3 Roadblocks To Success And How To Get Around Them

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." George Bernard Shaw from Mrs. Warren's Profession, 1893
Have you ever found that when you know what you really want (to be, to do or to have) that there seem to be any number of reasons why you cannot be, do or have it? It can be that the more deeply you aspire, the greater the apparent obstacles. Yet there is a purpose in this: to bring forward more of your innate talent, gifts, creativity and personal resource to overcome whatever may be holding you back. Blocks can be transformed into assets, new understanding, greater commitment and enthusiasm.

The three blocks I usually hear are: Time, Money and Other People. Have you ever heard yourself say something like: if only I had the time, I would easily fit an exercise regime into my day? Or, I just don't have enough money to make that trek across the Sahara. My partner would never let me. My boss does not want to promote me. I have to cook for my family - I could never adopt a healthier pattern of eating that works for me.

"One very positive way to look at life is to realize that everyone - everyone - who comes to you is teaching you freedom."

 John-Roger
So looking at each of the three blocks:

1. TIME

There are only so many hours in the day. True. But have you ever noticed how time is "elastic"? When you are doing something that fully engages you, you lose all sense of time? When you are bored, time seems interminable.

Managing time is really about managing yourself effectively in the time you have available. That is to say becoming more productive in all areas of your life. I highly recommend the work of David Allen as a resource for stress free productivity. Check out his website here.

"We can't change the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

If time is your issue, your opportunity is to clear the decks so you have less draining your energy. You can get done all you need - with time to spare.

2. MONEY

The current financial crisis may make better money managers of us all. We may need to learn to select more carefully how we spend, save and invest our funds, so that we do not become victims of forces outside of ourselves. Is this possible? I think so. Even though times are very tough for many of us, nevertheless there are those, who have always been relaxed about money, generous and resourceful with their funds, who are not suffering.

When you are truly enthusiastic about an objective, it is amazing how you can find the money you need. Money has been called a "mirror of consciousness". If you are experiencing an issue concerning money, relative to what you want, then you may learn what is limiting you that money reflects to you. Do you lack a sense of personal value, for example? Are you afraid of success, or failure? Could you be more accountable, generally, for your how your life is unfolding?

"Listen, there is endless supply. Once you understand that, you are on your way to a much higher level of freedom." John-Roger
3. OTHER PEOPLE

If we have any hidden doubts about what we want, you can be sure that those closest to you will reveal them. When you talk about something you really want, it is amazing how people can show up with all the considerations why not to go ahead. What might happen if..., ? Have you thought of all the dangers? You're much too old to do that - what if you get ill and need a doctor? The nay sayers can really discourage you.

However, they do serve a purpose in helping you to be clear. When you are 100% sure about what you want, no one can stand in your way. My suffragette great aunt, when she was campaigning for the women's vote in England, would say to me that men would stand aside to let her do what she wanted. What a role model!

"As you realize that there is no reason to hide what is true for you, you find yourself living a life of integrity, a life of loving. In so doing, you open yourself to an inner experience of loving and freedom that transcends words." John-Roger
The love that we are is the greatest liberator. When we can love the blocks that show up, they have a way of dissolving. When we are feeling stuck, we also need to love ourselves through those times; to be kind. compassionate and forgiving. No matter the challenges we meet, the love within us is much greater and can overcome all fears, doubts, or obstacles on our path, releasing new energy in the process.

What blocks have you experienced, and how have they given you the resources to achieve what you want? Have you found ways of transforming blocks into assets? How have the challenges you have met been valuable for you? I would love to hear from you.

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Comments

[johnnygoodwud]

yrs. ago i got fired from my job, a job i hated, but made quite a bit of $$$. a friend suggested i turn my hobby, making stained glass windows, which i love doing, into my profession. fast forward 18 yrs. after some trying years in the beginning, i now own a successful art glass studio, specializing in architectual stained glass. my bus. is not huge, because i want to create, not manage people. i love what i do, my time is my own, and life is good. i'll never be a millionaire, but life is short, and for me, it's not about the $$$. moral of the story, listen to your friends, had i not listened to my friend, at a very low point in my life, would not be where i am today.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

johnnygoodwud

What a great story! Congratulations on making that choice and earning yourself such a rewarding and fulfilling life in the process. I bet your customers really appreciate the care that you put into your work.

Thank you very much for your comment,

Blessings to you,
Anne

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

Thanks again.

Time. Yes, David Allen's stress free productivity is worth a ton of gold. Only one thing I would like to add to it: try to get enough sleep, too!

Money. I couldn't agree more that the key lesson of the crisis can be and should be to become much more aware about the various trappings of money-management. But I am lucky enough to not have incurred bad losses. It may be much harder to get there for others. Still, I am certain that this is the time to learn prudence and long-term views again. Short-termism has abolished itself, and that's the best news ever.

