on myself when groceries are so expensive, holiday shopping is piling up, and there are so many other things to take care of?”

Let me tell you—I’ve been there. And it’s so easy to talk yourself out of investing in something for yourself when there are a hundred other priorities screaming for your attention.

But here’s what I want you to remember: Investing in your goals isn’t just about you. It’s about creating a better version of yourself—someone who’s clear, focused, and intentional about how they spend their time.

And when you show up as that version of yourself, it ripples out into every area of your life. Your family feels it. Your coworkers feel it. Even your friends feel it. Because when you have clarity, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.

Now, I know that spending money on a workbook or workshop might feel like a luxury, especially during the holidays. But I want to challenge that belief. Setting goals and creating a plan is what helps you make the most of your time, your resources, and your energy in the long run.

Think about it this way: How many times have you wasted time spinning your wheels, stuck in indecision, or just trying to figure out what to do next? What if you could eliminate that feeling—and the time you lose—by creating a clear plan for your year?

That’s the return on investment. It’s not just about the workbook or the workshop—it’s about what you gain: more clarity, more progress, and less stress.

So, if you’ve been holding back because you feel like you can’t justify the cost, I want to encourage you to reframe that thinking. You are worth the investment.

3. I’ve tried that before and it doesn’t work for me

And that leads us to the next mindset block—the belief that “I’ve tried goal setting before, and it doesn’t work for me.”

Maybe you’ve been here before. You bought the planner, set the goals, and felt excited about the fresh start. But a few weeks—or even days—later, life got busy, you fell off track, and suddenly those goals felt like a distant memory.

If that’s you, let me just say this: You are not alone. We’ve all set goals that didn’t stick. And it’s easy to take that experience and turn it into a belief that goal setting just isn’t for you.

But here’s the truth: It’s not that you failed at goal setting. It’s that the approach you used might not have been the right fit for you at the time.

Goal setting isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Some people thrive with detailed, long-term plans, while others do better with smaller, short-term goals. Maybe you need more structure, or maybe you need more flexibility. Maybe you didn’t have the right support, or maybe you simply set goals that didn’t align with what you really wanted.

The key is to look at those past experiences and ask yourself: What worked? What didn’t? And how can I approach this differently moving forward?

Here’s the thing: Goal setting isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about sticking to a rigid plan 100% of the time. It’s about progress, not perfection. It’s about creating a guide—a roadmap—that helps you focus on what matters most, even when life gets messy.

And let’s not forget: Just because something didn’t work in the past doesn’t mean it can’t work now. You’re in a different season of life. You’ve learned, grown, and gained new tools to help you approach things differently this time around.

So if you’ve been telling yourself that goal setting doesn’t work for you, I want to challenge you to let go of that belief. You’re not the same person you were then, and this time, you can approach it with fresh eyes, new strategies, and a little bit of grace for yourself.

4. It’s too soon to start thinking about next year

And that brings us to the next mental block—one that whispers, “It’s too soon to start thinking about next year.”

Maybe you’ve felt this way before. December rolls around, and you think, “I’ve still got weeks left in the year! I’ll wait until January to start fresh.” There’s something about the clean slate of January 1st that feels motivating, right?

But here’s the problem: If you wait until January to start thinking about your goals, you’re already behind.

Here’s what I mean. January is busy. You’re easing back into work after the holidays, the kids are starting back at school, and before you know it, the momentum of the new year is sweeping you along before you’ve had a chance to catch your breath.

But when you start planning in December, you give yourself the gift of clarity before the chaos hits. You walk into January with a plan already in place, ready to hit the ground running instead of playing catch-up.

Think of it like this: December is the perfect time to reflect on the year you’ve just had. What worked? What didn’t? What do you want more of—or less of—in the year ahead? By starting now, you’re setting yourself up for success, not just for January but for the entire year.

And here’s the thing: Starting now doesn’t mean you have to have it all figured out by tomorrow. It doesn’t mean rushing to set perfect goals or making massive changes overnight. It’s about giving yourself the space and the grace to dream, plan, and prepare without the pressure of a ticking clock.

