As I write this article, we have just begun the year 2022 and last week I went through my Year In Review and Plans for 2022 worksheet.

I realized that I fell short on my big goal, which was to begin my webinar series called Manage2Lead. I thought about this and concluded that if I just focus on removing the key restrainer or obstacle, the goal will be achieved quickly. The restrainer in my case is a habit of putting other things first and not protecting the time I allotted to work on my project. I had started working on a new habit of starting my day by first working on my project before doing anything else including breakfast and reading emails, which has been my routine. So now I know that I need to get back on track with my new habit as I let myself slip backwards.

Restrainers are things that stand in the way of your goal. Think of the hand or safety break on a car. You get in the car with your destination in mind, start the engine and shift into drive. But as you press the gas pedal, you feel something holding back the automobile, and that’s the handbrake. By simply releasing that brake the car can move forward to your destination.

This is what is required to reach any goal as there will always be obstacles or restrainers, usually in the form of old habits that impede your progress. Identify the restrainer or obstacle, come up with solutions and turn that into a goal that you can act on.

I have added a slide to my Year in Review, Plan for 2022 PowerPoint workbook that you can download for free. You will also find a single goal planning worksheet that you can use to set a goal to overcome the restrainer. Happy New Year and good luck with your goal planning and success in business and life.