8 answers
SHARI
Student
Tampa, Florida
2
Questions
Asked
1710 views
What are the biggest obstacles that are preventing you from reaching your potential?
Are there things in life that prevent you from doing your best? Is it yourself, family, friends, or other things?
Login to comment
8 answers
Niha D
Physical Therapist
60
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Niha’s Answer
Nothing limits me as much as myself. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with big goals, and choosing to overthink the hurdles instead of breaking them down into manageable stepping stones has been a long and hard journey.
Elizabeth Gravina Wetherall
Operational support to investment managers
33
Answers
Islip, New York
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
I think many times, I’m my own biggest obstacle. Perhaps fear of the unknown, or fear of failing. But we need to push forward to learn, and yes, make mistakes.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone or constantly pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone to grow and learn, can be challenging at times. It can take energy. Sometimes energy we didn’t know we had in the moment.
Be sure to always give yourself credit of your accomplishments. Look how far you’ve come.
“Learn through scar tissue” so that you may continue to “glow and grow”
Stepping outside of your comfort zone or constantly pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone to grow and learn, can be challenging at times. It can take energy. Sometimes energy we didn’t know we had in the moment.
Be sure to always give yourself credit of your accomplishments. Look how far you’ve come.
“Learn through scar tissue” so that you may continue to “glow and grow”
Bruce Marler
Senior Director, Global Sales and Alliances
1
Answer
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Bruce’s Answer
It may seem overused, but there's genuine wisdom in the saying that you are your own biggest obstacle in reaching your aspirations. When you adopt a mindset focused on growth and understand that stepping out of your comfort zone is the key to enhancing your abilities, you'll flourish in acquiring new skills and achieving remarkable feats, both personally and professionally. Remember, everyone is on a journey of learning and navigating through each day; you're not isolated in this. Embracing the unknown can guide you through the fears that are preventing you from unlocking your full potential. This will empower you to become the best version of yourself.
Yanna Ma
Internal Audit
39
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Yanna’s Answer
From my personal journey, I've identified several hurdles that often come up:
- Hesitation in tackling major tasks
- Reluctance to step out of my comfort zone
- Underestimating my abilities, despite being highly competent
- Inability to build strategic connections
- Neglecting to inform my superiors about my achievements
- Tendency to limit myself to my current position, without considering the broader perspective
- Lack of focus on setting long-term objectives
- Hesitation in tackling major tasks
- Reluctance to step out of my comfort zone
- Underestimating my abilities, despite being highly competent
- Inability to build strategic connections
- Neglecting to inform my superiors about my achievements
- Tendency to limit myself to my current position, without considering the broader perspective
- Lack of focus on setting long-term objectives
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Shari,
Unleashing Your Potential: Overcoming Hurdles
POSSIBLE UNDERLYING SELF-DOUBT
To understand what might be stopping you from achieving your full potential, we need to look at the different factors that could be obstructing your personal growth. These hurdles could be internal or external and may differ based on your unique situation. Here are some common barriers people often face:
1. Fear of Failure and Self-Doubt: A major hurdle to personal growth is self-doubt. When you lack faith in your abilities or are afraid of failing, you might avoid taking risks or chasing new opportunities. To conquer self-doubt, work on building your self-esteem, set achievable goals, and challenge negative thoughts.
2. Absence of Motivation and Direction: Without clear goals or a sense of purpose, you might find it hard to stay motivated and focused. To overcome this, set specific targets, devise a plan of action, and seek out inspiration.
3. Outside Influences: Factors like family dynamics, social circles, or societal expectations can also impede personal growth. Obligations to family, unsupportive relationships, or cultural norms that clash with your aspirations can slow you down. Setting boundaries, communicating effectively with loved ones, and surrounding yourself with positivity are key.
4. Insufficient Resources: Limited resources, whether financial, educational, or professional, can be a major roadblock to achieving your potential. Access to opportunities, mentorship, education, and financial stability are crucial for personal growth. Seek out resources and support systems to overcome this hurdle.
5. Procrastination and Time Management: Poor time management and procrastination can stop you from realizing your full potential. To overcome these habits, develop effective time management strategies, prioritize tasks, and maintain discipline in your daily routines.
6. Perfectionism: Aiming for perfection can be counterproductive as it can lead to unrealistic expectations and fear of making mistakes. Embrace imperfection, learn from failures, and focus on progress, not perfection.
In summary, to reach your full potential, you need to overcome hurdles like self-doubt, external influences, lack of motivation or resources, poor time management, and perfectionism. By recognizing these barriers and effectively addressing them, you can unlock your true potential and achieve personal growth.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: Offers valuable guidance on personal development strategies, overcoming hurdles to success, and cultivating leadership skills.
Psychology Today: Provides expert advice on self-improvement techniques and understanding behavior patterns that obstruct personal growth.
Forbes: Discusses topics related to career development, success stories of entrepreneurs overcoming professional challenges.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
Unleashing Your Potential: Overcoming Hurdles
POSSIBLE UNDERLYING SELF-DOUBT
To understand what might be stopping you from achieving your full potential, we need to look at the different factors that could be obstructing your personal growth. These hurdles could be internal or external and may differ based on your unique situation. Here are some common barriers people often face:
1. Fear of Failure and Self-Doubt: A major hurdle to personal growth is self-doubt. When you lack faith in your abilities or are afraid of failing, you might avoid taking risks or chasing new opportunities. To conquer self-doubt, work on building your self-esteem, set achievable goals, and challenge negative thoughts.
