“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Marcus Aurelius
Who hasn’t been dealt their fair share of obstacles in life? No-one can avoid the inevitable setbacks. The whole world is facing a setback with the current pandemic. But it doesn’t have to be seen as a setback, the trick is how you frame it…
A new frame
Ryan Holiday shares an old Zen story in his book The Obstacle Is The Way which has a great quote:
“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.”
It provides insight into a new way of facing the challenges that arise on our path. What if the problems you face are not in fact obstacles, but instead learning and growth opportunities? What if it ultimately leads to a better and more fulfilling path?
The work
The problem with obstacles is that they are hard. It’s much easier to bury our head in the sand. Avoid or ignore. But they will never go away unless you confront them. You need to get to work…
Holiday outlines a three step framework to facing obstacles more effectively:
- Perception – how you look at problems. What is your attitude and approach?
- Action – the effort and creativity you put in. How can you actively breakdown problems and then convert them into opportunities?
- Will – your inner strength. How can you cultivate a resilient core which allows you to stand up and defeat problems?
Reflections
I have been using my downtime in the current pandemic to carve out a new life path. I am working through online courses, reading more and working on this blog. It’s a blessing that I now have the time follow my interests. What started out as an obstacle has since become an exciting journey.
How could you turn this tough time into an opportunity?
Can you carve out a more meaningful path?
Try to see life as a journey of discovery. You will learn to deal more gracefully with adversity.
Obstacles teach us about our life and the world.
Use them well.
