When trying harder doesn’t work…
Have you ever been frustrated because you wanted—but failed—to make some kind of positive change or improvement?
Maybe you searched online, asked a friend, watched a video, read a book, or attended a workshop or conference.
Someone taught you the five tips, six tricks, or seven hacks. The advice was interesting, intelligent, and even inspiring. But then nothing changed. And nothing improved.
I’ve been there. We’ve all been there.
When it happens, it’s logical to conclude the problem is your effort. So you promise yourself to TRY harder.
It’s also tempting to BLAME your busy schedule, your ability, or your circumstances.
Eventually you surrender your goal over to the most popular strategy of all—you HOPE that things will magically be different.
But no matter how hard you try, how much you blame, and how long you hope, the whole cycle repeats itself with no change, no improvement, and even greater frustration.
It sometimes feels as though a mysterious obstacle is blocking your access to the change you seek.
Ironically—that obstacle might actually be the doorway you’re looking for.
In his best-selling book The Obstacle Is the Way,Ryan Holiday acknowledges that we face obstacles every day—obstacles that leave us feeling frustrated and trapped. But Holiday insists that we have a choice in how we respond to obstacles.
We can blame obstacles. We can be blocked by obstacles. We can hope the obstacle goes away. Or we can advance over and through those same obstacles.
That’s because obstacles can actually be opportunities.
Holiday’s approach to overcoming obstacles is based on the timeless wisdom of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who once wrote, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the waybecomes the way.”
It took me time to discover my obstacle—the TRUE reason I wasn’t making progress.
But once I identified that obstacle—I also found an opportunity staring me straight in the face.
How about you? What blocks you from making the changes and improvements you long for? What keeps you trapped?
Take some time to give that question some honest thought and reflection. Hug the cactus.
What’s REALLY holding you back?
What if it wasn’t trying harder? What if it wasn’t your circumstances? What if it was something else—something deeper?
For me, identifying the real obstacle was the beginning of hope and a positive direction forward.
I’m excited to share more about my discovery in the weeks to come.
Maybe, together, we can solve the mystery.
Until then—THANK YOU for making a difference.
With gratitude,
John Alan
P.S. Here are some handy links to use and share.
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