So if you’ve been telling yourself it’s too soon to start thinking about next year, I want to encourage you to flip that script. December isn’t “too soon”—it’s the perfect time.

5. I don’t want to do this alone

And finally, let’s tackle one last mental block: the belief that “I don’t want to do this alone.”

Goal setting can feel like such a personal thing, right? It’s your life, your dreams, your plans. And yet, sometimes the thought of sitting down by yourself to reflect and plan can feel overwhelming—or even a little lonely.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t even know where to start. What if I do it wrong? What if I get stuck?”

First of all, let me reassure you: There’s no “wrong” way to set goals. Certainly some methods are more successful than others, but when it comes down to it Goal setting is about creating a vision and a plan that works for you. And second, you don’t have to do this alone.

One of the best ways to take the pressure off is to make goal setting a shared experience. Think about it: How much more fun would it be to grab a cup of coffee with a friend and dream together? To talk through your goals, cheer each other on, and hold each other accountable?

You could even plan a cozy goal-setting session at home, complete with snacks, your favorite playlist, and maybe even a few colorful markers if that’s your thing.

And if you’re looking for something a little more structured—something with a clear plan and built-in support—that’s exactly why I created Ready. Set. Goals!

This is your opportunity to set aside time, with guidance, to reflect, plan, and dream about the year ahead—all in a supportive environment with like-minded people who are right there with you.

Because here’s the thing: Goal setting doesn’t have to feel lonely or overwhelming. When you do it with the right tools, the right mindset, and the right people, it can be exciting, motivating, and yes—even fun.

So if you’ve been holding back because you feel like you don’t want to do this on your own, I want to invite you to think differently. You don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

Kick these 5 Mental Blocks to the Curb

We’ve talked about five common mental blocks that can keep you from setting goals:

• Feeling too busy, when goal setting actually saves you time in the long run.
• Thinking you can’t justify the cost, when investing in your goals benefits everyone in your life.
• Believing “goal setting doesn’t work for me”, when it’s really about finding the right approach.
• Telling yourself “December is too soon”, when starting now lets you hit the ground running in January.
• And thinking you have to do it alone, when having support makes the process easier—and more fun.

These mental blocks are just that—blocks. They don’t have to define you or hold you back. The first step is recognizing them, and the next step is deciding to move past them.

Whether your goals are big dreams or everyday priorities, setting aside the time to reflect, plan, and dream is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Make Your Goals Happen in 2025

And if you’re ready to do that, I’d love for you to join me for Ready. Set. Goals! Together, we’ll overcome these blocks, make a plan, and start the year with clarity and confidence. This year, Ready. Set. Goals! is happening December 10, 11th and 12th. The first two days are dedicated to all things goal setting, and you’ll walk away with a fresh set of SMART goals to head into 2025.

On Day 3 – our VIP Day – I’ll walk you through the Big Picture Year planning process so you can map out your entire year in just two hours. We’re talking vacations, launches, school schedules and more. Ready. Set. GOALS! is one of my favorite events each year and this year, I’m offering a limited number of tickets to ensure a more personalized experience. I want to give you the time, attention, and support you need to walk away feeling confident and prepared for the year ahead.

The doors swing open to Ready. Set. GOALS! on Friday, November 29th – so be sure to mark your calendar and set an alarm so you can grab your ticket and save your seat. I can’t wait to cheer you on as you plan for 2025!

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: 250 Inspired Goal Ideas for 2025
• Grab your 2025 Big Picture Year Calendar
• Ready, Set. GOALS: a 3-day live goal setting workshop to have your most exciting, intentional year yet

Related Episodes:

• Steering Clear of Setbacks: 5 Sneaky Goal Setting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Stuck in a Rut? 3 Essential Steps to Get Unstuck and Feel Motivated Again
• Finish What You Started: How to Reach Your Goals by the End of the Year