The obstacle is the way

/ Stuart Danker

We often look at obstacles as impediments to our goals. As the reasons why we can’t do what we want to.

It’s time to stop that. We need to look at it from a different perspective. Instead of an impediment, we need to view obstacles as flavouring.

Want to work out? That’s great. But say it rains on your running day. That’s when you enjoy a rain-flavoured run or, perhaps, more sensibly, a treadmill-flavoured one.

And let’s say you plan to do the groceries before the stores close. But your spouse has the car and is still stuck in traffic. Then, instead of a normal grocery run, you’re going to have to enjoy enjoy one with a dash of Uber riding and a pinch of lugging fresh produce around.

The tasks don’t become harder or easier. They just take on a different flavour.

One added benefit of acquiring new tastes is that they’ll no longer surprise you. And when the same situations present themselves, you’ll know exactly how to match the flavours according to your tastes.

Assuming you’ll arrive at your destination trouble-free is not a realistic path to base your goals off of.

Instead, accept that reaching your goals will require you to wend through forests and swamps, much like a treasure hunter would when maps were still a thing and GPS wasn’t invented yet.

You might opt for the mountain climb rather than the river swim, but you’ll still have to face something on your quest. The only way to not face hardship is by staying still. And I don’t need to tell you what happens when you do stay still.

Besides, the bigger the obstacle, the more badass your story.

11 thoughts on “The obstacle is the way”

  1. I love your title and it goes so well with you perspective on obstacles. I agree that looking at obstacles as more than an impediment is a way to motivate ourselves to move forwards. To me, when it comes to writing, obstacles can look like writer’s block. In the past I simply saw this as annoying and something that will pass. These days I see it as an opportunity to try writing something else or approaching what I’m writing differently, and on the path to finishing that writing goal. In short, I see obstacles as opportunities, opportunities to better ourselves :)

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  2. Pingback: Obstacles are a good thing – Robin Heinen

  5. Hi Stuart, your post reminds me of an example my dance teacher once gave us to show the importance of punctuality and discipline. He said that you give so many excuses for not arriving on time to the class. Now imagine that your favourite movie star is coming to the dance studio. Won’t you do everything in your will to reach the dance studio before time? In fact, I bet you will camp a night before to meet your favourite star. Now, whenever you feel like it’s impossible to do something, remember that you are missing out on a big opportunity in life.

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  11. Well, I’ve often been distracted away from the task. Then I punish myself by saying I’ll do more, and I don’t do more. More self-hatred. I tell myself, “You don’t have to do anything.” What’s going to happen? There are consequences, but are they for better or worse?

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