Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Obstacles

No matter which way you look at it, entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. Successful entrepreneurs never anticipate “arriving” at some form of the finish line. This mindset allows them to set the mental expectation that they will need to continue to push themselves out of their comfort zone and never stop reaching for their goals.  Robert Breault said, “We are kept from our goal, not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal.”

The concept of never being content within an entrepreneurial realm allows one to strive to take chances and step out of the unknown to grow their business and watch is soar higher than they ever thought possible.

No matter how prepared you are, one’s entrepreneur journey will always have obstacles to overcome in the process. Learning how to navigate these obstacles as an entrepreneur is a journey in itself, but it is also the key to finding success. Sometimes those obstacles are easy to navigate, and sometimes those obstacles might be on a larger scale, such as a global pandemic. No matter the situation, each obstacle offers an opportunity to learn and grow.

Becoming a successful entrepreneur means understanding when times are hard how you should push yourself towards success.

So, how should you work to overcome obstacles? Here is what you need to do.

Take the time to acknowledge your thoughts.

Have you ever been told that what you think about and focus on is what you will attract more of in your life? It’s true. So often, when we are faced with an obstacle, it is human nature to focus on what you cannot control. But that path often leads to spiraling thoughts and an overall dark mental place that can seem daunting to climb out of.

The best way to overcome obstacles is to start by acknowledging that they exist. This may sound silly, but if you acknowledge that they exist before processing your thoughts on the matter, you will have more success in overcoming any obstacle in your path. Should you start spiraling as you initially encounter an obstacle, we suggest giving yourself a few minutes to fully feel these thoughts before working to move forward. Taking the time to acknowledge your thoughts allows you to not suppress feelings that can grow stronger within you over time.

Once you have allowed yourself a few minutes to acknowledge your feelings, we want to encourage you to flip the switch. Grab a pen and paper and start writing down what you are grateful for in your life. It is so hard to be stuck in a dark mental place when you express gratitude. And that gratitude may just be the encouragement you need to know you get to take on any obstacle that comes in your way.

Focus on what you can control.

Let’s be honest, life is messy, and change is often so hard. When you are working to grow a business, change is constant. This journey is not easy and at times it may feel like everything is going to go wrong at one time. But, no matter the situation, there will always be things that you can and cannot control in your life. It’s important to understand the difference and to focus on the things you can do something about. For example, if your marketing plan isn’t working, you can readjust. If your sales are falling short, you can make a strong push forward with what you know works.

The point is, there will always be things that you can and cannot control in your business. When you take the time to focus and change the things that you can control, it is easier to accept the things you cannot and move forward.

We want to encourage you as you face an obstacle to identifying the things that you can do something about and create an actionable plan to work through it. Fill up your to-do list with the tasks that will lead to results, and keep in mind that you are worthy and capable of this journey.

Move with positive thinkers.

The value of having a strong network in place cannot be overlooked. If this is not something you have created for yourself yet, the time to start was yesterday.

Begin by leveraging those in your current network, ask if anyone knows someone in an entrepreneurial position that has been on this journey before and successfully made it through. Then ask to be given their contact information.

Another option is to join a business accelerator, such as ours. When you join iStart, you are allowed to have positive thinking mentors to help you navigate obstacles that you encounter on your journey.

When you surround yourself with positive thinking people, you will consistently be able to focus more on achieving your dreams, even when they seem to like you will never get through them. If you move with negative people, your mind will follow in suit and you will lose focus on your end goal. It is crucial to building relationships with individuals who share the same goal and vision that you do.

Don’t overwork yourself. Ask for help, and take action.

Sometimes you will be faced with obstacles that feel like they are more than you can handle. In these situations, it is important to seek counsel and support from others. This support could be the difference between seeking others for help and not, which could mean your ability to get through the situation or failing. Removing your superhero cape and seeking help can be one of the best decisions you make when overcoming an obstacle. Talking and planning with someone who understands can be so valuable in the long wrong.

Obstacles will be waiting for you to face, no matter how careful you are. This knowledge is overwhelming, but it does not have to be. If you have your mindset that you are capable of overcoming obstacles by acting, then you can guarantee yourself an efficient solution will be achieved. When you choose to consistently take action on the things you can control, you will continue to make progress towards your goal before you even realize it.

Running headfirst into an obstacle is only a matter of time. Obstacles don’t have to be business breakers, you can learn from them and come out with a stronger entrepreneur than before. The most successful entrepreneurs understand that it’s not the crisis that determines your success, it is how you respond to that crisis that determines your success. Stay strong, process your thoughts, create a plan, and then diligently pursue actions that will help your business to overcome them.

Remember, anything is possible. You started this journey for a reason, and we know that with the right tools you will find success.

We would love to be your network and source of encouragement as you overcome obstacles. Head on over to our website and fill out the contact page to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!