Wednesday, February 17, 2016

OVERCOMING OBSTACLE



 
If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.
Frank A. Clark

If achieving goals were easy, everyone would do it quickly and without difficulty.  There are always obstacles in the path.  It’s the journey of clearing those obstacles that makes life rich, and helps people feel truly accomplished when they finally reach their pinnacle of success.

OBSTACLE
Understand the 3 Flavors
1
External Obstacles
obstacles outside of your control such as the economy, natural disasters, physical limitations, and the political climate
2
Internal Obstacles
obstacles are generally one-time issues but you have direct control over them, such as debt, cash flow, time availability, needed skills or talent
3
Habitual Obstacles
Obstacles that reflect how people get in their own way. They can only be removed with behavioral change.
Tips to overcome obstacles
1
Embrace Self-Awareness
see the obstacle and believe it's a hindrance
2
Use Time to Your Advantage
learn to manage your impatience and be ready when the smoke clears
Set a preliminary schedule with clear milestones
3
Commit to Focused Discipline
making yourself emotionally commit time and effort to your benefit regardless of external factors
4
Engage Your Own Creativity
Take time to think things through and find creative solutions that bring fun and progress to the grind of obstacle removal

We almost always stumble in the journey to achieve the goals we set because of unexpected obstacles and challenges that arise along the journey.  It’s important to understand that every goal we set naturally comes with a plethora of landmines.  These land-mines showed up in our lives as a set of obstacles, challenges and problems to surpass in order to get to the end destination.
 
Types of Obstacles
1
Personal Obstacles
related to our psychology, behaviors and state-of-mind
include limiting habits, debilitating emotions, fears and beliefs
prevent us from moving forward towards the attainment of our goals and objectives
prevent us from making effective decisions and undertaking the actions that will help us create the momentum we need to get to our end destination
list of personal obstacles
    Lack of pain
    Lack of discipline
    Lack of knowledge
    Lack of inspiration
    Lack of desire
    Lack of skill
    Fear of change
    Fear of failure
    Feeling unworthy
    Procrastination
    Perfectionism
    Disorganization
    Pessimistic thoughts
    Too many time constraints
    Too much complacency
    Too much blaming of self and others
    Too many excuses
    Too much complaining
2
Social Obstacles
related to people who either do no cooperate with you, sabotage you, or are simply incompetent and unable to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to them
helps to develop good strong bonds and relationships with the people you rely on most

try to subtly influence people and understand their needs, motives and desires
3
Environmental Obstacles
often unexpected conditions, occurrences and circumstances that you have very little control over
gather a better understanding of the possible scenarios and consequences of your decisions and actions

Analyzing the obstacle
1
Question the Problem
2
Question the Origins of Problem
3
Identify the Details
4
Determine the Consequences
5
Take Control
6
Identify the Positives
7
Gain Perspective
8
Expand Your Options

Tips for Overcoming Obstacles
1
Step Back Emotionally
·         learn to step back from our emotions
·         see the situation from an external perspective
·         see the logic and reason
·         identify the true relevance and significance of the events
2
Gain Necessary Resources and Support
·         identify the pieces of the puzzle we are currently missing
·         look for the necessary tools, strategies, knowledge and the support needed
3
Acquire Different Perspective
·         viewing the situation from another person’s perspective
·         use a plethora of framing and reframing techniques
4
Seek Guidance
·         seek out mentors, life coaches or experts
5
Breathe, Take Control and Take Action
·         take time to ponder and think strategically about the circumstances
·         gain some semblance of control over your circumstances
·         start building momentum moving forward
6
Adjust Your Priorities

7
Assess Your Obstacles
·         figure out how it originated and weaseled its way into your life
8
List Possible Options
·         solutions can only be found when we open our minds to possibilities and options
9
Ask Effective Questions
·         help you gather new and different perspectives about your life and circumstances
10
Experiment in New Directions
·         help gain new insights into the obstacles
·         Use it to try new things and move in new directions
11
Accept and Acknowledge Circumstances
·         accept and acknowledge the circumstances for what they are from an optimistic, solution orientated yet very realistic perspective
12
Think Critically and Creatively
·         help you unlock the solutions and answers
13
Take Small Steps
·         ensure that you always remain in control
·         simply break down what you need to do into small manageable chunks
·         progressively work on one or more chunks per day
14
Make Necessary Sacrifices
·         it’s not what you do, but rather what you let go of that will have the greatest impact on your life
15
Learn from Mistakes
·         Take time to learn from every unsuccessful attempt
·         The more you learn, the more you will grow and the better you will be able to deal with the obstacles
16
Keep Things Simple
·         simplicity is the key
·         keep things as simple and straightforward as possible, because the toughest of problems are often solved in simple ways
17
Cultivate Self Belief and Confidence
·         help you to think far more effectively
18
Cultivate Calmness
·         provides you with clarity of mind
·         enables you to ask better questions, think more creatively, critically and effectively
19
Cultivate an Active Mindset
·         asks effective questions; always looks for new answers, opportunities and solutions
·         flexible, adaptable and constantly learns from past mistakes, while moving forward
20
Cultivate these Indispensable Qualities
·             Discipline
·             Commitment
·             Foresight
·             Resilience
·             Enthusiasm
·             Gratitude
·             Optimism
·             Curiosity
·             Patience
21
Don’t Dwell on the Negatives
·         you will get more of that in your life, because we attract what we focus on
22
Don’t Throw Blame on Your-Self or Others
·         can acknowledge that someone was at fault, however it’s often not the person but rather the systems and processes in place that lead to this outcome
·         Fix these, do not lay blame, and the obstacles you are facing will be fade away
23
Don’t Look for Sympathy
·         look to come from a place of personal empowerment, where we take full responsibility for our life and circumstances
·         focus on always exploring options that will move us forward
24
Don’t Quit
·         the greatest opportunities are always interlocked with the most difficult struggles of life

Obstacles are just “things” that are there to teach and strengthen us for the journey that lies ahead.  We must therefore as small — and at times large — stepping stones that are required “modules” need to pass in order to obtain Goal Achievement.  Take time to learn the lessons that life throws in our way, because these lessons will be critical to our success.


REFERENCES
1.    http://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/4-tips-for-overcoming-obstacles.html; 4 Tips For Overcoming Obstacles, By Kevin Daum, Inc. 500 entrepreneur and best-selling author
2.      http://blog.iqmatrix.com/overcome-obstacles; How To Overcome Obstacle by Adam Sicinski


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