Overcoming Obstacles in Upgrading Oneself

Sayod | Overcoming Obstacles in Upgrading Oneself | Each of us comes from various backgrounds and was raised differently.  We all have our unique set of routines, preferences, and inclinations that have been formed over the course of our lifetimes. But don’t we all come to that certain point, though, when we realize that there are some habits and behavior that we have to give up to reach a higher level of success in life? Sometimes, circumstances push us against the wall and leave us with no choice: evolve or suffer.  And thus the need for self-improvement. 

This journey that all of us have to go through in our life of upgrading ourselves– be it intellectually, psychologically, socially, or spiritually– is indeed a bold step and a demanding process.  A deep self-introspection sometimes leads us to challenge even our core values and ideals.  And whenever we’re confronted with adversity, our natural reaction is to recoil and fortify our defenses; other times, though, we go on the attack and resort to peculiar measures to lessen the blow. 

But if we truly want to succeed, we have to face these obstacles head-on with the proper tools. This doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel discouraged. It’s normal to feel like giving up along the path of personal development. But the key is taking a leap of faith against fear and all odds at every chance that you face difficulties.

Zig Ziglar in his book “Born to Win” says, “One of the main reasons people fail to reach their full potential is because they are unwilling to risk anything. They are fearful of losing, failing, or getting hurt and just want to do the things they believe will keep them safe.” This statement could not be truer. Every day brings its own set of troubles, but those who choose to go through the pain and still look on the bright side to keep going are often the ones who end up on top.

In truth, every difficulty also conceals a potential gain; there is no problem that does not come with a reward after conquering it. For example, who could have predicted that an apple falling from a tree and hitting Isaac Newton on the head would result in his discovery of the principle of gravity, which is the foundation of virtually every modern technological idea? And who would have thought also people could generate wealth from collecting, processing, and recycling trash when all the others only see garbage that causes contamination of the environment?

With this kind of mindset shift, every time challenges appear in our path to self-improvement, conquering obstacles will no longer be dreadful. In fact, it can make us even more ready to embrace these hurdles as new opportunities for growth. As Andre Gide, a French author said, “In order to discover new lands, one must be willing to lose sight of the shore–” So go ahead, face the unknown, and look forward to ushering in a new, upgraded you.