The Nature of Obstacles

Robert Holzhauser
Definition Of Obstacle
“a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress.”

Origin –> Latin

ob = against + stare = stand
obstacle = to stand against.

“Stand” is an active process. Someone is doing it. In most of the things

that we generally call obstacles no one is actively opposing us.
Turning Processes Into Things
• In language, many of the words we use are abstractions that are
distortions of reality in that they don’t exist as things, only processes.
Yet, we speak of them, and ACT AS IF they are things.
Examples:
Decision  Decide / Process of Deciding
Relationship  Relate / Ongoing Process of Relating.
Communication  Who’s communicating to whom and about what
Thought  The process of Thinking
Obstacle  Experiencing someone or something as blocking our path.
Cause and Effect

Results Reasons
Obstacles
Jungian Psychology & Neurology

Perception is Interpretation.

Perception is Projection.
Who Creates our Obstacles?
• By virtue of deciding on a goal, and a path to the goal, we create our
obstacles at the moment of setting the goal.
• Since we create them, can we also un-create or dis-create our
obstacles?
Four Common Patterns Of Responding to
Obstacles
• Identification
Four Common Patterns Of Responding to
Obstacles
• Obstacle is “real” & Identify with it.
Four Common Patterns Of Responding to
Obstacles
• Obstacle is “real” & Identify with it.

• Giving the obstacle an unrealistic meaning(s).

“It wasn’t meant to be”
Four Common Patterns Of Responding to
Obstacles
• Obstacle is “real” & Identify with it.

• Giving the obstacle an unrealistic meaning(s).

“It wasn’t meant to be”

• Think about it or Wait and See

Four Common Patterns Of Responding to
Obstacles
• Obstacle is “real” & Identify with it.

• Giving the obstacle an unrealistic meaning(s).

“It wasn’t meant to be”

• Think about it or Wait and See

• Test the water by sticking one toes in.

What are Obstacles Really?
What are Obstacles Really?
• Feedback about what to do next.
What are Obstacles Really?
• Feedback about what to do next.
• Cause for celebration … you’ve made it far enough on the path to
your goal that you have encountered the obstacle. That’s a degree of
success!
What are Obstacles Really?
• Feedback about what to do next.
• Cause for celebration … you’ve made it far enough on the path to
your goal that you have encountered the obstacle. That’s a degree of
success!
• An Opportunity to Learn and Become a better person.
What are Obstacles Really?
• Feedback about what to do next.
• Cause for celebration … you’ve made it far enough on the path to
your goal that you have encountered the obstacle. That’s a degree of
success!
• An Opportunity to Learn and Become a better person
• Are mostly put “out – there” by your unconscious mind, based on it’s
programming, habits, memories, and “baggage”
• 80% or more of the time the real answer to obstacles is within, and releasing
our “baggage”
Off course 97% of the time = Amazing Success
Celebrate Your Obstacles!