How To Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities
Entrepreneurs often find that the only constants in life are problems. Obstacles are to be dreaded, leading only to stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. At least, that’s what we’ve been conditioned to think.
But history is littered with examples of people who have managed to overcome and thrive on the struggles they experience. Why do a select few seem to succeed where the rest of us fail time and time again? The answer lies in a thought expressed by a Roman emperor 1,800 years ago.
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” -Marcus Aurelius
Simply put, the struggles we face in life offer us a path to growth and success. It’s a counter-intuitive concept, but it is perhaps the most critical concept that any entrepreneur can learn: how to embrace challenges.
Your “bad luck” contains the seeds of opportunity
I was introduced to this mindset by a successful relative. In his first leadership role, he was routinely frustrated and discouraged by the problems that seemed to pop up regularly.
Expensive equipment frequently failed, employees caused problems, and clients were always upset about one thing or another. He knew that he could be successful if only he could catch a break from all the bad luck.
After one particularly challenging period, however, he had an epiphany. He realized that while he couldn’t control his luck, he could control how he reacted. Perhaps his bad luck wasn’t bad luck at all, but an opportunity to prove himself.
His entire mentality changed that day. Instead of dreading problems, he began to seek them out actively. “Where’s the next problem?” became his mantra, and it served as the basis for his entire business philosophy.
Today, I try to practice that same spirit both at work and in my personal life. It’s a belief that colors everything I do.
Practice, practice, and practice some more
The temptation to despair or blame others for things is often intense, but you can overcome it with practice.
In any given business situation, the only thing that you truly have control over is yourself. As difficult as it may seem, you can always choose to recognize the obstacle for what it is, find something positive, and work like hell to push through it.
My journey toward this realization was not an easy one. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been prone to anxiety and worry.
The prospect of the unknown or uncontrollable petrified me and prevented me from taking action. I always admired people who could keep their cool in the worst situations, turning challenges into opportunities and emerging stronger than before.
I thought that this was something innate: You were either born with it or not. Of course, the truth is that this grit is a learned behavior that is refined by practice and the passage of time.
My lesson in developing grit started shortly after I graduated college. I took a job at a business valuation consultancy that had a unique corporate culture.
By unique, of course, I mean toxic and horrifying. It was, up to that point, the most trying time in my life.
Whenever I made an error or invoked the ire of the firm’s partners, a part of me wanted to run. The temptation to quit was strong, but I forced myself to endure.
I would leave the company, but only on my terms. I resolved to handle every insult, threat, and stressor they could throw at me with grit and determination. No one would control how I felt or responded.
It wasn’t easy, and I often fell short of my expectations, but I didn’t give up. I practiced self-control and managed to stick it out long enough to gain skills that would serve me well.
You are the secret to your success
The way to nurture grit and capitalize on the opportunities that challenges offer is to cultivate an unshakable will to thrive.
That’s all there is to it. It’s both the easiest and most challenging thing in the world. You simply have to want it badly enough to push forward no matter what.
Will you fail at times? Absolutely. Will it be easy? Never. The only thing you can do is keep at it.
The challenges and problems we face in our lives and businesses are part of the roadmap to greatness.
Whether we choose to follow that map is up to us. There is no secret formula for success. The only thing you need is the will to confront your struggles, the desire to find the joy in even the darkest times, and the determination to keep moving forward in the face of adversity.
