I’ve been thinking a lot about obstacles lately. Why do we let things get in the way of what we really want? Conversely, why can it be so easy to accomplish seemingly big things? These ponderings have been showing patterns revolving around action.

Starting with kinds of obstacles:
Some obstacles are physical–I haven’t learned to play the guitar.

Many of the obstacles that get in the way of our dreams involve other commitments–there is no time to go write my book because my time is filled with family, clients, and volunteer work.

Most obstacles are self-limiting head trips–I could never bike 25 miles in one day.

When we let these obstacles hang around in our lives for too long, they become mountains. We stand in front of the mountain and see nothing but mountain. I like mountains, really. But there is a time and a place for them and, sometimes, plopped down right in front of me isn’t so helpful.

Today I identified a self-limiting head trip that was plopped right in front of me. It seemed wide and pervasive, as if it didn’t want to be passed.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan was quoted as saying:

“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ”

This works for the physical obstacles, and for most of the obstacles involving other commitments. It doesn’t work as well for the self-limiting beliefs. The self-limiting stuff can be so challenging because we are in the middle of the perception and don’t see how it’s keeping a strong hold on us.

What I saw as my head trip today was a belief that if I finished all my work there would be nothing to do. Naturally ridiculous on many counts, it nonetheless kept my mind busily making sure there was plenty to do. There is nothing simple about this mind set. There are “extremely important” things to do all the time, no time for long term meaningful projects like the book (and what would I do when I finished the book? nothing! what? this makes no sense!), no time for a breather, no time to enjoy life. Even though I understand that a calm mind works on one thing at a time, when I’m busily making sure there is plenty to do, I’m never able to relax.

Q: How do I work through, climb over, etc something like that?
A: Why bother when I can replace it with an oasis?

Everyone’s oasis will be different. In this case, I asked myself, “If I don’t want to busy-brain pushing me around keeping me engaged in all this busy-work, what do I want?” and then answered, “I want a rich life filled with creativity and fun working with other people.” Hmmm, totally acceptable oasis. How to make this oasis more than just a positive affirmation?

Identify ways that this can happen in each of the different roles I play. (The roles concept comes from Stephen Covey’s First Things First.) The concept of consciously identifying ways that promote the oasis is like practicing. I practice a new habit until it becomes a part of me, until it no longer feels like I’m practicing–it just is. The more I practice, the faster and better I get at it. Maybe this is what Michael Jordan’s talking about… :-)