Are These 3 Subconscious Triggers Stopping You from Reaching Your Goals?

As high achievers, we all have big goals we want to accomplish. Whether it’s landing that promotion, growing your business, or improving your personal life, we have a vision of success that drives us. But for many professionals, even the most determined ones, something always seems to get in the way. And that something often lives in your subconscious.

The truth is, there are mental blocks we all face—subconscious triggers that sabotage our efforts without us even realizing it. These triggers manifest in ways that feel like a natural part of who we are, but in reality, they’re keeping us stuck in a pattern of self-sabotage. They’re ingrained, often deep within your psyche, and they show up in ways that halt your progress, causing you to question yourself and doubt your abilities.

Today, let’s talk about the three biggest subconscious triggers that might be preventing you from reaching your goals. If you’re finding yourself hitting walls despite your hard work and determination, this could be the reason why.

1. Fear of Judgment

Fear of judgment is an incredibly powerful subconscious trigger. It shows up as a deep concern that others will think less of you if you fail or even if you succeed in a way that challenges their expectations of you. This fear often holds us back from taking risks or putting ourselves out there because the idea of judgment feels so uncomfortable. But here's the thing: most of the time, the judgment you fear is in your head. The reality is that people are often too focused on their own lives to worry about yours. And even if they do judge you, that doesn’t define your worth or your success.

This fear keeps you from pursuing new opportunities, speaking up in meetings, or sharing your ideas and vision. You stay quiet, and you stay small, because the thought of judgment feels more threatening than the possibility of success.

2. Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a subtle but dangerous mental trap that many professionals fall into. It convinces you that everything must be perfect—your work, your image, your relationships—before you can take any action or move forward. But perfectionism isn't about striving for excellence. It’s about avoiding mistakes at all costs, and it often leads to procrastination, burnout, and self-doubt. You spend more time worrying about getting everything “just right” than you do actually making progress.

The problem with perfectionism is that it’s a form of resistance. The more you delay taking action, the further you get from achieving your goals. Perfectionism sets unrealistic standards that no one can meet, including you, and as a result, you avoid putting your true potential out there.

3. Overthinking

Overthinking is another huge barrier to success. It’s easy to get caught in the cycle of analysis paralysis, where you overthink every decision, question every move, and create endless mental scenarios about what could go wrong. While it’s natural to want to make the best decisions, overthinking drains your energy and slows you down. Instead of taking action, you get trapped in the loop of “what-ifs” and “buts,” preventing you from making the bold moves necessary to reach your goals.

The more time you spend thinking about the potential outcomes, the less time you spend actually working toward your goal. This can leave you feeling stuck, uncertain, and unsure of how to move forward.

Your Challenge for Today:

Identify one fear or subconscious trigger that’s been holding you back from reaching your goals. Is it the fear of judgment, the weight of perfectionism, or the cycle of overthinking? Write it down, and then think about one small step you can take to face it head-on. It could be as simple as deciding to take action despite the fear or allowing yourself to make mistakes along the way. The key is to stop letting these triggers control your progress.

"Harmony is the key to success. When your mind, body, and spirit are in alignment, you can achieve anything you set your heart to." - Harmony Woodington

Feeling motivated? Please share this article with your network to inspire others to build their success gardens!

Want to learn more or need help with building your success habits? Reach out to me!

https://www.coachingwithharmony.com/

All the love from me to you,

Harmony Woodington

Executive Neuroscience Coach