Ep 185: The 5 Biggest Obstacles to Member Progress (And How to Overcome Them)
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The 5 Biggest Obstacles to Member Progress (And How to Overcome Them)
You’ve added more content. You’ve created more deliverables. You’ve given members every possible tool they need to succeed. And yet, some of them still aren’t making progress.
The truth is, progress isn’t just about what you provide. Even with all the right resources, members can still get stuck—not because of what’s missing in your membership, but because of the internal and external barriers that hold them back.
If you want to increase retention and create a membership where members actually see results, you need to understand why progress stalls and how to design your membership to remove those roadblocks.
The 5 Core Obstacles That Block Member Progress
Every reason a member isn’t moving forward falls into one of five categories. If you want higher retention, your membership needs to address all five.
1. Belief – Do They Believe They Can Succeed?
If a member doesn’t believe success is possible for them, they won’t even try.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset – If they believe their abilities are fixed, they may assume progress is out of their control.
Self-Efficacy – If they don’t believe their efforts will lead to results, they’ll disengage before they start.
Fear-Based Avoidance – Fear of failure, judgment, or even success can cause hesitation and inaction.
How to Help:
Share success stories to reinforce that results are possible.
Create small, easy wins to build confidence.
Reinforce that progress isn’t linear—even small steps forward matter.
2. Clarity – Do They Know What to Do Next?
Many members don’t need more content—they need clear direction.
Decision Paralysis – Too many choices can lead to inaction.
Overwhelm – A massive content library with no clear path can feel impossible to navigate.
Lack of a Progress Path – If they don’t know the next step, they’re more likely to quit.
How to Help:
Provide a structured progress path instead of leaving members to figure it out.
Reduce overwhelm by only showing them what they need right now.
Offer personalized guidance through assessments, coaching, or curated recommendations.
3. Ability – Do They Have the Skills, Knowledge, and Tools to Take Action?
Even if a member knows what to do, they might not be able to do it.
Skills Gap – They lack the technical or practical skills to implement what they’re learning.
Missing Information – They feel like they don’t know enough to start.
Lack of Tools or Support – They don’t have access to the right resources, technology, or guidance.
How to Help:
Provide skill-building resources for those who need them.
Offer tech or tool recommendations to remove external roadblocks.
Encourage community-driven support where members can help each other.
4. Motivation – Do They Have a Strong Enough Reason to Keep Going?
Motivation isn’t just about willpower—it’s about how we’re wired.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation – Some members are driven by curiosity and mastery, while others need external rewards or accountability.
Fear vs. Desire – Fear of loss often outweighs motivation for success.
Emotional Energy – If they feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or disengaged, they won’t take action.
How to Help:
Connect progress to real-world benefits to make it personally meaningful.
Use accountability strategies like check-ins, challenges, or peer support.
Create milestone incentives to reward action.
5. Time – Do They Feel Like They Have the Time to Make Progress?
Time is one of the biggest excuses for why members don’t take action.
Actual Time Constraints – They have too many competing priorities.
Perceived Lack of Time – They feel busy, but in reality, they’re struggling with prioritization.
Commitment Level – They think they can “get to it later” but never do.
How to Help:
Help them see the ROI of making time now instead of later.
Design content for quick wins so progress doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Encourage habit-building so they integrate learning into their routine.
Why More Deliverables Won’t Solve These Problems
Most membership owners try to fix these problems by adding more content, more bonuses, and more features.
But more deliverables won’t:
Change what a member believes about themselves
Create clarity where there is none
Give them skills they don’t have
Make them care more
Add more time to their day
If you want higher retention and better results, you need to design your membership journey to help members overcome these obstacles—not just give them more content.
How to Apply This to Your Membership
If your members are getting stuck, the question isn’t what else can I give them? The question is what’s holding them back?
Do they believe they can succeed?
Do they know what to do next?
Do they have the skills and tools to take action?
Are they motivated enough to keep going?
Do they feel like they have the time to commit?
Retention strategies need to consider all five obstacles when designing a member journey, onboarding experience, and engagement strategy.
That’s why I put together my Membership Retention Roadmap at retainguide.com. It walks you through the five key systems you need to keep members engaged longer.
If you want to keep more members and help them make real progress, go to retainguide.com and start designing your membership for success.
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