If you are feeling stuck, barred from success—from achieving the life that you know you deserve— let me first assure you that the universe has not conspired against you. Opportunity is still knocking. You can still reach your goals. But first, you have to do the work to change your mindset, address your “issues”, and create the habits that help you succeed.

Feeling Barred from Success

Change is never easy and positive changes are no exception. Many people imagine that if they are seeking positivity in their life (i.e. improved health, more money, stronger marriages) then the necessary steps to achieve them won’t feel hard or burdensome. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it can be harder to begin new, healthier habits than to quit or replace old unhealthy ones.

Get some help

There is nothing wrong with admitting that you need help. If you could’ve fixed everything on your own you would have done so long ago. The old African proverb says “those who want to go fast, go alone. Those who want to go far go together”. If you are having trouble managing the stress of your situation don’t hesitate to seek help from a counselor.

Therapy is a great way to help you learn positive coping techniques, develop accountability, and get clarity on the source of your stressors. Get accountability partners; people in your life who will check in on you and make sure you are continuing to walk forward into your best life. This is a grand journey, don’t go it alone.

Attend personal growth seminars

Invest in yourself. Too often the people who feel shackled in life are people who invest in everybody but themselves. Take the time to attend workshops, seminars, and retreats designed to help enrich your inner life so that you can enhance your outer life. Even if you are surrounded by supportive influences, good advice often penetrates deeper when it comes from those removed from your daily life.

Meditate

Regardless of your personal, religious, or spiritual beliefs, there is a form of meditation that will perfectly suit you. Take time to meditate every day. Meditation has been proven to lower stress, reduce anxiety, fight memory loss, and has been linked to longevity. It will also help you get some clarity on your goals, your life, and what’s truly holding you back. If you re not an experienced meditator, you can do an Internet search for “meditation.” you will find books and videos as well as guided meditations and meditation music that can help you get started. For more click here.

Set good goals

Often we fail to move forward because we aren’t really sure about where we are headed. Setting solid, clear goals is essential to growth. That doesn’t mean that your goals can’t change it evolve over time. It simply means that in order to begin this journey you will need a definite destination. Use vision boards, mind mapping, or whatever technique works best for you to develop your goals. Write them down and review them regularly. Use them as a compass to help point you in the right direction.

If you change what’s happening internally, you will see amazing benefits in the rest of your life. Healthier relationships, emotional balance, even financial stability can be yours. You will no longer feel barred from success. But first, you have to do the work.