When you get unexpected obstacles, instead of complaining about them, turn them into opportunities. If you complain, your obstacles will seem much bigger than they really are, and by doing so you may even attract more obstacles.
Instead, find a way to turn obstacles into opportunities. For instance, if your flight is delayed – instead of getting frustrated, use the extra time to make that all important phone call you have been hesitant to make or write that proposal which has been pending for so long or simply just sit back and catch up on some reading. After completing any one of such tasks, you will most likely be thankful for the obstacle that came your way.
When I first traveled to Afghanistan as a volunteer after the USA’s military attack on the country, I witnessed the resulting tragedy through very young kids who had lost parents in the war, and who were now begging on the streets. It was heartbreaking. Worst still because the smoke from the guns and bombs had still not even dissipated from the air. To get away from the plume of dust, I entered a rug shop where my eyes were almost immediately drawn to a quote that sat on the wall:
“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goal”
Wow!
If your goals are uplifting, energizing, and inspiring – you don’t see obstacles!
This prompted me to revisit my goals, especially to ask myself why I had risked my life to volunteer in a war-torn country! That deep assessment only motivated me more to jump into action and help those who needed my help, the alternative would have been to fall into despair, which would have helped no one.
The moral of the story: Whenever you are faced with unexpected obstacles, find a way to turn them into unexpected opportunities!
Watch Azim’s personal message about this topic