Two Key Obstacles to our Success

Think for a moment about the success that you would like to experience in your life. 

What would it look like?  What do you think you will need to do to achieve it?  Take a minute and write a few thoughts down.

Sometimes we believe that only big changes, heroic feats or radical steps will bring about the success we desire, whether it is financial freedom, weight loss or improved health, more intimate relationships or success with a hobby or skill.  But the reality is that small, consistent steps are much more productive and sustainable, and these small, seemingly insignificant moment to moment choices build momentum, create belief and confidence and lead to huge change.

I think there are two key obstacles to our success.  First, some of us may say we do not experience success because of adversity – we have bad genes, are unlucky, had a difficult upbringing or home life, or have had hard knocks, tragedy or disaster.  We can allow these things to create a negative focus or belief in us or we can see the adversity as an advantage.  Adversity builds muscle, creates character, and can strengthen us and propel us toward a goal. 

There are many examples of greatness from those who could easily have given up due to hardship. 

Beethoven was one of the world’s greatest composers and composed some of his most famous pieces after he lost his hearing at age 26.

Oprah Winfrey was born to a teenage single mother in impoverished rural Mississippi.  She gave birth to a son at age 14 who died in infancy.   She has become a famous talk show host and an advocate for many causes.

Richard Branson performed poorly on tests in school and struggled with dyslexia. He experienced massive business failures. He is currently the fourth richest person in the United Kingdom with many well known brands and businesses. 

Mother Theresa went to India to minister to the poor and dying alone with no money.  Today her order, The Sisters of Charity, is a large, thriving order and Mother Theresa is recognized by many as a Saint.

The difference between us and these people are the choices made on a daily basis.  Some say, “I think I can, I think I can…” others accept defeat.  Some refuse to settle for less than their best, while others say, “That’s good enough.”  Some continue to learn and become a valuable resource, while others settle for watching life go by. 

A second obstacle to reaching our goals is indifference or disbelief.  “Things are OK the way they are; it’s not so bad.”  “Things will never change for me; it's hopeless.”  We just don’t get around to making the changes we would like to see.  We know some of the steps to better health, we’ve read ideas for improving relationships, we believe that going back to school or reading that book would enhance our marketability, but we just don’t get around to it. 

What do you dream of accomplishing?  What legacy do you want to leave the world? How would you like to feel and look this Christmas?  When would you like greater intimacy to begin in your marriage?  Let's stop blaming our lack of progress on adversity and get up off our couches to grab hold of life and live it to the full.   Success is not just about what you know; it’s about what you DO with what you know.  

So what small step will you take today to activate compounding momentum in your life?