Obstacles are reality: Don’t Look So Surprised

I’m sure many of you can relate to this: You have a plan in place. You have considered all the unexpected issues that could arise. You have not only “Plan B” in place, but plans “C” through “M.” Then … out of the blue … life throws you a curve ball. The most unexpected of the unexpected challenges arises – and you would need a plan “Z” in place to accommodate and address that issue.

Isn’t it frustrating? I’m a perfectionist and a control freak (look up “Type A” in the dictionary and there I am!). I like to have every contingency in place to assure plans go off without a hitch. Yet, even then, something inevitably arises that I did not account for. The shocking thing about this isn’t the actual issue arising out of seemingly nowhere, but rather the fact that I am so shocked that such obstacles arise in the first place.

Perfect is a myth.

The truth is that life is littered with obstacles. We can’t possibly account for every roadblock that gets in our way. Instead of trying to control the un-controllable, we need to dedicate our energies to preparing to deal with these obstacles when they arise in a level-headed and efficient manner. We need to not look at preventing obstacles, but instead at overcoming them when they no doubt will eventually creep up and interfere with our “best-laid” plans.

Ultimately, the successes of our lives often come down to how well prepared we are for the adversities that seem to find their way in to wreak havoc on our plans.

Instead of being so shocked (for the thousandth time) that there was a bump in the road, expect that no matter how good your intentions may be, life’s surprises get in the way. Find a way to embrace those moments — as nerve-wracking as they may be — and then brush yourself off, learn from the experience and leverage it for the next time the unexpected slaps you in the face. You may not be able to prepare for it, but at the very least you’ll have the experience and attitude to more effectively confront this challenge head-on.