Obstacles are nuisances. I don't want them. I don't like them. I wish I didn't have any at all. Alas, that's probably not the best way. I have found that from time to time quile is better than force. You may have heard this wonderful quotation, "If I can't get through a trouble, I try to go around it, and if I can't go around it, I try to get under it, and if I can't get under it, I try to go over it, and if I can't go over it, I just plow right through it."

That's the philosophy I like to use.

Initially, determine if the obstacle, problem or issue can simply be discarded and forgotten about. A lot of obstacles will just simply solve themselves. If you can identify which ones they are, the best strategy is simply to ignore them in often you'll find they simply evaporate. Remember that it's typically only 20% of any universe that really requires attention. The same goes for obstacles and problems.

With the twenty percent, see if you can get past the obstacle by using your wits. Imagination and cleverness may be the best path around the issue. If so, use that technique and save your brute force energy for later. Sometimes knowing a great technique helps. I'm going to reveal one to you right now.

If you find out that you really cannot get around, under, or over the problem you're facing, you may have to address it head-on. When you can't avoid an issue then have to realize that although difficult facing up to it does become easier with practice. Often this is where I find most of my real opportunities.

Thomas Jefferson had a similar idea about how to handle difficult situations. He put it this way, "Always take hold of things by the smooth handle."

Consult with yourself.

Once you've got a problem that you want to address, you'll need paper and a pen. Frankly, that's the only tools you'll need. Begin by listing, as rapidly as you can, all the ordinary and obvious possible solutions, even those you know in your heart won't succeed. Now, go slower. On a second list, it's probably going to be shorter, be as innovative as you can with ideas. Take your time, think hard and write down a minimum of two ideas. Take a look at everything you written down and select one and only one concept. You want the one that seems to be the best. Divide the paper into two. Draw a line down the center and list the strengths on the left and the weaknesses on the right. There's nothing hard about this technique, but it's a great way to determine how well this idea could be implemented I've done this a lot and have found that 10 minutes is more than enough time to complete the entire exercise even if it's a very big obstacle.

Like anything new practice makes perfect. If you determine to do this technique on a daily basis will find that you'll become quite proficient at it in a short time.