Episode 322: Why Smart People Abandon Good Goals
January 15, 2025/
When pursuing a meaningful goal or implementing a yearly theme, three specific challenges consistently emerge that can derail your progress. Join Stacy Westfall as she breaks down these obstacles and provides actionable solutions for navigating them successfully.
Key takeaways:
- Our brains are wired to resist change in predictable ways, but understanding this resistance reveals surprisingly simple solutions for getting started on any goal, no matter how daunting it seems.
- The early stages of implementing change require a different approach than most people expect. Stacy shares how to use your brain’s natural reward system (what she playfully calls “calorie-free cookies”) to build momentum.
- The most significant barrier to achieving goals isn’t what most people think – it’s a hidden mindset trap that can make you abandon ship right when you’re actually making progress.
Overall, this episode examines why common approaches to change often fall short and provides concrete strategies for staying on track. Whether you’re working with horses or pursuing personal growth, these insights will help you recognize and overcome the key obstacles that stand between you and your goals.
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WHY IS MY HORSE...?
Will this podcast be transcribed like some of the others ? I would really appreciate it !
Hi Stacy – Was reassuring to hear this podcast today – I did struggle with deciding which theme to choose – there are so many!!! Your worksheet helped but I have ended up choosing Relationships – with everything because it encompasses myself and looking after myself just as with my husband, horses, family and friends. I had chosen confidence, belief, patience and clarity and was feeling very undecided choosing which one. Waiting those extra days certainly helped me work it out. Today’s podcast was super helpful and understandable so have reached that stage of self implementation. Anyway I have chosen Relationships – last year’s was Connection so that was interesting as I did some Connection Training with 2 ladies in Uk – online courses and SO many!! Thought your theme last year of Relationships and Results was good. It looks like I’m copying you – that often happens but I feel v centered with my choice now.. The phone setting reminder or journalling at a certain time may help keep me on track so I’ll go with it. Thank you for your inspiration and follow through to just do it! You are so on the ball – have to keep reminding self to be inspired and not get bogged down! Cheers – stay warm Roz