What’s Holding You Back In Life? And How Do You Overcome It

Often, the main obstacle in achieving our goals and dreams are self-imposed limitations and fear of stepping outside our comfort zones. Unchecked, these factors can prevent us from pushing the boundaries and exploring our full potential.

But what’s stopping you from pursuing your dreams? Because it’s time, time for you to go after everything you want without delay.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• The impact of self-doubt and fear on your progress
• The influence of external factors and circumstances on your decisions
• The role of knowledge and skills in achieving your goals
• The effect of being unable to let go of old habits or beliefs

Self-Doubt and Fear

Hunting down dreams and ambitions can sometimes feel like navigating an obstacle course. And the two prominent obstacles that throw us off our stride are self-doubt and fear.

The Problem With Self-Doubt

• Often, our biggest critic and doubter is within us, and this internal self-doubt can hold us hostage.
• We question our abilities and worth, making it difficult to muster the courage to take risks or seize the opportunity.

Fear is Holding You Back

• Fear is another roadblock that can drive us into inaction. Letting our goals and ambitions in life go unfulfilled.
• The fear of failure, judgment, or even success can paralyze us, stopping us from moving forward.

Holding Myself Back

I’ve battled with self-doubt and fear more times than I care to admit.

And with every daring plan or ambitious idea, I had to endure the challenge of second-guessing and drawing worst-case scenarios in my head.

But, over time, I’ve realized doubt and fear are self-imposed.

Taking Action to Overcome Whatever is Holding You Back

• Recognizing self-doubt and fear for what they are – mere feelings and not realities – is the critical first step.
• Developing a healthy relationship with these feelings, acknowledging them, and then stepping forward, regardless of their presence is liberating.
• Simple actions like practicing positive affirmations or maintaining a success journal will help you get yourself together and give you the courage you need to take action.

Because doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. So, don’t let fear and self-doubt hold you back.

External Factors and Circumstances

External factors often play a significant role in inhibiting our progress. Whether it be societal expectations, financial constraints, or the weight of others’ opinions, these external influences can deter us from moving forward.

• Societal Expectations: From a young age, societal expectations condition many of us. We’re often instructed to pursue predetermined paths and careers that don’t align with our personal goals. From my experience, I can confidently say that freeing oneself from societal norms is tough, but crucial for personal growth.
• Financial Constraints: Another thing that holds many of us back is financial constraints. Personal dreams and ambitions often require financial investments, and not everyone has the liberty to afford those expenses. But, I’ve realized financial constraints, no matter how difficult, can be navigated with thorough planning, budgeting, and sometimes, even seeking help. But you have to be open to asking.
  
• Influence of Others’ Opinions: Lastly, the opinions of others can greatly sway our own decision-making. Throughout my journey, I have often found myself questioning my choices because they didn’t align with others’ expectations. Especially family, and the social circles we tend to keep. In these circumstances, it’s important to remember that our life is solely our own journey. Listening to others’ advice is beneficial, but letting their opinions dictate our decisions can divert us from our own individual path.

Practical Advice – Don’t Let XY or Z Hold You Back

Breaking through these external barriers may seem like they require a lot of effort but change is 100% possible.

• Start by recognizing the influence of external factors on your life. Understanding and doing what you want versus doing what others expect of you is the first step towards a liberating change.
• Gradually, try implementing a budgeting and financial planning strategy to overcome any monetary obstacles if you have them.
• And finally, learn to trust yourself and your decisions. Remember, it’s okay to seek advice. But your decision and path should align with what makes you happy, not others.

Overcoming a Lack of Knowledge or Skills

One of the common hurdles that might be holding you back is gaps in knowledge or skills. In our path to growth and progression, we have to confront situations where we lack the necessary skills or comprehension.

• Understanding the Knowledge-Skill Gap: This lack of knowledge or skills is not about intellectual failures. Rather, it’s about recognizing that there are areas where we might need to expand beyond our horizons. My personal journey, too, has been punctuated by moments where I realized the need to level up my skills or take more online courses to learn something new.
• Overcoming the Knowledge-Skill Gap: Overcoming these boundaries will require a lot of effort. But in the long run, every bit of knowledge gained and every new skill learned will make you better. Knowledge and skill are things that can’t be taken away from you. Positive reassessments, determination, and an open mind to learning new things were need to become your stepping stones.
• Adopting Continuous Learning: Once we accept that learning is an ongoing process, the lack of knowledge or skills no longer remains a setback. In fact, it will become a catalyst for personal growth and professional development.

Practical Suggestions to Gain More Skills or Knowledge

While recognizing and accepting a knowledge-skill gap is necessary, becoming stronger requires a plan backed by action. So:

• Identify and accept your areas of weakness. Self-introspection is key here.
• Seek out resources that can help you to fill these gaps. It could be professional courses, online resources, books, or guidance from industry experts
• You could also disregard your weaknesses and lean into your strengths.
• Dedicate time for self-improvement. Regularly updating your skillset should become a part of your routine.
• Adopt a learner’s mindset because there’s never an end to acquiring new skills or knowledge.

Let’s now discuss how the inability to let go of old habits or beliefs can often impede your progress.

The Inability to Let Go

Progress often requires releasing the power and hold certain behaviors, beliefs, or situations have on us. But, letting go is easier said than done.

Sometimes our inability to make this shift is a significant factor holding many of us back. Here’s what you can do if that’s the case:

• Understand Your Struggle: Old habits and beliefs are comfortable. They form a familiar zone that often feels safe. Yet, this safety can prove to be an illusion when these very habits or beliefs are what’s holding us back. From personal experience, I can affirm stepping out of my comfort zone and letting go of what no longer served my me has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding transitions. (Especially if you’re dealing with something like a toxic job)
• The Need for Transition: Holding on to familiar patterns or beliefs doesn’t just restrict growth but it can also prevent the acceptance of new opportunities. And if you want to make significant progression, you need to adapt and transition as fast and smooth as possible.

Practical Tips as You Transition from What’s Holding You Back

Overcoming our inability to let go can be made easier with certain strategies.

• Self-awareness is pivotal. Recognize the habits, beliefs, or situations which no longer serve your progress.
• Once identified, introspect about their impact on your life. This will further reinforce your desire to change.
• Acknowledge that change can be daunting but remind yourself of its inevitability for growth.
• Gradually, start implementing small changes in your routine, mindset, and lifestyle.
• Be patient with yourself during this process. Remember, the transition takes time but will eventually lead to real life improvements.

FAQs on Understanding “What’s Holding You Back?”

How can I identify what’s holding me back?

Identification begins with introspection. Consider areas of your life where you’re not making progress or feeling blown off course. Understand your emotions associated with these areas, and you’d often find what’s holding you back.

What are some effective strategies for overcoming these hurdles?

There are several strategies that can help:

• For self-doubt and fear, the key is to build self-confidence through small victories.
• For external factors, refining your focus on what you can control instead of worrying about the uncontrollables can prove effective.
• If it’s a lack of knowledge or skills, continual learning and adaptation becomes the strategy.
• If you’re unable to let go of old habits or beliefs, gradual change and adopting new perspectives can help transition smoothly.

Remember, overcoming comes after acknowledging these hurdles. Make sure you arm yourself with patience because it’s a journey, not a sprint.