Barrier Brainstorm

Use this discussion right after the “Identifying Your Barriers” slide in Feeling Stuck Slides. The goal is to help the student surface and explore both internal and external barriers in a safe, structured way.

Tutor Guidelines

• Create a supportive, nonjudgmental atmosphere.
• Ask open-ended questions and resist the urge to offer solutions too early.
• Listen for recurring themes or emotional triggers and gently probe for deeper insights.
• Encourage the student to elaborate with “Can you tell me more about that?” or “Why do you think that comes up?”

Discussion Prompts

1. Identifying Internal Barriers

• What thoughts, feelings, or self-talk hold you back when you try to get started?
• Recall a recent time you felt stuck—what was going through your mind at the moment?
• Which emotions (e.g., doubt, fear, boredom) come up most often?

Follow-Ups

• “How long have you noticed this pattern?”
• “What does that voice in your head say about you or your work?”

2. Identifying External Barriers

• What outside factors (e.g., noise, notifications, family demands) interrupt your focus?
• How does your workspace or daily schedule affect your ability to stay on track?
• Are there specific classes or assignments that feel particularly overwhelming? Why?

Follow-Ups

• “What time of day do you notice distractions most?”
• “How could we modify your environment or routine to reduce these interruptions?”

3. Spotting Patterns & Prioritizing

• Looking at your lists above, what themes or recurring triggers do you notice?
• Which barrier (internal or external) feels most urgent to address first?
• Why does tackling this one matter for your overall progress?

Follow-Ups

• “If you could remove one barrier today, which would it be?”
• “How would overcoming that change the way you feel about your work?”

Transition to Next Step

Once you’ve mapped out the most significant barriers, move on to the Strategy Roadmap Worksheet to brainstorm concrete solutions and build a step-by-step plan.

Strategy Roadmap Creation

Use this worksheet after completing the Barrier Brainstorm Guide to turn your top barriers into a step-by-step action plan.

Instructions

1. Review your prioritized barriers from the brainstorming activity.
2. For each barrier, brainstorm at least two concrete strategies.
3. Break each strategy into clear milestones and identify needed resources.
4. Assign a realistic timeline for each milestone.

(Add more rows above if you have additional barriers.)

Next Steps

Once your strategy roadmap is complete, proceed to the Next-Step Commitments Journal to set short- and long-term commitments and plan for follow-up.

Next-Step Commitments Journal

Use this journal to solidify your action plan by committing to short- and long-term steps, anticipating challenges, and drafting contingency strategies.

1. Short-Term Commitment (1–2 weeks)

Describe one specific action you will take in the next one to two weeks to address your most urgent barrier.

2. Long-Term Commitment (1–2 months)

Outline a goal or habit you will work on over the next one to two months to sustain your progress and build momentum.

3. Potential Obstacles

Identify at least two obstacles that might prevent you from keeping these commitments.

• Obstacle 1:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Obstacle 2:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Contingency Plans

For each obstacle above, describe a backup plan or strategy to stay on track if that obstacle arises.

• Plan for Obstacle 1:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Plan for Obstacle 2:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. Reflection

How will achieving these commitments affect your motivation, confidence, and overall progress? What will success look and feel like?

When you’ve completed this journal, we’ll review your commitments together and schedule a follow-up check-in to celebrate progress and adjust plans as needed. Good luck—you’ve got this!