What’s Really Standing In Your Way
(HINT: It’s Not Just Your To-Do List)
Ever feel like your business is stuck in a weird limbo—like you’re hustling hard, but the finish line keeps moving? You’re pushing, pivoting, and pouring your energy into every corner of your business, yet somehow, progress feels just out of reach. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Every business owner, at some point, runs headlong into a wall. But not all walls are built the same, and not every obstacle is what it seems.
The Two Types of Setbacks (And How to Spot Yours)
Let’s keep it simple. Most obstacles fall into one of two camps:
Energetic Blocks ~ These are the invisible gremlins like stress, self-doubt, or that nagging sense of “Am I really cut out for this?” Sometimes it’s a quiet heaviness, other times it’s a full-blown case of impostor syndrome. If you catch yourself saying, “I just feel off lately,” or “I know what to do, but I can’t get myself to do it,” you’re likely wrestling with an energetic block. These blocks don’t show up on your profit-and-loss statement, but they can quietly drain your momentum and creativity.
Strategic Reasons ~ Think nuts and bolts, such as systems, skills, technology, or strategy gaps. Maybe you’re missing a key process, or perhaps your business plan is starting to feel like an old map with half the landmarks rubbed off. If your inner monologue sounds more like, “I have no idea how to streamline this process,” or “We need a better plan,” you’re dealing with a strategic snag. These are the tangible roadblocks that are movable, but only if you acknowledge they’re there.
Quick Gut Check
Here’s a high-level way to tell which category is tripping you up:
Ask yourself, “Do I feel stuck because of how I’m feeling, or because of what I’m missing?”
If it’s the first, it’s energetic. If it’s the second, it’s strategic. Sometimes it’s a bit of both, but one usually shouts louder.
If you’re still unsure, try this: Imagine you had the perfect system or strategy handed to you on a silver platter. Would you feel ready to run with it, or would you still hesitate? If hesitation lingers, it’s likely an energetic block. If you’d jump in, but just need the tools, it’s strategic.
Moving Forward and Getting Somewhere
Before you dive into fixing systems or chasing the next big idea, your power move is to pause and get genuinely curious. What’s really tripping you up right now? Is it a feeling, or a missing piece? Self-awareness isn’t just a pit stop. It’s the light that reveals the path forward. The first step to overcoming any challenge is looking inward and asking the tough questions. When you get honest about what’s holding you back, you give yourself the power to choose your next step with intention. That’s where fresh perspective emerges and where lasting breakthroughs take root.
