Overcoming Internal vs. External Obstacles: Understanding What’s Really Holding You Back

When we feel stuck, it’s easy to focus on the obstacles we can see—tight deadlines, limited resources, or challenging relationships. These are the external obstacles that everyone faces. But often, it’s the internal obstacles—the ones we can’t see—that hold us back the most.

So, what’s the difference?

• External Obstacles are things outside of us, like time constraints, financial limitations, or tough situations. While they can be real challenges, we often have some control over how we respond to them.
• Internal Obstacles are the hidden forces within—self-doubt, fear, procrastination, limiting beliefs. These can be even harder to face because they’re woven into our thoughts and behaviors. Left unchecked, they shape our decisions and keep us from moving forward.

Why It’s Important to Identify Both

We often blame external circumstances for holding us back, overlooking the power of our internal beliefs and thoughts. Recognizing the internal obstacles helps us see where we might be self-sabotaging or holding ourselves back due to fear of failure, a need for perfection, or feeling unworthy.

How to Start Overcoming Both Types of Obstacles

1. Get Honest with Yourself: Reflect on what’s stopping you. Is it something you can directly control or a mindset you need to shift?
2. Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Write down one belief that feels limiting and challenge it. Instead of “I’m not good enough,” try “I have the skills to learn and grow.”
3. Set Small, Actionable Goals: Don’t try to change everything at once. Small wins build confidence, especially when overcoming internal barriers.
4. Seek Support: Sometimes an outside perspective, like a coach, can help you see what’s holding you back and how to tackle it.

Register for my Webinar “From Stuck to Unstoppable”

Are you ready to take on both your internal and external obstacles? Join my upcoming webinar From Stuck to Unstoppable on Nov 14 at 19h30 SAST, where I’ll be sharing strategies to overcome both kinds of barriers.

Book a No Obligation 30-Minute Coaching Call With Me

If you’re ready to fast-track your success, let’s hop on a call to discuss how I can help you navigate change, fast-track your progress, and create a realistic actionable plan to achieve your goals.

Let’s turn obstacles into opportunities and get you moving forward with clarity and confidence!

#OvercomeObstacles #InternalVsExternal #FromStuckToUnstoppable #TransformationCoach #NLP