Get Out Of Your Own Way
Life
is filled with obstacles. Some are real
and some are imaginary. They can be big
or little barriers that keep you from doing what you want to do, or at minimum,
they are impediments to progress that frustrate you along the way. When you push through them, over, around, or
under them they can power and invigorate your best efforts. When they keep you from acting or stall your
progress, they become excuses and justifications. When an obstacle prevents you
from acting or stalls your progress permanently, it becomes your own personal
shouldn't, couldn't, haven't, and probably never will rationale for quitting or
failing to even try.
To
many, life's obstacles and the excuses they spawn are handy little
critters. They provide a way out, a
reason to quit, and an ongoing explanation for not even starting anything
new. For others, obstacles are real
barriers along life's way, which tend to nag, frustrate, and in time
immobilize. And for others an obstacle
is a challenge. When these folks
encounter a barrier, they ask "Why not" instead of
"Why." Obstacles seem to give
them direction, energy, and purpose.
These are the doers in life.
For
even the most optimistic and positive thinkers, some obstacles are beyond their
control. They are very real, and they
are too big, complex, or difficult to be conquered. It’s important that you realistically remind
yourself of this reality from time to time.
For example, deciding today that you want to pitch the home opener next
year for the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 67 with two trick knees may sound
impressive, but how realistic is it?
However, breaking out an old glove and enjoying some pitch-and-catch in
the spring becomes a realistic goal that can be enjoyable and stimulating,
while serving as a refreshingly attainable reminder of what once was.
Of
all of the hurdles and problems you encounter in life, the most vexing and
potentially troublesome can be the ones you create for yourself. These impediments can become unbelievably
effective blockades along your life’s path, and once created and even
marginally accepted by you, getting past them can be an arduous and grueling
task. However, it can indeed be done.
Think
of some of the conversations you may have had with yourself. "I'd love to write a book, but I'm only
kidding myself. People like me don't
write books." "I think I
could paint. I have a beautiful picture
in my mind that I'd love to put on canvas, but everyone will laugh." "I'd love to go back and finish college,
but at my age it would be impossible."
"I'd really enjoy trying another career, but I'm stuck here, and
there's nothing I can do about it." Conversations like these are common,
all too common, and unfortunately cause many to live on the dark side of the
obstacles they create for themselves. As
a result they tend to live down to their lowest expectations. As Henry Ford once said, "Whether you
think you can or you think you can't, you’re right."
The
next time you want to set some goals for yourself, or establish some meaningful
resolutions for change in your life, take the time to thoughtfully identify,
carefully consider, and purposefully look at the obstacles you may have created
for yourself. Yes, goals and resolutions
are important, but if you’re not realistically considering the obstacles and
barriers that you may have created, getting to any goal or realizing any
resolution can be all but impossible.
Think
of something you really want to do. You
know, that special something you tell yourself you would do, “if only.” Now think about the "if only" part
of your special desire, that resolution you want to make, or that goal you want
to set. Take your time and carefully
determine exactly what is preventing you from acting. Chances are, you'll find the obstacles you
face are, to a large measure, obstacles of your own design and creation.
The
obstacles you build for yourself are the most difficult to deal with, because
there’s no one to tell you that you can do something in spite of them. There's no one in your corner. That's why it's so important to identify the
barriers and traps you set for yourself.
If you put obstacles between you and your goals, they'll remain there
until you decide it's time to move beyond them and get on with your life.
Ask
yourself two essential questions. What’s
the worst that can happen if I give it a try?
How much longer am I going to be content living behind my own
obstacles? If you've got something you
really want to do, believe in yourself, get out of your own way, and get at it!