CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Every now and then, while we're working toward success, life throws in an "obstacle." The reason people don't succeed is because we don't see there is a way around our obstacles. We take it as, "since the road is blocked, we can't go on anymore." Truth is, we can. We need to find an alternate road to go down. All it takes is an attitude adjustment and a few necessary skills.
Obstacles are not the end of the world as they actually provide experiences building our character. Overcoming obstacles gives us knowledge for the future and helps us grow. Everyone wants to be better in some part of their lives and you must overcome that obstacle standing in your way.
There are different techniques you can use to survive and knock down the obstacles standing on the path between you and your goals. Some of these obstacles can be like bumps in the road that you can simply go over with a little bit of creative thinking. Even if you find yourself face to face with a brick wall, you have to keep in mind there is a way to beat this as long as you stay positive and motivated toward achieving your goals.
When you come to an obstacle and can't figure out how to overcome it, don't give up. Ask a more experienced person for help -- a supervisor or someone else in your unit who you trust. This doesn't mean you've failed or are weak. It simply means this is a chance to learn something and better yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It's better to ask for help and be successful than to be afraid and be sitting still.
If you get discouraged and want to quit, take a moment and, as a lot of us have experienced, walk away until you can bring yourself back into a positive mindset. One common way people do this is by using positive affirmations. Affirmations are short statements said to yourself about something positive about you or your situation.
When repeated enough, you believe in them and they reprogram your subconscious mind to have a positive attitude and help you succeed at whatever you are trying to accomplish.
Nobody ever said surpassing challenges would be a breeze. In fact, you will have to exert considerable effort and sometimes even perform some kind of self-evaluation and make lifestyle changes before you can rise above these challenges and move on with your life. Each individual will have their own way of dealing with life's hurdles, but there is no doubt that positive thinking and determination will both play a major role in your continuing quest to fulfill your goals in life.