by Debbie Zuckerman, Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach

What causes a person to be stuck in the process of change, especially when the wellbeing goals they set seem to be good and common? While the actual cause varies, what keeps people stuck are the obstacles that get in their way. Some obstacles may be more obvious, like a lack of resources. Other obstacles may require self-awareness to understand the root cause, like fear of failure. One of the most common obstacles my coaching clients experience are goals that lack purpose. As a result, people find themselves chasing the same goals over and over again. They end up feeling discouraged, exhausted, and unmotivated.

Many clients say it feels like they are on a hamster wheel.

Examples of obstacles include:

Goals without purpose
Goal overload
Negative self-talk
Fear of failure and being judged
Insufficient boundaries
Perfectionism or procrastination
Lack of accountability, resources, and support

I use the formula below as a guide to help people safely step off the hamster wheel.

Values + Strengths + Passions = Purpose > Intentional and Attainable Wellbeing Goals

Change is not linear and it’s normal to be stuck many times along the way. The good news is that recognizing you are stuck IS a step forward! When you feel stuck you may also notice sensations in your body like a clenched jaw. You may have thoughts like “I can’t do this!” that represent inaccurate beliefs that hold you back.

Exploring what keeps you stuck and identifying your purpose will equip you to set realistic goals that lead to positive and meaningful wellbeing changes.

For more information about intentional goal-setting or to book a session with me, click here or contact me at debbie@centerpiecewellness.com.