This Magic Monday, we’re looking at the internal, external and habitual obstacles that thwart our progress and break down how to approach and overcome these.
We’ve likely all been in a place, at some point, where we just feel physically or mentally overwhelmed by obstacles in our path without a clear way forward. How can we clear these hurdles?
Kevin Daum, a columnist for Inc. business magazine, shares 4 Tips For Overcoming Obstacles. He starts by identifying three main types of obstacles:
- External Obstacles: Things you can’t control, like the weather or a sudden emergency.
- Internal Obstacles: Things you can control, like developing talent or managing your time.
- Habitual Obstacles: These things are some of the most difficult to overcome, as we often don’t think about when or why we’re doing these things, like speaking or thinking a certain way or always using a particular tool or process.
To conquer these, Daum suggests the following tips:
Embrace Self-Awareness
This practice requires us to take a close look at ourselves and to be honest. Do we actually not have time, or is it a question of priorities? Is it truly impossible, or do we just need a perspective adjustment?
Use Time to Your Advantage
This tip is especially helpful for external obstacles. When something comes up that is out of our control, focus on what we can do instead. Acknowledge it will take time, and move forward with intention.
Commit to a Focused Discipline
Everyone’s busy. But we can try not to let that become an excuse. Carve out time each day to dedicate to an obstacle until you’ve overcome it!
Engage Your Creativity
How can we think outside of the box and be creative with our goals? A good start might be setting habit-forming behaviors within daily routines you already perform (also known as “habit stacking”).
Take it step by step, day by day. Compare your progress, and be pleasantly surprised – you can do it! Remember, sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.
