Struggling to follow through with your 2024 goals and intentions? Here’s why…

I don't know about you but as we gear up for March I feel like it was just yesterday I was thinking about my intentions for 2024. This morning I took some time to check in with myself and see where I'm making progress and where I'm not.

How's it going for you? If some of your aspirations have taken a detour, no stress—you're in good company. Follow through is hard for me too. Life's full of surprises, and our well-intentioned goals sometimes end up on the back burner. Follow-through can be a real challenge for all of us. Today I want to talk about why.

Our brains, marvelous organs that they are, have evolved with a keen eye on safety and energy conservation. In other words, they like taking the path of least resistance. Sounds great for saving energy, but not so much when we're trying to break old habits or stick to intentions. Our brains prefer the well-trodden, familiar paths because they're easier to navigate.

Now, add in the twists and turns of avoidance as a coping strategy. If, like me, your go-to move when life throws curveballs is to dodge them, and avoid them, you're not alone. Many of us have perfected the art of avoiding discomfort. But here's the kicker: traditional goal-setting can clash with this avoidance strategy. Goals that involve moving toward something can trigger inner conflict for those of us who've become experts at steering clear of obstacles.

But fear not! Instead of seeing unmet goals as personal failures, let's explore the brain's landscape and how it influences our actions. Our nervous system plays a key role, shedding light on why follow-through can feel like navigating a maze in the dark.

So, why does avoidance matter, and how can we tweak our goal-setting to mesh better with our brain's natural tendencies?

Avoidance isn't just a quirky trait; it's deeply rooted in our survival instincts. When faced with challenges, our brains often default to avoiding discomfort—a strategy that's served us well throughout evolution. However, in the context of goal-setting, this instinct can throw a wrench into the works.

Adapting our approach means recognizing that our brain's preference for avoiding discomfort can make goals pushing us out of our comfort zones seem overwhelming. Instead of beating ourselves up, let's reframe it. Our brains aren't wired for easy change; they're built to conserve energy and keep things familiar.

By acknowledging avoidance as a natural response to challenges, we can approach goal-setting with compassion and curiosity. Rather than setting massive goals triggering avoidance, let's break things into bite-sized steps. It not only makes the journey less overwhelming but also aligns with our brain's love for gradual change.

Digging deeper into the root causes of avoidance, often linked to past experiences or traumas, can also offer profound insights. Understanding where avoidance patterns come from lets us work toward releasing their hold on our behavior and create a more supportive environment for achieving our goals.

Feeling stuck and unable to follow through? That's where working with a trauma and resiliency coach comes in. Learn more about why you do what you do, get tools, and support to create new habits. Ready to chat? Schedule your free consultation today!