When we set goals, whether in our business, career, or personal life. many times the reason we don’t succeed has nothing to do with ability or resources. It has everything to do with mindset.
Negative thinking, self-doubt, and excuses can derail even the best plans. But with the right mindset shifts for success, you can stay motivated, follow through, and finally reach your goals.
I like to think of the reminders I get in these moments as “little whispers from God.” They often show up when I need them most, nudging me to stop focusing on what I can’t do and instead find ways to move forward.
The defeated mindset happens when you give up before you even begin.
For example, let’s say you set a goal to walk 10,000 steps a day. By week two, you find yourself saying: “I won’t hit that tomorrow.”
But how do you know that before the day even begins? That’s the defeated mindset talking. It convinces you that your goal is out of reach, even when there are solutions available.
This shows up in more than just fitness. You may have caught yourself saying:
“I’ll never get this project done on time.”
“I can’t grow my side hustle while working full-time.”
“I’ll never get my home or business organized.”
Sound familiar? The defeated mindset limits your options. A determined mindset asks: “How can I make this work?”
One of the most effective goal-setting strategies is breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. This works in every area of life:
Fitness: Can’t find 45 minutes for a walk? Schedule three 15-minute sessions instead.
Business: Overwhelmed by a big project? Break it into milestones and celebrate progress along the way.
Home: Struggling with organization? Start with one drawer, one file, or one digital folder.
The key is to stop letting the “all-or-nothing” mindset block your progress. Every small step builds momentum.
Obstacles are inevitable, but excuses don’t have to be. This is where Plan B strategies make all the difference. Before obstacles show up, anticipating roadblocks will help you adjust quickly without losing momentum.
If it rains during your walk, try an indoor step class or hop on a stationary bike.
If your evening schedule shifts, walk at lunch or early morning instead.
If technology fails, keep a backup tool or alternative plan ready.
Plan Bs don’t mean failure. They mean you’ve anticipated challenges and prepared ways to keep moving forward. They protect your momentum and reduce the temptation to quit.
I’ll admit, I struggle with this too. When I began working from home, my natural movement dropped drastically. No hallway chats. No trips to a colleague’s desk. Just long hours in front of my computer.
To overcome this, I had to create new systems:
Movement breaks: I block out short segments of time in my calendar just to get up and move.
Multi-tasking movement: I use those breaks to knock out small household tasks while adding steps.
Reliable tracking: I replaced my old fitness device so I couldn’t use a lost charger as an excuse.
Truthfully, I never completely conquered this before I started working in the office more, but I am much more cognizant of getting up throughout the day to walk around and give myself breaks. My tracker constantly tells me I haven't been moving and when I see days when I didn't do so well, I set a goal for the next day.
I want you to take my story as a lesson, you aren't going to be perfect but acknowledging where you have fallen short and identify a road to success is the first step. Then begin niching down on fixing the problem one day at a time. Give yourself grace, but also be honest regarding what is going on.
The same applies to business or personal goals. Sometimes your environment changes, and you have to design systems that help you adapt. Then, work at implementing those adaptions one step at a time.
One thing I tell my teams often is: “Don’t bring me a problem without a solution.” It’s advice I’ve had to apply to myself.
Excuses are easy. But if we’re serious about our goals, excuses can’t be the default. By shifting to productivity mindset tips, like breaking goals into pieces and planning alternatives, we strengthen the habits that drive long-term success.
Dr. Lacrecia Dangerfield, a past guest on Organized Holistically, once shared that sometimes the advice she gave others was really advice she needed herself. That resonates deeply with me because coaching isn’t just about me teaching—it’s about me learning too.
When I coach you, I’m not just speaking at you. I've either walked or are walking the same road, I've fought or are fighting the same excuses, and I've learned or are learning the same lessons.
Trust me, I’m in the trenches with you. These struggles are real, and you aren't the only one who has had to face them. I face them too.
If you want to reach your goals—whether in health, business, or personal life—you must shift your mindset, anticipate obstacles, and refuse to let excuses dictate your actions.
Ask yourself today:
Remember: success isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most—and doing it with determination.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore my available coaching opportunities where I help women, solopreneurs, and side-hustlers break through limiting mindsets and create practical systems that work.
The content shared on DLMorales.com strives to teach side-hustling and full-time solopreneurs how to manage a successful business and life using holistic systems. The text in this post is provided by DLMorales and edited by ChatGPT. The goal is to help you identify the right systems and processes so you aren't spending money or time on unnecessary things and instead can spend that time and money focusing on the things that are most important to you, your family.
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