“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life, as by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed.”
Booker T. Washington
When an issue arises or something unplanned happens, how do you react?
Are you annoyed or bothered by the fact that something has gone wrong? Do you immediately see the obstacle as a good opportunity to learn and work through an issue?
Let’s be real … a lot of times, the answer may be “no”.
I know for me it is sometimes difficult to immediately understand and see the value of obstacles when I am managing through things that have come my way.
As an example, a couple of weeks ago, when I was having some technical issues with my site, my immediate reaction wasn’t … obstacles are great and how I overcome this will ultimately be the true measure of my success in the future.
When we have stuff going on and issues being thrown our way, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture that we are actually benefiting in one way or another from obstacles because we are learning and growing.
At the time we are confronted with them, obstacles and issues seem to be anything but good and let’s just say we may not be shouting from the rooftops, “thank you for letting things go wrong”.
Instead, we can get completely sucked into the issue and all of our attention goes to how we can quickly fix it. We resent the obstacle and just want it to go away so things can move in the direction we want them to.
I definitely understand that.
We are human and there may be those times that we do get somewhat bothered by whatever issue we are confronted with.
But (and this is a big and important “But”) …
We do have to get as quickly as possible to that point where our minds are in the right place regardless of what has happened or whatever issue has been thrown into our laps.
We can never let an issue suck us in to the point where it is damaging our peace of mind or where we have forgotten that obstacles and issues are not necessarily bad even though they are usually disguised in unattractive circumstances and undesired conditions.
They really are our tools for growing and how we manage through them says a lot about who we are.
As odd as it may sound, issues and obstacles are actually a good thing for us.
And, that means we need to be able to always see them in the best light and have a process that allows for us to manage through them in the best way possible.
the possibility of today
Today we can choose to completely change and improve the process for how we manage through any issues from here on out. We can really set ourselves up to learn all we should from them and always find the best solutions simply by looking at them differently and handling them better.
3 tips for dealing with issues:
1. When an obstacle arises, don’t just immediately jump in …
Take a breath. Take some time. Understand that even though an answer may come today, a better one may come tomorrow. Be patient and just wait for the clarity you need to work through the issue in the best way possible.
2. Don’t resent the obstacle …
Understand that in one way or another, there is immense value in working through the issue and overcoming the obstacle. You actually need obstacles and challenges so that you can grow and change. As crazy as it may sound, they are actually setting you up for success in the future.
3. Don’t allow yourself to get completely sucked into the issue …
You can really find the best solutions when you aren’t all emotionally entangled in an issue. Don’t get frustrated or allow an issue to get you worked up or make you feel overwhelmed. Keep your cool. Be calm and confident that things will work out as they should.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
If you have a chance, please drop by the Possibility of Today Facebook Page. I just launched it this week and would love to be able to connect with you on Facebook. And of course, if you have any other comments or questions, please leave them below or send me an e-mail. I always love hearing from readers.
It’s never good to allow something to completely suck out your energy…UNLESS…..it’s of a positive nature. Obstacle get in our way because we as humans have to show nature that we can handle distractions and still move on. We can handle bull and still ride it until the wheels fall off. That is what we can DO! We can Persist. And Persist is all we can DO!
Love the post SIBYL!
Thanks King Author
I am still loving that name by the way. What you said is so true though … we have to always find a way through. It is always there waiting for us. We just have to realize that is the case, discover it and move in the right direction. Thanks for the comment and stopping by.
This post really hits home today. Had done some emotional releasing, which left me in almost a panic state. I do realize that it is just a release, but the feeling felt bigger than the issue really is. The intuitive messages I received was just to REST. REST and pick up where you left off tomorrow.
Kenya: So glad the post was timely. Looks like you found the perfect solution … sometimes you just have to step back and relax. Take a day, take a couple days or however many you need. It’s all about letting your mind relax and finding your center again. Once you do, you will feel refreshed and ready to go:) Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
Sibyl,
I like the idea of waiting a day for a solution in case you come up with a better one. It also gives you some much needed breathing room when you most need it.
