"That won't work because ______. I wish I could, but I can't because ______. That's not realistic because _____."
Do any of these sound familiar? Do you find phrases like this popping up automatically any time you look at pursuing your dreams? If so, you might just be addicted to obstacles. And paradoxically enough, that might just be your biggest obstacle.
That knee-jerk application of "I can't because" is one of the most common roadblocks I see in my work. Occasionally it's really true, but often it is simply fear speaking. Sometimes it's not even fear. It's just long-ingrained habit.
If you want to, you will always be able to find at least a dozen really good, compelling reasons why you can't do something. Guaranteed.
But here's the thing so could every other person who successfully pursued a dream. Obstacles are part of the landscape. It's not whether or not you encounter roadblocks that determines your success. It's what you do with them.
When you focus exclusively on the things getting in your way, they swell up like those compressed sponge shapes that expand to many times their size when you drop them in water. They expand to take up your entire field of view.
On the other hand, if you use them as a point of departure for figuring out how to get around them, they shrink back down to their more appropriate size.
I'm not suggesting that all you have to do is wave a magic wand and shake a little positive thinking dust and all your obstacles will become magically manageable. Some obstacles really are big, and take hard work and creativity to find your way around. But that's a far cry from being impossible.
Try this: Think about a dream you would love to pursue. Now sit down and take inventory of the obstacles standing in your way. This is the chance for your inner pessimist to run wild.
Once you have that list in hand, use it as a starting point. Pick one obstacle and say, "If I had to overcome this obstacle, how could I?"
Practice coming up with solutions. Get creative. Make it a habit to explore possible solutions any time a potential obstacle comes up. Start training your brain to leave that addiction to obstacles behind and discover the freedom of focusing on solutions.
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Time for a career change? Launch it with...
The Occupational Adventure Guide:
A Travel Guide to the Career of Your Dreams
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by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst
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