How to Uncover Your Hidden Obstacles

Do You Know What’s Standing Between You And The Life You Want? What Are Your Hidden Obstacles?

We all have hidden obstacles that can hold us back from the life we want. As a therapist and life coach, I regularly meet with clients who show up for counseling or coaching, certain that they know what their problem is, and what needs to be done to fix it:

• “My partner has withdrawn from me and we’re fighting. I need them to listen.”
• “I hate my job. I need to find a new one.”
• “My relationship ended and I need to get over it.”
• “I’m dating, but I’m not meeting anyone.”
• “I just want to be happier and enjoy my life, so I need to make a big change.“
• “I’m in this relationship that is not satisfying to me, and either my partner needs to change or we need to get divorced.”

And you know what? This is a great start. People who show up for personal growth work with these aspirations have already done an enormous amount of work: they mustered up the motivation to take a risk, and reach out for the support of a professional. That in itself is an amazing success.

Aaannnddd…. the next phase of the work in counseling or coaching is often helping people go further, and dig deeper to understand what the true source of “the problem” really is – what the obstacle might be that’s holding them back. (Hint: It is almost never what you think it is.) Once that is revealed, we can then move to create action-oriented strategies that will create meaningful and lasting change.

This process is very empowering for people because the focus often shifts from feeling trapped by unfortunate circumstances and hidden obstacles, to feeling in control and able to take meaningful, positive action. They go from feeling stuck and like they’re just spinning their wheels as they ineffectively chase after what they think is the solution to the problem, to feeling like they are actually making progress.

But the first step is true self-awareness. If you don’t know what your obstacles are and what’s getting in your way, you can’t possibly fix them.

Can you relate? If so, you’re in luck. Today on the Love, Happiness and Success podcast, I’m walking you through an activity that will raise your self-awareness, and help you “get under the hood” of your inner experience. 

You’ll learn some new things about yourself AND get direction on how to start making positive changes. Listen to the podcast, and when prompted, take the “What’s Holding You Back” quiz here. Then I’ll talk you through your answers, what they mean about you, and how you can start creating real and lasting change in your life today.

Here’s to growth!

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD, LMFT, BCC( PhD, LP, LMFT, BCC )

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is the founder and clinical director of Growing Self. She is a licensed psychologist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a board-certified coach, as well as the author of “Exaholics: Breaking Your Addiction to Your Ex Love,” and the host of The Love, Happiness & Success Podcast.

Learn more about Dr. Lisa