6 Ways To Overcome Life Obstacles

Sooner or later, we all encounter challenges that evoke profound stress, disappointment, and a pervasive sense of doubt. As we navigate through these trials, we're also bound to confront formidable obstacles. Yet, when these barriers confront us, we must persevere and press onward.

Note: This article is from the blogger Charles Amemiya, in which we talk about his personal experience in overcoming obstacles.

When life becomes already difficult, many people stumble or lose their momentum, struggling with fear, self-doubt, and other negative feelings. To overcome the obstacles blocking your path, you must fully acknowledge the problem and have a strong, motivating reason to keep moving forward. You must also change any unrealistic expectations. Then, you need to adopt a positive mindset, seeing the problem as an opportunity for persuasion and beginning to take the necessary action.

6 Ways To Overcome Life Obstacles:

Therefore, master these six effective strategies for persisting through the obstacles that stand in your way, empowering you to achieve your goals.

1. Embrace Obstacles Rather Than Avoiding Them:

"Anyone can surrender; giving up is often the simplest path. However, holding firm when everyone anticipates your collapse embodies true resilience." - Chris Bradford.

The first step is not to avoid the obstacle in front of you. Instead, keep addressing it while hoping that things will improve. Avoiding issues generally leads to their escalation; small problems now tend to snowball into larger, harder-to-manage ones later on.

Many individuals sidestep such formidable obstacles by either denying their significance or minimising their importance. This tendency often stems from a belief in their incapacity to resolve the issue or from a lack of understanding of the magnitude of effort required to surmount it. Conversely, others evade problems by diverting their attention elsewhere, engaging in alternative activities to distract themselves from the discomforting situation at hand.

How often have you encountered an obstacle and procrastinated in solving it instead of facing it head-on? Procrastination is a widespread reaction to problems we don't want to confront. To stop avoiding problems, here are some solutions we offer you:

• Acknowledge the presence of a problem and accept its reality, even if it's emotionally challenging. Recognise that there's an issue needing your attention.
• Embrace your role in resolving the problem, whether you're directly responsible for it or not. Avoid spending excessive time blaming others or dwelling on perceived injustices. Instead, take immediate action to address the issue.
• Refrain from allowing distractions to divert your focus from the problem.
• If you procrastinate finding a solution, remember that delaying only worsens the problem.

2. Identify The Motive Behind Such Action:

Many individuals find it challenging to persist through obstacles because they lack a compelling reason to persevere. Understanding this reason is crucial, as the driving force behind your persistence should be the motivation that propels you forward, enabling you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goal. Therefore, pinpoint the reason: Why must you exert effort to surmount these obstacles and reach your goal? Why does this goal hold significance for you?

After being released from prison, I faced significant discrimination, particularly in the job market, due to my previous conviction. This became one of the most challenging hurdles I had to overcome. I grappled with intense self-blame for my past actions and felt frustrated by the discrimination I encountered while trying to rebuild my life in the business world.

At times, I felt the urge to surrender, but then I reflected on the importance of getting a job. I had a few compelling reasons. I was aware of my ability to utilise my skills and talents to contribute positively to society, and the prospect of returning to prison was something I vehemently wished to avoid. Therefore, I was determined to pursue a stable and fulfilling career path, believing that brighter days lay ahead if I made the right choices.

I went through numerous interviews until I found individuals willing to listen to my story and offer me an opportunity. Though it took considerable time, perseverance eventually paid off. I found some kind-hearted and compassionate individuals who were willing to hire me. So, what makes your goal significant to you?

To persevere through obstacles, ensure you possess compelling reasons to stay on track, align your goals with your values, and pursue a grand objective you genuinely love and believe is worth fighting for.

3. Let Go Of Past Expectations:

In life, people often anticipate positive outcomes, only to encounter unexpected obstacles that prompt the need for a new plan.

