This week, I’ve continued to explore ways to overcome obstacles and see them as wins. A hike to Whittaker Wilderness Peak involved navigating physical obstacles and helping participants appreciate the puzzle in the challenge. The second, shifting my mindset, helped me reframe a lifelong internal, mental battle. The third, early preparation success, was a logistical challenge that stemmed from working with the process instead of procrastinating. Let’s explore each obstacle and consider how to apply the takeaways to your situation.
Physical Obstacles on Whittaker Winter Hike
On February 4, 7 Mountaineers met with me to visit Whittaker Wilderness, Shy Bear Pass, and Doughty Falls on Cougar Mountain. Winter storm warnings dumped several inches of snow and rain in the area, but that didn’t stop us. On Tuesday during a break in the weather, we enjoyed 3-5 inches of fresh snowfall, sun breaks, blue skies, zero winds, and fabulous camaraderie. I led to the summit, then relinquished the lead, stepping back in whenever someone got off trail. It’s easy to do in fresh snow!
Snow-Downs as a Metaphor for Life Problems
We navigated past several heavy branches bent across the path laden with wet snow. I call them “Snow-downs” rather than “blow-downs.” Rather than backtracking, I smiled and said, “Let’s find the best way through.” Once, I whacked snow off branches so they’d spring into the sky. Another time, we crouched and ducked through a snare of limbs, ensuring everyone got through safely before we crossed the bridge across the skunk cabbage marsh. For a third, we gingerly stepped over, on and between branches to maneuver back onto the trail.
Challenges often prevent people from trying. Our hiking example is a great metaphor for life: we can overcome obstacles by reframing them as puzzles to solve. We could curse the snowballs landing on our heads or pull our hoods up to prevent a recurrence. As we came upon downed trees, we could turn back, or hold the branches so they wouldn’t smack anyone in the face. And we could celebrate the beautiful day in rain slickers despite melting snow pelting us at lunch.
By overcoming obstacles as a team, we made the hiking experience richer rather than frustrating. When we shift from resistance to engagement, we can view any obstacles as adventures rather than roadblocks. By keeping our attitude light, we stayed capable of solving our problems with clear minds.
TAKEAWAY: Try identifying five obstacles you’re currently facing. How might you view them as puzzles to solve rather than blocks to stop you? Can you turn your struggle into a game to make it more fun and less intimidating?
Overcome Obstacles: Working with the Inner Critic
To overcome the second obstacle involved coping with my inner critic. “Gooky” is a green gremlin who sits on my left shoulder and whispers that I’m worthless, that I’m going to fail, that I can’t possibly do X. We are our own harshest critics and nobody I’ve ever met is immune.
Today, she grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go. I forgot to use the technique that worked so well on Monday. But the win is acknowledging that our obstacles will return until we find a new coping mechanism. These strategies require patience, practice, and awareness. They won’t “magically” take hold overnight.
Instead of trying to slap her away or beat her up, I patted my shoulder and said, “There, there. We’re both in this together. You’re doing the best you can.” What do you know? She clammed up! I could see her influence shrink by acknowledging that she was trying to help.
TAKEAWAY: When fear or self-doubt shows up, notice your strategy. Do you yell? clam up? leave the room? freeze? What happens when you stop resisting and instead listen, question, and move forward? Can you befriend your inner critic by getting curious about it, like you might a new friend? What does the critic have to teach you?
Logistical Obstacle: Flow, not Force
The third opportunity I had to overcome obstacles this week was conquering procrastination. I think of this as a logistical obstacle. I tend to wait until the last moment to tackle scary things. But I’ve lined up several speaking engagements over the coming months, and waiting until the last minute to prepare could spell disaster.
Instead, my husband and I finished preparing the slides for one of our talks two weeks early. This allowed us to let the material sit so we could revise it with fresh eyes. Writers do this constantly; why couldn’t it work with public speaking?
What shifted?
Getting the slides finished early felt like an unusual win. What enabled the change? my growing growth mindset? Knowing that having four talks to prepare in two weeks would be very stressful if I waited until the last minute. Or perhaps my fears of public speaking diminish with each talk we give. Instead, I recognize that the excitement I get the morning I lead a hike is the same physiological response I have when I give a talk. Perhaps the “win” is knowing that the energy is identical. I got this!
Whatever the case, it feels more like flow than force. Much like navigating around the downed trees, I can circumvent the obstacles in my mind — those fears and demons that threaten to turn me around. Having a “can-do” attitude, knowing I’ve succeeded in the past, provides me with tools and strengths I can use in new ways.
TAKEAWAY: Like the hike and the inner critic, success came not from force but from embracing the process. Where might you shift your interpretation of an obstacle? What is your physiological response to something you’re facing? How does it differ compared to something you look forward to? Can you reframe your story?
Overcome Obstacles to Gain New Teachers
Whether it’s fallen trees, a mean inner critic, or a tendency toward procrastination, our default behavior is to see obstacles as frustrating blocks. When we engage with them differently—leaning in, getting curious, even playful instead of pushing away—they can lead to success, growth, and joy.
What obstacles in your life could you shift your approach to? Our challenges don’t have to stop us; they can shape us. One problem at a time.