You say you’re ready to start. You know which you need – change or growth. What comes next?

Obstacles.

Those nasty things that get in your way threatening to stop you. But in the words of Michael Jordan:

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan

But how do we do this?

See them and overcome them one by one.

Where are you trying to change or grow?

What is holding you back or getting in your way?

Common Obstacles

• Fear – Fear is one of the most common obstacles people face. Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what others might say or do. Fear of success.
• Self-sabotage – Self-sabotage is a stress response caused by fear. So when the common obstacle of fear presents, this one is not far behind. Things like bad habits, procrastination or hiding in your comfort zone hinder change and growth.
• Uncertainty – Questions caused by going outside of the comfort zone. Who am I in this place? How do I operate? Where am I going from here? Do I still want to go?
• Vision problem – Focusing on where you are instead of where you want to go. Focusing on the problem instead of the solution and/or having no vision or plan to implement your solution or get to your goal. Henry Ford said Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eye off your goal. The Bible says that without a vision people perish, which sounds like a dream killer.
• Incapable – You expect something of yourself you cannot deliver. You don’t have the skills (capacity) to do what you want or have unchangeable limiting factors.
• Blame – You feel incapable because of them. If your boss would only promote you. If your teacher wouldn’t be so critical. If your friend didn’t always want to go out to eat. If your kids wouldn’t take up all your time. If your parents would’ve paid for your college. If only my circumstances were different. Etc…
• Time – All your time is spoken for.
• Money – No disposable funds.

The REAL obstacle

The list of obstacles above is not intended to be exhaustive. The point is to open your eyes. Take note of what is standing in the way of your change and personal growth.

What obstacle stands out the most?

Seeing what you are dealing with will be helpful.

But the real issue, the real obstacle in your way is you.

Life is not a cake walk. It is tough and full of difficulty and crap to deal with. But it is also full of beauty and wonder and amazing possibilities.

It’s your life – you get to decide what to do with it.

You need to decide if overcoming the situational obstacle you’re facing is something you want to do.

Are you willing?

You need to take ahold of your mind and tell it what to think. Is it working for you or against you?

You need to listen to your mouth and make it line up with where you want to go. If you are talking trash about yourself you’re welcoming the obstacle of self-sabotage.

YOU hold the power to change and personal growth in your life.

Have faith in your ability to decide and in God’s ability to help.

You have the power to overcome every obstacle.

Take up your Power & Overcome

• Fear – Fear is always stronger in the dark. Drag it out into the light. Look at it. Feel the fear. Face the fear. Is it valid or simply threatening you? Is there a real danger of loss or death? If there is no real danger then take a step. Fear dissipates with action. If there is a real danger to your life then you should rethink your choice.
• Self-sabotage – Self-sabotage can be addressed with accountability. Ask for help from a trusted friend or find a support group. Habits are familiar – take one step outside your comfort zone
• Uncertainty – Take an honest look at yourself and your life – locate yourself. Who are you when you’re in your comfort zone? Have you left your comfort zone without packing properly?
• Vision problem – Write down what you want, where you want to go, break it into pieces like stepping stones. I learned about the next step way of goal setting by Michael Hyatt.
• Incapable – Just because you can’t do something now doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t do it later or learn a different way to do it. If you indeed have an unchangeable limit you can do what Jeff Goins calls pivot. That’s something Andre Mills did. He was on his way to becoming a professional basketball player when an injury took that away. Read his story here.
• Blame – Blaming is disempowering – it takes the power out of your hand putting in a place you have no control over. Take your power back. Look for where you have responsibility in the matter. Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain― Henry Ford
• Time – Remind yourself that your time is just that – yours. If the change or personal growth is important enough to you, time can be found. Even if it starts with five minutes a day.
• Money – There are ways to get money or to get the things you need without it. The world is full of free resources. You could trade something you have for what you need – bartering.

It really is up to you.

You need to take up your power to overcome the obstacles to change and personal growth in your life.

Only you can do it.

No one else can make the decisions in your life of what you think and what you say and how you respond to what life throws at you.

Wayne W. Dyer is right Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.

You ARE worth it. It’s your decision.

How will you respond?

Answer these questions:

• What is the biggest obstacle to personal growth for you?
• What, if anything, have you done to overcome it?
• Which of the actions to take up your power is helpful for you?
• The blue words are links to resources. Which do you need to read/learn?
• Leave a comment and let us know.

Danielle Bernock

Author, Coach, and Speaker helping men, women, and organizations EMERGE with clear vision of their value, TAKE ownership of their choices, and CHART a path to their promise, becoming Victorious Souls who Embrace The Change from survive to thrive through the power of the love of God

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