During my time in prison, I tragically lost my mother, and the inability to be there for her shattered me. Yet, I found some comfort in the presence of my devoted wife by my side. I returned to her upon my release, embarking on a fresh start. However, in time, my wife parted ways with me, leaving me adrift and facing the darkest period of my life. After a few months, I contacted a couple I knew and shared my predicament. Their kindness extended to offering me shelter upon my release, and for approximately nine months, I resided under their roof.

That experience strengthened our friendship to this day, as they became like family to me. They played a pivotal role in rebuilding my life, supporting me through my university graduation and rejoicing in subsequent milestones on my journey of redemption. We continue to help and support each other. I managed to let go of past expectations and make the most of the catastrophic situation I endured.

It's important to recognise that life is often unfair, and things can change, usually when least expected. Accept that many things are beyond your control. Therefore, it's crucial to let go of previous assumptions and approach challenging situations with a positive mindset. Adaptability is key, and when circumstances evolve, you must be ready to reassess your strategies and pivot towards new plans. As John Wooden wisely advised, "Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out."

4. Adopt A Positive Mindset:

Have you ever attempted to tackle a problem with a negative mindset? It might have felt like a daunting task, or perhaps you struggled to come up with solutions, doubting your ability to succeed.

Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial to overcoming past obstacles in life. A positive outlook not only boosts confidence in overcoming significant challenges but also keeps your mind open to new possibilities and problem-solving approaches.

As the saying goes, "A positive mind finds opportunities in every situation, while a negative mind finds faults in everything."

Negative thinking often leads to feelings of stress, fatigue, and reluctance to take action. Conversely, adopting a positive mindset reduces stress levels, promoting relaxation and readiness to address challenges. Maintaining realistic positivity is crucial, acknowledging that you're not immune to mistakes and that not everything will unfold perfectly.

Instead, recognise that you possess the courage to confront challenging obstacles, the resilience to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and the determination to keep striving every time you stumble until you achieve your goal. As Robert Luongo wisely stated, "It's not about how many times you fall; it's about how many times you rise."

5. Perceive Obstacles As Opportunities:

"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." - Molière, Amphitryon

"In the beginning, I saw prison as a daunting obstacle that would shatter my life. I doubted my ability to secure a decent job later due to my criminal record, fearing people's disdain upon discovering my past. I couldn't envision a future awaiting me.

However, my life began to transform rapidly when I reframed prison as an opportunity for personal growth – to become a better, stronger, and wiser individual. I understood that prison served as a wake-up call I desperately needed. Without it, I might have met the same fate as many of my former friends, ending up dead.

Prison gave me the chance to ponder my life's purpose for the first time. It allowed me to contemplate the changes I needed to make within myself and my life. I started working towards a positive trajectory to keep moving forward. Therefore, when encountering any obstacle, identify how it can shape you into a better, stronger, and wiser individual by posing these questions to yourself:

• What lessons is life trying to impart to me at this moment?
• How can I harness this challenging situation to achieve something remarkable?

6. Take Action:

Once you acknowledge the presence of a problem and the necessity to address it, taking action becomes imperative. While it may seem simple, many individuals falter at the outset because they lack a well-defined action plan. To establish an effective course of action, consider the following steps:

1. Make a list of all options, along with their costs and benefits, and then analyse them to determine the best course of action while discarding less favourable
2. Establish a timeline for completion, specifying when each task needs to be finished.
3. Develop a sequential list of actions that need to be taken, from the initial step to the final one.
4. Ensure you have the necessary resources to carry out the action plan, such as time, personnel, finances, technology, etc.
5. Begin implementing the plan.

Once you've taken the necessary action, don't pause. Keep up the momentum and persist in moving forward until you achieve your goals.

In Conclusion:

We should nurture a positive mindset and perceive obstacles as opportunities for growth. When we adopt this mindset, challenges become valuable learning experiences that enhance our skills and broaden our perspectives. By facing these challenges, we become more resilient, adaptable, and capable of navigating future hurdles.

During tough times, our natural inclination might be to evade or minimise the obstacles before us. However, it's essential to confront these problems head-on, acknowledging our capacity to overcome them. We must recognise that our dedication and sacrifices serve a purpose worthy of our attention and effort.