I am no stranger to obstacles. I have always had a vision impairment. In 2013 I lost almost all the central vision that I had. Suddenly, I couldn’t do some of the most basic things like using my cell phone.With a lot of determination and some good training and support, I learned to do things in a new way. In this experience and many others, I have learned some keys to overcoming obstacles.
1. Begin with the end in mind.
It’s really important to be clear on what we are trying to accomplish. When we encounter an obstacle, we need to assess if our chosen solution is the best option. Otherwise, we sometimes encounter an obstacle and keep pushing on our solution without assessing if it is going to get us where we ultimately want to go.
2. Be flexible on the solution.
The second key is related to the first. Know that there are lots of different ways to accomplish a goal. When an obstacle comes up, it may be an option to just switch to another solution. For me, it’s helpful to remind myself that it doesn’t need to look a certain way. For example, getting help may be a good option for overcoming an obstacle, instead of forcing it to happen on our own.
3. Recognize the internal obstacles because they can be some of the biggest ones.
When we hit an internal obstacle, it’s like hitting an invisible wall. There is nothing outside of us to explain why we are not getting done what we want to get done.
Sometimes an internal obstacle may be that we are experiencing a conflict of values. So, we may outwardly be valuing getting healthy while inwardly we are valuing even more being comfortable. Other times, we want to accomplish something, like doing public speaking. However, we don’t really see ourselves as the kind of person who has something worth sharing with everyone. The first step in overcoming an internal obstacle is to recognize it.
I have found that it’s very helpful to get help with overcoming obstacles. Other people seem to have a better perspective because they are not so involved. Often times, I have had someone suggest something and it’s a great solution I never even thought of. So don’t be bashful in reaching out for support.