2. Absence of Motivation and Direction: Without clear goals or a sense of purpose, you might find it hard to stay motivated and focused. To overcome this, set specific targets, devise a plan of action, and seek out inspiration.
3. Outside Influences: Factors like family dynamics, social circles, or societal expectations can also impede personal growth. Obligations to family, unsupportive relationships, or cultural norms that clash with your aspirations can slow you down. Setting boundaries, communicating effectively with loved ones, and surrounding yourself with positivity are key.
4. Insufficient Resources: Limited resources, whether financial, educational, or professional, can be a major roadblock to achieving your potential. Access to opportunities, mentorship, education, and financial stability are crucial for personal growth. Seek out resources and support systems to overcome this hurdle.
5. Procrastination and Time Management: Poor time management and procrastination can stop you from realizing your full potential. To overcome these habits, develop effective time management strategies, prioritize tasks, and maintain discipline in your daily routines.
6. Perfectionism: Aiming for perfection can be counterproductive as it can lead to unrealistic expectations and fear of making mistakes. Embrace imperfection, learn from failures, and focus on progress, not perfection.
In summary, to reach your full potential, you need to overcome hurdles like self-doubt, external influences, lack of motivation or resources, poor time management, and perfectionism. By recognizing these barriers and effectively addressing them, you can unlock your true potential and achieve personal growth.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review: Offers valuable guidance on personal development strategies, overcoming hurdles to success, and cultivating leadership skills.
Psychology Today: Provides expert advice on self-improvement techniques and understanding behavior patterns that obstruct personal growth.
Forbes: Discusses topics related to career development, success stories of entrepreneurs overcoming professional challenges.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
Mary Moberg
Care Manager
9
Answers
Wallingford, Connecticut
Updated
Mary’s Answer
There are both internal and external barriers to achieving.
Internally, there can be negative self- talk and doubt. Thinking that there are too many others vying for the situation is one barrier.
Feeling intimidated about requirements towards achievement can be daunting as well. Those and more are mental barriers.
Daily life can be exhausting . If you are not taking care of your basic needs for nourishment, rest and relaxation, your internal batteries are draining.
Externally, there are many components in competition for your drive and attention. Family responsibilities, financial burdens, and the state of the world in general, to name a few are vying for your attention.
I had a pad of paper illustrated with a cat confronting a giant loaded grinder. The cat obviously wanted to swallow that thing whole. It read: " Don't bite off more than you can chew" Take your aspirations in bites. Don't try to swallow it all whole!
Don't compare yourself to others. Catalogue your strengths. Remind yourself you are awesome!
Be aware of your weaknesses. Establish a plan to work on them.
Choose healthy options for diet, rest, exercise and take a break on a regular basis.
Internally, there can be negative self- talk and doubt. Thinking that there are too many others vying for the situation is one barrier.
Feeling intimidated about requirements towards achievement can be daunting as well. Those and more are mental barriers.
Daily life can be exhausting . If you are not taking care of your basic needs for nourishment, rest and relaxation, your internal batteries are draining.
Externally, there are many components in competition for your drive and attention. Family responsibilities, financial burdens, and the state of the world in general, to name a few are vying for your attention.
I had a pad of paper illustrated with a cat confronting a giant loaded grinder. The cat obviously wanted to swallow that thing whole. It read: " Don't bite off more than you can chew" Take your aspirations in bites. Don't try to swallow it all whole!
Mary recommends the following next steps:
Dan Aro
Collision repair / Fabrication
11
Answers
Soda Springs, Idaho
Updated
Dan’s Answer
The biggest hurdles are not having the self confidence . Never say I can't do this. Life is a challenge that we all have to meet head on every day. Don't listen to anyone that tells you (you can't do that). Figure out a way to do it! If you need help, just ask a person you trust for help. People who back down from a challenge never get anywhere. When you beat a challenge you will feel GREAT! Keep your head up.
Ashesh Kapasi
Program Management
3
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Ashesh’s Answer
Short Answer - Any thoughts that are unnecessary, irrelevant, not important, etc. in a given situation, but you think about those due to not having a stronger mindset (which actually protects your mind from such thoughts) will act as obstacle for any individual at any given point of time and hence prevents reaching the best potential. (Generally speaking, there could be exceptional cases where the approach would vary based on that particular individual and situation)
For your particular question, the obstacle could be anything, can come anytime, in any form and 'n' number of times at any stage in life. You have to analyze and assess the respective obstacle and identify the genuine ones versus the ones that are truly not obstacles and impacting you from being a better version of you and start negating those obstacles from your life.
By doing this religiously, you will develop a mindset to filter only the good obstacles that you need to deal with and move on in life and exclude the ones that are irrelevant and should not impact you in anyway.
For your particular question, the obstacle could be anything, can come anytime, in any form and 'n' number of times at any stage in life. You have to analyze and assess the respective obstacle and identify the genuine ones versus the ones that are truly not obstacles and impacting you from being a better version of you and start negating those obstacles from your life.
By doing this religiously, you will develop a mindset to filter only the good obstacles that you need to deal with and move on in life and exclude the ones that are irrelevant and should not impact you in anyway.