Other people. Congratulations to your great-aunt. Isn't it funny to think how grateful Maggie Thatcher and Angela Merkel should be to her? I love this.

In my opinion, the most important thing about turning blocks into assets is to not allow others to reap the rewards from that process. The naysayers are brilliant at that. They explain to everybody what lousy failure everybody else is while thriving on the resources of those with the 'blocked assets'. There is no simple way to get around this - none I know of - but to understand how this happens can already help a lot.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

DiogenesOfAlaska

Thank you very much for your comment - and for expanding on the theme. Yes, sleep is good and can make a big difference in how we view challenges and issues. Sleep is good for restoring hope and optimism.

I had not thought about Margaret Thatcher and Angela Merkel - good point!

Having people around you who really support you is important I think. Best to stay away from those who tend to be destructive, or give them wide berth.

I really appreciate the points you make.

Best wishes to you,
Anne

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne,

Another lovely post! And it couldn't come at a more timely moment for people to consider what really stops them.

In my own experience, what the mind gives as a "reason" for why xxx can't happen, is really just a smoke screen. We manufacture "issues" around time, money or other people, so as to avoid looking at the real source of what isn't working. Easier to project out there some reason for why we can't be, do or have what we want, than it is to look within and discover the underlying limiting beliefs we've surrendered our power to.

You've touched on a very major theme for people. This is a complex, yet worthy exploration. I hope you'll write more on this subject. I always look forward to reading your posts.

Have a lovely Sunday! Many blessings your way,
Judith

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Judith,

Thank you very much for your comment - I always appreciate your thoughtfulness and encouragement.. I know what you mean about the smoke screen that the mind uses to "protect" us from a deeper inner truth, that we can actually do something about.

As you say, the theme is a complex one, I think partly because it challenges our capacity to be accountable in our lives, and that can be very scary.

Personal accountability is a topic close to my heart but it is not always an easy one to communicate about. Nevertheless, I do intend to write more on this subject in the future. I feel it is an important one for experiencing greater health, wealth and happiness in our lives.

God bless you, Judith.

With love,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne, Great blog and helpful advice.
I think we all get shaky at times in our lives. It is part of the human condition.

The only security in life is that there is none. There are no guarantees.
But we can have a good attitude. We can see the glass as half full.

Acknowledging our weaknesses and vulnerability is our strength.

Life is a mystery unfolding. Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Ed and Deb,

Thank you so much for your comment. Good attitude I agree is so important and makes a real difference when things are uncertain.

I love that the meaning of vulnerability also has that of being blessed. When I have felt truly vulnerable, I have at the same time felt a sense of my own loving and power.

Wishing you much joy on your journey - joy and journey seem to go together!

With love and blessings,
Anne

[Glamorosa]

iF YOU CAN LET GO OF THE ISSUES THAT BLOCK THE ANSWERS WILL REVEAL THEMSELVES
IN MY EXPERIENCE

[lewes17266]

I want to spend more time with my mother and I want my sons to see more of her too. My dream is to rent her an apartment nearby and retire her from work. The blocks preventing this are distance and money and I don't know how to fix it. When we get close to making this dream a reality, something always blows up and she is getting up in age now. I want her to relax in her old age and it makes me sad to know she is still working so hard.

Your comment about love is good. I think seeing the good in ourselves is important in becoming better and finding fulfillment. I don't think we women think nice thoughts about ourselves enough. There is no sense in being kind to others and harsh on ourselves. Fear can be a big block, and there is always guilt.

[bthechangeyouseek]

We should remember that our own aspirations for others may not match what their aspirations are. Therefore blocks will ensue, as they should. When your mother's aspiration is to move closer to you and free her time up from work, the blocks will dissolve.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

lewes17266

Thank you for your comment. I agree with the other comment to your post. It is hard to have dreams for another person, especially someone close to you. I can imagine how your wishes for your mother are difficult to reconcile with her spirit of independence.

I agree that many women need to esteem themselves more highly. Apart from anything else, it is good for our health.

I appreciate very much your sharing your thoughts.

With love to you,
Anne

[canfemlib]

1. Deadbeat dad
2. Sexism at work
3. Judgmental community

[NoCents]

Time, Money and Other People True managing time, money and building a network are necessary in business.

Unfortunately, I have not had to struggle much so I am able to practice the Words of Christ, Buddha, Mohammad and Krishna. So I care about success much different that my business effectiveness. Not Matrial, but Spiritual. I am not perfect, but work on perfection.

1. Time yours and theirs, gain empathy (got this from OBAMA)
2. Money live for the money that provides eternity not for bread alone
3. Other People, learn to love them as yourself and forgive them for their selfishness