Don’t Let the Obstacle Become the Focus

There will always be something in the way.

    A difficult challenge.
    A setback.
    A bad day.
    A distraction.
    An emotion telling you to stop.

That’s part of life—and it’s part of the journey toward any meaningful goal.

  The problem isn’t that obstacles exist.

The problem is when we allow the obstacle to become our focus.

  When something gets difficult, it’s easy to start thinking:

    “This is too hard.”
    “I don’t feel like doing this.”
    “What if I fail?”
    “Maybe I should just wait until things get easier.”

But there’s another question we can ask:

     “Where am I going?”

Your goal doesn’t make the obstacle disappear. It gives the obstacle context.

A difficult class is different when you’re thinking about the blackbelt you’re working toward.

A setback is different when you remember that it’s one moment in a much bigger journey.

And being frustrated doesn’t mean you have to quit. Being nervous doesn’t mean you can’t move forward.

   You don’t have to control every emotion. You do have to control what you do next.

Watch This Week’s Lesson of the Week

Click the photo below to watch Sensei Allie’s Lesson of the Week and hear more about focusing on the goal—not the obstacle.

So when something gets in your way this week, try this:

    STOP. Recognize what’s happening.
    REFOCUS. Remember what you’re working toward.
    CHOOSE. Decide what you can control.
    MOVE. Take the next step.

Not the entire journey.

Just the next step.

The obstacle is what’s in front of you.

The mission is where you’re going.

Don’t let the obstacle become your destination.