The Three Drivers and Three Barriers Review
Make a physical goal visible by naming its strongest reasons and obstacles
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~days to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 95%
Aragon says major body-composition changes are difficult and often fail when several other priorities repeatedly displace the program. His practical coaching exercise asks the person to write three good outcomes or drivers for the goal, then list the three largest stumbling blocks. Keeping both sets visible reminds the person what the work serves and exposes the situations most likely to interrupt it. A useful extension is to attach a concrete countermeasure to each barrier before it occurs. Aragon is clear that this exercise only facilitates commitment: the person must ultimately decide that the goal matters enough. The framework should therefore reveal an honest priority decision, including the possibility that now is not the right time, rather than treating every competing responsibility as an excuse.
Origin
Aragon describes this as an exercise a trainer or coach can use to help someone examine motivation and likely obstacles.
Core principles
- 01A demanding physical goal must rank high enough to survive competing priorities
- 02Reasons for change are more useful when written and visible
- 03Known barriers can be planned for before they interrupt execution
- 04A coach can facilitate commitment but cannot manufacture it
How to run it
- 1
Define the commitment
Name the exact physical outcome and the routine it would require. Decide whether the current season of life can realistically support it.
Pro tip Use a concrete outcome and time horizon rather than 'get healthier.'
Watch out Health and essential responsibilities may rightly take priority.
- 2
Write three drivers
List three meaningful benefits or reasons for pursuing the goal. Keep them specific enough to matter when motivation falls.
Pro tip Choose reasons that remain relevant after the initial excitement fades.
- 3
Write three barriers
Name the three most likely stumbling blocks, including scheduling, fatigue, food environment, or competing obligations. Avoid disguising uncontrollable constraints as personal failure.
Pro tip Use barriers that have actually disrupted similar plans before.
- 4
Pre-plan the response
Attach one practical countermeasure to each barrier and keep the drivers and barriers visible. Review them when adherence starts to slip.
Pro tip Make each response small enough to execute under stress.
Watch out The transcript specifies the lists but not a complete behavior-change protocol.
- 5
Reconfirm the priority
Judge honestly whether the goal remains important enough to support the required actions. Adjust the goal or timing rather than pretending commitment exists when it does not.
In the wild
Aragon compares serious transformation-challenge entrants with physique competitors: both place the program near the top of their priority list. A participant can use three written benefits and three barriers to decide whether the commitment is real and plan around predictable interruptions.
→ The person either protects the required actions or makes an honest decision to reduce or postpone the goal.
Common mistakes
Confusing desire with priority
Wanting the outcome does not ensure the program survives the other demands placed above it.
Listing only positive reasons
Aragon pairs the three drivers with three stumbling blocks so foreseeable failures are visible too.
Trying to force commitment
He says a coach can facilitate motivation only to a degree; the person must arrive at the priority decision.
Is it for you?
Best for
It is best for someone deciding whether and how to commit to a demanding diet or training program.
Not ideal for
It is not a way to shame people whose health, care, work, or family responsibilities legitimately outrank a physique goal.
From the transcript
“Name me three good things that you think will come out of this”
“write down your three biggest stumbling blocks”
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