Everyone experiences obstacles when working hard towards their goals. In fact, there isn’t a single person on this earth who doesn’t experience some type of obstacle or hardship in their lifetime. However, what’s important is how you respond to them! When I talk to people, I am asked more often than not, how I continue to overcome obstacles in my life and career. I’m here to give you some solid advice on how you can easily overcome the hardships you’re faced with.
The three Ps: pause, pray and ponder on what makes the obstacle, or hardship, different and difficult. I tuck my face into a pillow, or stay in my car for a few minutes, and I take it all in. I’ll probably groan and complain, but I pray while the peace is missing from my heart. For me, it is so important that I do this. This pause is my soul-cleansing. I have to release my frustration and meditate for a while before I can find the strength to move on.
I self-talk and reflect. “Plazz, just take a deep breath because God will not lead you where he is not going. You’ve made it this far and you will continue.” I talk to myself. I’m not kidding, not even a little! After I’ve soaked it in, I contemplate about how I’m going to react. I eventually realize that I cannot control the situation or person that may be my obstacle, but I can only control myself. I simply swallow the pill that I cannot control it.
The three Rs: regroup, refocus and readjust. I learned this step after a life-threatening encounter. In 2014, I suffered from a major surgery that put my whole life on hold. I found my life slipping out of my hands, but lacked the motivation to fight for it. I found myself completely helpless and depressed. I sat in the sadness and let the obstacle get the best of me.
After a month of crying, catching pneumonia and then healing, I learned this step. Once I overcame this large obstacle I kept the lesson in my back pocket. I’ve implemented it when facing the smaller obstacles, too.
After I’ve gotten my complaining and self-talking done, I sit down and I think about how I’m going to move forward. I think this step would help anyone, but it helps me because I need to get moving quickly to re-establish my motivation. It may take a few hours, or even days, but the important thing is that I refocus on my goals.
Side note: If you let your obstacles distract you from what you’re trying to accomplish, you will never ever complete your goal. Keep your eyes on the prize! I take action. I take my first step around the obstacle. In life I’ve learned to not take no for an answer. I’ve also learned to not just sit down and take whatever is given to me. So I wake up a little earlier, drink my coffee, put on my game face and do something to put me back on track that day.
So take your first steps, just start again after you’ve been interrupted.
For all those people who’ve wondered how I’ve done it, I hope this answers your question. What do you do when you’re faced with an obstacle?
