You know the drill: you set a goal, get excited, map out the perfect plan… and then, mysteriously, progress fizzles out. What happened? Your habits happened.

According to The Habit Factor, goals don’t just magically materialise—you reach them by changing the habits that block your progress. Instead of fixating on the end result, focus on transforming the behaviours that quietly sabotage your success.

Step 1: Spot the Sneaky Habit Roadblocks

Bad habits don’t always show up waving red flags. Sometimes, they pretend to be important tasks.

For example, I’ve been researching online income strategies for over ten years. I’ve started affiliate marketing, explored stock investments, built websites. Yet, every time I hit friction—confusing tech setups, algorithm changes, unexpected busywork—I mysteriously become obsessed with reorganising my spice rack. Or perfecting my pond design. Or deep-diving into unrelated tasks that feel productive but stall my actual goal.

The problem isn’t effort—it’s habit. The moment things get tricky, my brain defaults to comfort-zone distractions.

I remember one particular evening when I was supposed to finalise a blog draft. Instead, I spent hours meticulously arranging my bookshelf by colour. It felt satisfying, but deep down, I knew I was avoiding the real work. That’s the sneaky nature of habit roadblocks—they disguise themselves as harmless or even helpful activities.

Here’s another example: I once had a simple task to send a follow-up email. It wasn’t hard, but I kept putting it off. Instead, I decided to clean the bathroom—a task I usually avoid. The irony? If cleaning the bathroom had been the original task, I probably would have sent the email instead. This highlights how our brains can trick us into prioritising avoidance over progress.

Step 2: Replace the Habit, Not Just Chase the Goal

Instead of focusing on the outcome, target the habit itself.

• Old Habit: Feeling overwhelmed → avoiding work with unrelated distractions.
• New Habit: Hitting an obstacle → tackling one micro-task instead of escaping.

Small habit swaps prevent derailing and keep momentum going.

I’ve learnt that the key is to start small. When I feel the urge to escape into distractions, I now pause and ask myself: “What’s one tiny step I can take right now?” It could be as simple as jotting down a rough outline or writing a single sentence. These micro-actions build momentum and make the task feel less daunting.

A good example was when I opened a new browser page, the page was filled with news of the day and I would get sucked in reading the article which either lead me to start googling more about the news article or ringing my sister to tell her what I had read and having an hour discussion about that and everything else unrelated, most of the time was listening to her eating crisps or banging pots while she did the dishes. So, though it took a very long time to realise the pattern, when I did, I finally changed the browser to open and show my Google calendar. If I want to read the news now, I have to seek it out actively, and my life is better for it physically and mentally.

Step 3: Use the P.A.R.R. Method

The Habit Factor’s P.A.R.R. methodology helps structure habit-building:

1. Plan – Define the habit that leads to your goal.
2. Act – Take small, consistent steps.
3. Record – Track progress to stay accountable.
4. Reassess – Adjust as needed to refine the habit.

Instead of researching endlessly, I now set focused, timed action steps—no more drifting into pond-planning when I should be writing a blog.

One of my most transformative moments was when I started using a habit tracker. Seeing my progress visually—whether it’s a streak of completed tasks or a graph showing improvement—gave me a sense of accomplishment and motivated me to keep going.

Step 4: Make Success Inevitable

Environment matters. If distractions stall progress, eliminate them. If motivation wavers, create visual cues—sticky notes, progress trackers, anything that keeps habits front and centre.

I’ve found that setting up a dedicated workspace has been a game-changer. By removing clutter and keeping only the essentials within reach, I’ve created an environment that encourages focus and minimises distractions. Additionally, I use a whiteboard to jot down my daily priorities—it’s a simple yet effective way to stay on track.

Conclusion

Now, what’s your sneaky habit holding you back?