#148 Obstacles are the Fuel

It’s imperative that we stay on track as much as we can.  We do what we can, but the path is never linear.  We must expect obstacles.  Obstacles can be frustrating, inconvenient, and unforeseen.  It’s just a part of the process.

Part of the Process

Simply put, obstacles are part of the process.  There’s no way around them.  It’s up to you to not run the other direction.  We can’t be mad about it.  For me, this is what I trained myself for.  This is what I developed myself for.  This is why I demand a high level of consistency in my day-to-day operations.  Having this perspective and putting in the hours of work has allowed me to keep a level-head when it comes to making better decisions. 

What’s on the other side of an obstacle?  Often, it’s a blessing of some kind.  This is exactly what Andrew Carnegie and Napoleon Hill talk about, and this is why they experienced a high level of success.

The Obstacle

Maybe you want to get your weight down to a particular number, maybe you want to increase your lifting total to X, or maybe you’re trying to take your business to another level.  These are obstacles.

It all comes down to figuring it out.  Uncover, unravel, and figure it the fuck out.  Is it a challenge?  Of course, that’s the point.  The obstacle is the fuel. 

Down One Rotator Cuff

Take my rotator cuff injury, for example.  My supraspinatus was completely ruptured.  Obstacle.  Even though this is traditionally a difficult injury to come back from, I knew that I was going to eventually figure it out.  Benching three plates in a meet again is going to feel fucking amazing. 

Now, because this happened, I can now teach people to have a better quality of life around shoulder injuries.  I’ve put myself through all the trial and error to figure out what works and what doesn’t work. 

Be Solution-Based

Come up with solutions around problems.  Then, when you win, it’s bittersweet.  Progress is never going to be a straight line.  You’re going to experience all the highs, and all the lows.  It’s unavoidable.  The key is to limit the wide swings so we can stay in the pocket. 

We’re eating shots, but we’re coming up with solutions because we’re using obstacles as the fuel.  It’s going to get harder and harder, but we must keep fighting back.  We must keep fighting, bobbing, and moving forward.  That’s the key. 

When obstacles come up, focus on finding a solution right away.  It’s easy to be pissed off and negative.  You’re going to feel this way at times, and that’s just part of it.  But the reality is that you are never going to get to the next level unless you find solutions.

 Let the obstacles fuel you.