Creating a list of WOWs is empowering. It gives you a starting point and insights into what lights you up. However, saying you want more WOW! Moments in your life and actually experiencing them are two different things. Ideas require action, otherwise, they can easily be forgotten or, even worse, create future regrets.

I recently realized that I have some resistance around WOW! Moments. A couple of months ago, I set the intention of going on solo adventures. I envisioned doing something fun at least once a week. I created a list of ideas to help me plan if an opportunity didn’t spontaneously arise. 

But then I didn’t do anything.

At first, I shrugged it off. “I am too busy right now to add adventure to my calendar,” I told myself. But I knew it was something more. Maybe you’re hitting roadblocks in your pursuit of WOWs, too? To push through, you’ll need to determine what’s holding you back. I took these three steps.

1. Get to the Root Cause

Working with a coach, I explored my resistance to determine its root cause. Part of the reason is that I tend to be a homebody. Give me a comfy pair of sweats and an intriguing Netflix series, and I’m in heaven. With greater reflection, though, I realized that the thought of going on a solo adventure made me feel alone. In fact, it reminded me that I am alone, and that triggered sadness.

I was experiencing cognitive dissonance. I wanted to get out into the world and pursue fun activities, but those activities also made me sad. Sadness and fun don’t go together. My coach challenged that thought. He encouraged me to discover if sadness and play could coexist, and that felt intriguing.

While having a trusted friend who can talk you through your sticking points can be invaluable, it’s possible to troubleshoot the problem yourself. One technique is to ask yourself why until you get to the root. For example: 

• Why do I feel resistance around going on solo adventures? Because I’d rather stay home. 
• Why do you want to stay home? Because I feel safe there. 
• Why do you feel safe at home? Because I am alone. 
• Why is being alone holding you back? Because it reminds me that my husband died, which makes me sad.

2. Reconnect to Your Why

Once you determine the root cause, ask yourself why you wanted to do the WOW! Moment in the first place. WOW! Moments are personal, and there is always a reason why you choose them.

For me, I want to go on solo adventures to get used to doing things independently. I don’t want to wait to be invited somewhere. I want to enjoy my own company. I also want to balance my life with fun. I know life is too short, and I want to live it with a sense of adventure.

3. Add Accountability

The next step is to add a layer of accountability. In my case, I told my coach when and where I would go for my next solo adventure: the art museum in my city. I went to its website and discovered that they were holding a special art event for adults based on a Beatrix Potter exhibit. I signed up.

Paying for a ticket in advance provided even more motivation and accountability for going. Once I got to the art museum event, I noticed three other women in the class who were there alone. I ended up having a great time.

What’s holding you back? Recognizing the root cause, reconnecting to your “why,” and building in accountability are three steps that will help put you back on the path to WOW!