Real-world examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting

Everyday examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting at work

Let’s start with the workplace, because that’s where so many goals go to die under a pile of meetings and emails. These examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting show how real people adjust instead of giving up.

Example of overcoming the “no time” problem

Picture a mid-level marketing manager, Maya, who wants to earn a professional certification within a year. Her obstacle: she’s already working 50+ hours a week and feels like there is zero extra time.

Instead of abandoning the goal, she treats time as a design problem, not a moral failure. She:

• Breaks a 12-month certification goal into weekly 90-minute study blocks.
• Puts those blocks on her calendar as “meetings with herself,” just like any client call.
• Commits to studying during her commute twice a week using audio lessons.

The obstacle doesn’t disappear—her schedule is still packed—but she learns to work around it. This is one of the best examples of how micro-changes can keep a long-term goal alive. Research on habit formation suggests that consistent, small routines are more sustainable than big, irregular efforts, especially in busy lives (Harvard Business Review).

Example of dealing with low motivation and “I’ll start later”

Now think of Jordan, a software engineer who wants to build a portfolio of side projects to qualify for a senior role. His obstacle is classic: motivation comes in waves. Some weeks he’s fired up; others he just wants to watch TV and scroll.

Instead of waiting to “feel inspired,” Jordan redesigns his environment:

• He sets a minimum action rule: 15 minutes of coding three evenings a week, even if he’s tired.
• He joins an online study group where members share weekly progress.
• He tracks his progress visually with a simple calendar and checks off every day he works on his goal.

Motivation stops being the boss. Systems and accountability take over. This is one of the clearest examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting by shifting from relying on willpower to relying on structure.

Career development examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting

Let’s move beyond daily habits and look at bigger career moves. These examples include promotions, job changes, and career pivots—where the stakes feel higher and the fears get louder.

Example of turning fear of failure into a test run

Alex, a customer service rep, wants to move into project management. The obstacle: intense fear of failure and imposter syndrome. They worry, “What if I try and everyone sees I’m not good enough?”

Here’s how Alex works through it:

• Instead of jumping straight into a project manager job search, Alex volunteers to coordinate a small, internal process-improvement project.
• They ask a trusted manager to give feedback halfway through instead of waiting until the end.
• They treat this as a test run, not a final exam.

This small-scale experiment gives Alex evidence that they can manage timelines, stakeholders, and outcomes. It’s one of the best examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting by shrinking the risk. They don’t erase fear; they make the first step less scary.

Example of recovering after missing a promotion goal

Next, meet Taylor (different Taylor!), an HR generalist who sets a goal: “Get promoted to HR Manager within 12 months.” At the end of the year, the promotion goes to someone else. The obstacle: disappointment, self-doubt, and the temptation to shut down.

Instead of quitting mentally, Taylor reframes the setback as data:

• They schedule a feedback conversation with their manager and ask specific questions: “What skills or experiences did the selected candidate have that I don’t yet?”
• Together, they identify two concrete development goals: leading more cross-functional projects and improving data analysis skills.
• Taylor sets a new 12–18 month plan with milestones, not just a single promotion date.

This is a powerful example of overcoming obstacles in goal setting after a failure. The original goal wasn’t met, but the process evolves instead of ending. The obstacle becomes information.

Health and burnout: examples of adjusting goals when you’re exhausted

Career goals don’t exist in a vacuum. Your body and brain come to work with you every day. Burnout is a huge obstacle to goal setting right now, especially in high-pressure fields.

Example of resetting goals during burnout

Consider Priya, a high-performing sales professional who sets a goal to increase her numbers by 30% year-over-year. Halfway through the year, she’s sleeping poorly, snapping at coworkers, and dreading each workday. Classic burnout signs, which the Mayo Clinic describes as work-related exhaustion that affects your energy, motivation, and job satisfaction (Mayo Clinic).

Her original goal is now working against her health.

Here’s how she overcomes that obstacle:

• She temporarily pauses her stretch target and replaces it with a stability goal: maintain current performance while restoring health.
• She sets new, health-supporting micro-goals: a daily walk at lunch, a fixed “no work email after 8 p.m.” rule, and one therapy session per week.
• After three months, she revisits her sales goal with a clearer head and adjusts it to a realistic 15% increase.

This is one of the most important real examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting: sometimes you don’t push harder—you pull back, regroup, and protect your long-term capacity.

Example of managing a health diagnosis while pursuing a career goal

Now imagine Luis, a data analyst accepted into a part-time master’s program. A month before classes start, he’s diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that requires regular medical appointments and better stress management.

The obstacle: balancing a demanding job, grad school, and health.

Luis and his doctor talk through realistic energy levels and stress triggers, using guidance similar to what organizations like the National Institutes of Health share about chronic conditions and fatigue (NIH). Then Luis:

• Switches from a 2-year accelerated track to a 3-year track.
• Builds “recovery windows” into his weekly schedule, treating rest as a non-negotiable task.
• Tells his academic advisor about his condition early and asks about accommodations if needed.

The degree goal stays, but the path changes. This is a clear example of overcoming obstacles in goal setting by aligning ambition with reality, not denial.

Life happens: real examples of adjusting goals after big changes

Life events—layoffs, caregiving, relocation—can blow up even the best-planned goals. Here are real examples of examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting when the whole context shifts.

