Height, weight, age, gender, race, language, religion, fatherless, learning disability, teenage pregnancy, physical disability, divorced parents, untimely death of a close family member, etc.
Everything listed above can be viewed as an obstacle on the road to success. Many have faced some of the obstacles listed above, overcame them and then achieved success. That is not to minimize anyone’s set of obstacles, but rather to motivate you to persevere through yours.
Realize that you do not have to overcome obstacles alone, but your desire to overcome them must be strong. Toward that end, it’s important to locate reputable, trained people who have experience in the areas in which you need assistance. Why can’t I just ask friends to help me, you may ask? That’s because people you already know may not be as knowledgeable about the specific things you need as someone who you may not know. With that being said, the fact that an individual is older or ‘smart’ does not necessarily mean that he/she is the appropriate one to help you. In other words, wisdom comes through experience in the areas in question.
Here are a few observations about people. First thing…People who you allow to help you need to be competent in the exact area for which you need assistance. Here’s an example…Suppose I have a friend who is a pediatrician and another friend who is a naval architect. Just as I would not ask my friend the pediatrician to update me on the latest cargo ship designs, do not ask a friend who has a learning disability whether or not you should study chemical engineering, which is often considered one of the most challenging undergraduate majors.
Second thing…Just like wheat needs to be separated from the chaff, so too must you separate yourself from people (who are not focused on making things better) and circumstances (that you cannot change) that are keeping you from becoming the responsible leader that you should be.
Final thoughts…Regardless of your age or income, obstacles will always be present. Despite your thorough planning and best efforts, obstacles can suddenly appear and will need to be addressed. When that occurs, search for practical and legal approaches to knocking down obstacles and then implement professional-level action plans that are capable of producing positive impacts going forward. Overcoming obstacles often requires the written word to go along with the spoken word. That’s why we all need to gain and maintain proficiency in business letter writing skills. Write carefully-worded, objective (not emotional venting) business letters to decision-makers at the appropriate echelon in an organization and then periodically Follow-up! While there are no guarantees that letter writing will result in short-term improvements, well-written documents are definitely a pathway to long-term advancements. Bottom line: Refuse to behave like a victim. It’s your life—own it! That’s how you become a responsible leader who overcomes obstacles instead being overwhelmed by them.
Herb