There are tons of reasons we want to do something but inevitably we don’t. One of the goals I have for you here is to understand the way you are wired so you can start taking action knowing that the way you feel is not uncommon and absolutely within your control to change.

By understanding the reasons you may think and feel the way you do, you are able to overcome these blocks and rewire your perspective. This is where you get your power back.

Today, I want to break down 5 of the most common psychological barriers that may be preventing you from taking action:

1. Fear of Failure: The fear of failure can be paralyzing to the point where it prevents you from taking action at all. It arises from the worry of making mistakes, facing criticism, or experiencing negative outcomes. This fear can lead to procrastination or avoidance of challenging tasks.

The truth: we all fail. every single human. You are not inadequate or broken, you’re inevitably made of the same material. Every single failure IS a lesson. You have to learn what not to do in order to understand what TO DO. I’ve failed many times, each of those bringing me closer to success.

2. Perfectionism: A perfectionist mindset often leads to a desire for flawless outcomes. People may hesitate to take action because they fear that their efforts will not meet their excessively high standards. This can result in a fear of starting or completing tasks.

The Truth: We will never be perfect. Ever. This email – imperfect. My book – imperfect. The podcast – imperfect. But what people fail to acknowledge is that we find beauty in imperfection. If everything was perfect as you might imagine it, how boring would that be?

3. Analysis Paralysis: Overthinking and excessive analysis can create a state of indecision and inaction. When faced with numerous options or complex decisions, individuals may become overwhelmed, leading to a prolonged period of inaction.

The Truth: Optionality doesn’t lead to optimality. Simply put, we get decision fatigue. If you are battling many options when making a decision it makes the fear of “is this the right one” amplify. Take things off the table. Boil it down to 1 or 2 things. This is where searching for more often leads to discomfort, not happiness.

4. Lack of Self-Confidence: Low self-confidence and self-doubt can undermine one’s belief in their ability to succeed. This lack of confidence can prevent individuals from taking action or pursuing opportunities because they feel incapable or unworthy.

The Truth: I have a 6-part action step process of cultivating confidence which I plan to do a podcast episode on  (hint the podcast is coming SOON) Confidence often comes from competence, competence comes from skill, and skill my friend – well that comes from repetitions. This circles back to the fear of failure, I assure you anyone you look up to who is more competent than you in what you want to do or learn has put in a ton of reps falling short and learning from them – give yourself permission to do the same.

5. Procrastination: Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks. It can be driven by various factors such as low motivation, fear, boredom, or a lack of clear goals. Procrastination can lead to a cycle of inaction and can hinder progress and personal growth.

The truth: Procrastination is a sure fire way to ensure failure. The thing you fear more than anything. But to overcome procrastination you first may need to close some open loops. If you feel like you have a million tasks to get done, you’re likely spinning your wheels not accomplishing any of them.

These sticking points can vary in intensity and can be influenced by individual differences and personal circumstances. Recognizing and addressing these psychological barriers can help you overcome them and take action towards your goals.

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