So true Angela. Sometimes you just have to let things be and when you do the answers come flooding in. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
As always your post moved me, and amazed me. Such a wise (old) soul in such a young body! You are poised to do great things in your life – you certainly have helped me move forward with some issues! Thanks again my dear!
Laura: Thank you so much for those kind words. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. It is always great to hear that you are connecting with people and providing helpful information. I appreciate you letting me know and thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
That was one good advice Sybil. The best way to deal with things going wrong is like, you have one closed door and you don’t just keep banging it,..you try searching for another open door too!
I like that Jaky. Search for another open door. It’s all about realizing there is always a way through. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
Hi Sibyl,
These are 3 great points.Taking a deep breath often works for me (sometimes several deep breaths). The obstacle can take a lot from our time if we let it. That’s ok as long as you are doing something positive about it. Otherwise it can stop you in your tracks. I still have obstacles that annoy the hell out of me & getting focussed about overcoming them can at times be a little tough however you have to do it.
Thank you &
be good to yourself
David
Hey David … so true. You will do have to overcome the obstacles and push right through your annoyance. I appreciate you stopping by and thanks for the comment.
Sibyl,
Thanks for these timely tips. We all could benefit from taking the time to actually learn from our mistakes instead of letting them overwhelm us. I really like the point about taking time to analyze the issue instead of jumping right in. Thanks for the timely insight.
Frank: So glad that post was timely and you enjoyed it. I am a big believer in not jumping right in. It just gives you so much more of a level head to deal with whatever comes your way. Thanks for the comment and stopping by.
“The diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”
Hi Sibyl!
In regards to #1 my inclination would be to step back and contemplate…to listen to the gentle whispers from within. To also view and appreciate the *right* things going on and that I already have. So when I return to the “obstacle” I just might have a better chance of adding a well polished facet.
I have this question from Zeenat’s latest related post:
“What is the most empowering thing you can say or do right now?”
Here is a link:
http://positiveprovocations.com/2011/07/06/one-positively-empowering-question-raoka/
Thanks Sibyl!
P.S. You starting your breathing exercises for that day coming soon? There is no lack of people around here to give you some pointers on breathing!
hello sibyl
how are you?
my hands are high up in the air for not reacting well initially to the obstacles of life
i find your tips on how to handle the issues quite helpful.
it’s important we take a step back to look, understand the nature of the obstacle, take a view before jumping in.
not resenting the obstacle sounds/seems controversial but i agree with you because the end result of handling an obstacle properly is a positive experience.
finally on the issue of not being sucked in, theres no point being too hard on ourselves because we’ve hit a brick wall. the end result is frustrations and this hampers our happiness, productivity and personal growth.
take care and enjoy the rest of the day
Hey Ayo. Always great to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I think they are all right on point. It really is all about not resenting the obstacles that come our way. So glad that you liked the post and the tips. Thanks again for the comment.
I think the insight is, problems are problems until we frame them as challenges and opportunities.
I like the quote. It echoes the same flavor of the saying, “It’s easy to be an angel when nobody ruffles your feathers.”
Hey J.D. Thanks for the comment and dropping by. I like that quote … so true
Don’t immediately jump in! That used to be me, and still is, sometimes. I tend to see the obstacle as something to “fix,” the quicker the better. It was very hard for me to learn to follow your excellent advice, but it has made a huge difference. Problems take on a whole new meaning when we take a little time to get to know them. Some resolve themselves, some need a delicate hand, some need a more assertive hand, but all of them carry meaning and opportunity for growth.
Pausing is not the same thing as procrastinating or denying. It is a time for paying attention. All your steps are excellent, as always, but if we can really learn the first one, the rest will be much easier!
Great post.
Thanks Galen. So glad that you like the post and I think the point you focused on is really a good one. You are so right that you just have to give problems their own time and if you are patient enough, you can always find the solution. I also agree that if you can master that, the others just fall into place. Thanks so much for the comment and dropping by.