Out of Reach: How to Get What You Want
Out of Reach: How to Get What You Want
We’ve all had a goal, a dream, or a desire that felt just out of reach.
It might be a career leap.
Or a financial goal.
Or even something as simple as believing you deserve what you’re asking for.
The problem isn’t that we don’t want it badly enough. Rather, the issue lies in how our brain responds when we reach for something big—something that feels unreachable or unapproachable.
Why Your Brain Resists What Feels Unreachable
Your brain’s first job is not to make you successful—it’s to keep you safe. Specifically, that includes protecting you from disappointment, embarrassment, and failure.
As a result, when you set your sights on something that feels big, bold, or out of the ordinary, your brain does something sneaky:
It quietly tries to talk you out of it.
For example, it tells you:
- “That’s not realistic.”
- “You’re not ready yet.”
- “Don’t say it out loud or people will think you’re crazy.”
It might even hide the dream from you entirely—because if you never try, you’ll never fail.
Ultimately, this is how self-sabotage begins. Learn more about overcoming self-sabotage here.
Visualize What You Want—Even If It Feels Unaccessible
he first step isn’t strategy. Instead, it’s identity.
Your brain has to believe that you’re the kind of person who gets that thing you want.
So, how do you do that?
- Look back at what you’ve already accomplished. In doing so, remind your brain: you’ve done hard things before.
- You’ve grown into goals you once thought were out of reach.
- Use a vision board—or even a simple list.
- Write down the things you want to experience, own, or achieve.
- Create the emotional experience of already having it.
Once that belief is in place, your brain starts scanning for ways to make it happen.
Consequently, you stop looking for obstacles and start looking for opportunities. Explore our guide to visualization techniques here.
Focus on the Feeling, Not the Fear of the Unapproachable
When a dream feels unreachable, most people try to break it down into smaller steps—and that’s not a bad thing.
However, if you do that before your brain believes the dream is real, it’ll just get overwhelmed.
Instead, start here:
- To begin, write it down. Be specific. Claim it.
- Visualize it weekly. Or daily.
- Get emotionally connected to the outcome.
- Trust your brain to find a way.
Final Thought
If something feels out of reach right now, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Rather, it just means your brain hasn’t built the bridge yet.
Start with belief.
Start with intention.
Then, let your brain do what it’s wired to do—solve problems, create patterns, and guide you to what you’ve already decided is yours.
Need help setting goals? Check out our goal-setting framework here.