When It Comes to Obstacles, Be a Goldfish.
Obstacles have a way of getting in our way. Here is a reminder from Marcus Aurelius when confronted by an obstacle “…turn each setback into raw material and use it to achieve [your] goal.” In other words, don’t be afraid of taking a step back to turn the obstacle into the possible.
Here are some great tips from a book I highly recommend, The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday.
- Perception matters. How you view an obstacle will dictate how you deal with an obstacle. History is filled with hundreds of millions of people who saw an obstacle and let it overtake them. Fewer people see an obstacle as well as a way around it. It starts with the story you’re telling yourself when confronted by it.
- Taking action matters. While obstacles may be immovable, you are not. It all starts with taking some action against it. You have more power than you think. You are more creative than you imagine. Practice persistence and patience, and figure out how to turn the obstacle into the way forward.
- Being ready matters. Once you pass one obstacle, be ready for the next one. How? By living in the present moment. By anticipating things before they happen. By keeping the big picture in the frame. By having the perseverance, the strength to take each obstacle as they come. This will require you to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
When it comes to obstacles, take Ted Lasso’s advice and be a goldfish. Have a short memory about the obstacle and find a way to use it to your advantage. Hang your efforts on flowing past the obstacle rather than on the obstacle itself. Turn the obstacle into the possible.