What’s Holding You Back?

The most common questions submitted have to do with perceived obstacles — what’s holding you back from moving toward one’s goals. In this episode I unpack the most frequent issues shared as barriers to success. Hint – they can all be eliminated – and your success is right on the other side.

Episode #694 December 13, 2019

Hi, this is Dan Miller – and yes you’re listening to the 48 Days Radio show – where each week we take 48 minutes to dive into real life questions about finding your passion, deciding what kind of life you want to live – and then finding or creating work that allows you to show up every day, excited to be able to do something that is meaningful, fulfilling – and profitable.  This is where normal, indecision and ambiguity come to die.  Welcome to the 48 Days Radio Show.

Questions: 

I’m lacking clarity 

If you say that being clear on what it is you want and should do is what’s holding you back, you’re not alone. 85% of the process of gaining clarity comes from looking inward. The key is “does it work for you.” [click_to_tweet tweet=”‘I’d rather help you grow dandelions if that’s your passion than talk you into being a computer programmer because we know there are opportunities out there.’ @48daysteam” quote=”‘I’d rather help you grow dandelions if that’s your passion than talk you into being a computer programmer because we know there are opportunities out there.'”]

Not enough Money

This is often a perceived lack of money. It’s more often a fear of failure. 26% of business start-ups don’t require any capital at all. 34% need less than $5,000 9% need between $5,000 and $10,000 That means 69% of all small businesses need less than $10,000 to get started. Find out how one listener got the money to develop a new Enneagram game.

Ways to get money to start your business: • Go to a bank (but you need collateral) • Small Business Administration (stringent requirements) • Lease equipment and office space so there’s not a lot of money required upfront. • Supplier financing • Franchising • Licensing • Distributorship • Venture Capital (look at you as a person more than your idea) • Love Money – people who know and trust you (but this often changes the conversation and the relationship) – 80% of new business are funded with love money

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘If you have energy, ambition, desire and imagination you will attract money.’ @48daysteam” quote=”‘If you have energy, ambition, desire and imagination you will attract money.'”]

Lacking Self-Confidence

Lack of self-confidence is really fear holding you back. Sometimes fear becomes a warm blanket we wrap ourselves in and stay there. Check out the book Flinch by Julien Smith

Here are some tips to help you move through fear:• • Convert worry time into study time • Plan your actions rather than waiting to see what happens • Be decisive and stick with your plan • Be careful listening to other people trying to hold you back. You may need to find some new friends — people who are on the same path as you to cheer you on. That’s why we created the 48 Days Eagles Community. • Be a front seater • Practice making eye contact with people • Walk 25% faster • Practice speaking up • Smile more – David Schwartz says in The Magic of Thinking Big, “Try to feel defeated and smile at the same time. You can’t!”

Read more about the Black Crabs Dan talks about here.

Fear of loss greater than hope of gain — I don’t want to lose the security I have now   I Need “Security”

I hear this from people a lot. If the fear of losing what you have now is holding you back, remember that security is your ability to produce. “Security knows from knowing what it is you do that provides value.” You have to sell yourself every single day.

I just procrastinate  

Procrastination is another form of fear.

If procrastination is holding you back, here are a few tips: • Get in the habit of being a doer not a don’ter • Don’t wait until conditions are perfect • Remember ideas alone won’t bring you any kind of success. Ideas have value only when you create a plan of action and carry it out. • Don’t wait until it feels right

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Amateurs wait until it feels right or until they’re motivated. Professionals create a plan of action and move into new levels of high performance.’ @48daysteam” quote=”‘Amateurs wait until it feels right or until they’re motivated. Professionals create a plan of action and move into new levels of high performance.'”]

I don’t have enough time

Not having enough time is just another method of procrastination. We have to ultimately agree that we invest our time in what we consider to be the most important. Being busy is not a badge of honor. I recommend a zero-based time budget. Start with 168 hours in a week. Then decide in advance how you are going to spend or invest those hours. Look at it on paper. When you take out the important things, you still have discretionary time. If you put 15 hours a week into a new idea, you can really develop it. Find out more in this Masterclass. Change your thinking to be long-term.

I’ve tried before and failed

Recognize that failure is a necessary part of success. You have two options: Either you win or you learn. Note: It’s important to have people around you who will cheer you on. My biggest success is my marriage. Treat your relationships with the same time and care you would a business idea. [click_to_tweet tweet=”If I were to have to put a dollar amount on my closest relationships, I’m a billionaire. @48daysteam” quote=”If I were to have to put a dollar amount on my closest relationships, I’m a billionaire.”]

Sometimes our challenges will break us through to our biggest successes.

Quotation:

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Indecision and the unwillingness to take action are often described as patience – or ‘waiting on God.’”  — Dan Miller @48daysteam” quote=”“Indecision and the unwillingness to take action are often described as patience – or ‘waiting on God.’”  — Dan Miller”]

Resource: 

Understanding who you are and what opportunities are out there is the first step toward creating the future you’re excited about! Get my 11-page workbook Who Are You and Why Are You Here at 48days.com/why