Example of rebuilding after a layoff

Sam, a mid-career operations manager, starts the year with a goal to “lead a company-wide efficiency initiative” at their current employer. Three months in, the company restructures, and Sam is laid off.

Their obstacle: shock, financial anxiety, and a complete loss of the original context for the goal.

Instead of clinging to the old plan, Sam rewrites their goals in stages:

• Stage 1 (30 days): Stabilize. File for unemployment benefits, cut non-essential expenses, update resume and LinkedIn.
• Stage 2 (60–120 days): Reposition. Target roles that emphasize operations and process improvement, framing past experience as “efficiency leadership.”
• Stage 3 (after landing a new role): Rebuild the original goal in a new environment: lead a cross-functional process-improvement project in the first 12 months.

This layered approach is one of the best examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting when circumstances wipe the slate clean. The spirit of the original goal survives, but the timeline and setting change.

Example of balancing caregiving and career growth

Finally, meet Dana, a senior accountant who plans to sit for the CPA exam while aiming for a promotion. Midway through the year, a parent has a serious health issue, and Dana becomes a primary caregiver.

The obstacle: emotional strain, unpredictable schedules, and limited mental bandwidth.

Dana’s first instinct is to power through, but that only leads to exhaustion. Instead, Dana:

• Pushes the CPA exam timeline back by one testing window.
• Talks openly with their manager about the caregiving situation and negotiates a temporary adjustment in workload.
• Reframes the promotion goal from “this year” to “within the next 24 months,” focusing on steady progress.

This is a grounded example of overcoming obstacles in goal setting by prioritizing sustainability. The goal isn’t abandoned; it’s stretched to fit a new reality.

How people actually overcome common goal-setting obstacles

Let’s pull these stories together into some patterns. When you look across these real examples of examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting, a few strategies show up again and again.

They shrink goals into smaller, winnable pieces

Whether it’s Maya’s study blocks or Jordan’s 15-minute coding rule, big goals become less scary when you chunk them down. Research on behavior change shows that smaller, specific actions are more likely to be repeated, which is exactly what you need for long-term goals (American Psychological Association).

They change the environment, not just their mindset

Jordan didn’t wait for motivation; he changed his environment with a study group and visual tracking. Alex didn’t just “think positive”; they created a low-risk project to test their skills. These examples include practical tweaks to schedules, surroundings, and expectations.

They treat setbacks as data, not identity

Taylor missing a promotion and Sam facing a layoff both show this clearly. The obstacle isn’t “I’m not good enough”; it’s “I’m missing certain skills” or “this context changed.” That shift in thinking turns failure into information you can use.

They adjust timelines without abandoning the vision

Luis, Priya, and Dana all keep their core goals (degree, performance, promotion) but adjust timelines and intensity. That flexibility is one of the best examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting that you can copy: hold your direction loosely enough to adapt.

How to apply these examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting to your own life

Reading stories is helpful, but the real value comes when you translate them into your own situation. Here’s a simple way to do that, without turning your life into a spreadsheet.

Start with three questions:

• What’s one goal that actually matters to you this year? Not ten. One.
• What’s the biggest obstacle in the way right now? Time, energy, fear, money, skills, or something else.
• Which real examples above feel closest to your situation? That’s your template.

Then, borrow from the examples:

• If your obstacle is time, copy Maya’s approach: schedule small, recurring blocks and protect them.
• If your obstacle is motivation, copy Jordan: set a minimum action rule and add accountability.
• If your obstacle is fear of failure, copy Alex: create a test run instead of a giant leap.
• If your obstacle is burnout or health, copy Priya or Luis: reduce intensity, protect recovery, and adjust timelines.
• If your obstacle is life upheaval, copy Sam or Dana: break your goals into stages and extend your timeline.

You’re not starting from scratch. You’re remixing proven patterns from real examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting and tailoring them to your own career and life.

FAQ: Examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting

What is a simple example of overcoming obstacles in goal setting at work?

A simple example of overcoming obstacles in goal setting at work is committing to a 15-minute daily action toward your goal, like Jordan’s coding sessions. The obstacle—low motivation—doesn’t vanish, but a tiny, repeatable habit keeps the goal moving forward.

Can you give examples of how to handle failure when you miss a career goal?

Yes. When Taylor didn’t get the promotion they wanted, they asked for specific feedback, identified missing skills, and turned those into new development goals. That’s a practical example of turning failure into a roadmap instead of a dead end.

What are some real examples of balancing health and career goals?

Luis adjusting his degree timeline after a health diagnosis and Priya scaling back her performance target during burnout are strong real examples. Both kept their long-term goals but changed pace, workload, and support systems to protect their health.

What is an example of resetting goals after a layoff?

Sam’s story is a clear example of overcoming obstacles in goal setting after a layoff. They first stabilized finances and job search basics, then used their original goal—leading efficiency initiatives—as a theme in targeting new roles and projects once employed again.

How can I use these examples of overcoming obstacles in goal setting in my own career plan?

Start by naming your biggest obstacle honestly, then find the story above that feels closest. Borrow the strategy used in that example—shrinking the goal, adjusting the timeline, asking for feedback, or redesigning your schedule—and test it for 30 days. Treat it as an experiment, not a permanent decision.