Rising from the Deep

So there’s a saying I’ve heard.. about a million times in my life, and that is:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

– Albert Einstein

And, I’ve got to say… it’s honestly very true, though it certainly doesn’t feel like it in the moment. But alas, I’ve done this, along with countless other people who desperately want change in their lives but may have felt like they could never overcome their challenges.

Sometimes – in fact, most times, you just have to do something different, do it today, and even, do it scared.

Here are 5 ways you can overcome the obstacles you’re currently facing to achieve success.

1. Figure out what the obstacle is and how to overcome it

What is your obstacle? Is it a lack of resources or skills, poor communication, or low self-esteem? Whatever it is, no matter how simple or complicated, I can almost guarantee you that there is a solution out there for it. To help you figure out what this obstacle is and how to defeat it, my advice is to:

• Be self-reflective and journal to find some common denominators

• See a therapist if you suspect it’s a mental problem like depression or anxiety

•Get some feedback from loved ones you can trust who know your personality and your habits

Once you know what you’re dealing with, then you can form a plan of action.

2. Form a detailed plan

Create a plan of action to overcome your obstacle. When writing out your plan, remember to make your goals very specific, but also very practical for you to accomplish.

Maybe you’re trying to become more productive at creating content for social media, but lack of discipline is your obstacle. Take into account your strengths and weaknesses, but also your motivators.

What is your plan to overcome your shortcomings and how might you reward yourself? Perhaps make a list of content ideas to complete for a specific period of time each day throughout the week. You can determine the schedule you want so that it’s realistic and a good fit for you.

3. Take it step by step

As you know, your obstacle has practical solutions but this doesn’t mean it won’t also take some time. That’s okay. To make it less overwhelming for you, don’t try to defeat the beast all at once. But rather, take it step by step. Whatever it is that you’re trying to do, whether it’s trying to be more fit or get rid of debt, break your plan down into smaller chunks and take one bite at a time to make it easier.

Given that you’ve made your detailed plan and have successfully broken it down into small chunks, take action! Sometimes, the hardest part is not procrastinating but it’s essential! After you’ve met your daily goal, be sure to reward yourself with a little treat to give you some relief and keep going the next day.

4. Learn From Your Mistakes

I know it’s probably discouraging to think of all the times you’ve fallen off the horse, but the only way to move forward is to get back up. Though it’s hard to look back into the past, it’s necessary at times when it comes to growth.

Learn from your mistakes so that you know what not to do or how to do something better next time.

What is something that you regret doing in the past? Was it procrastinating? Was it rushing your work? Was it not going to bed earlier or eating healthier? Think about these things, but instead of getting down on yourself, use this information as motivation to do better from now on.

5. Believe In Yourself

Is it hard for you to believe in yourself? Do you lack self-confidence in general or just when it comes to certain areas of your life? Whatever it is, your state of mind is important when it comes to reaching your goals. This doesn’t mean you won’t be scared at times, but believing that you can overcome will help you to stay focused and determined. If you need some helpful tips to do this, read my article on how to build self-confidence and remember that at the end of the day, we’re all a work in progress.