“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal”
This quote is by Henry Ford. And I find it quite deep and powerful when considered carefully.
Henry Ford was a determined person. He spent years battling against the patent for “automobiles” that was held by a ‘patent troll’ – as we would say today – who tried to maintain scarcity. He wanted to be able to provide affordable cars to more people; and he eventually won after years of legal procedures.
He does not deny that obstacles can look frightening and difficult. He just states that if we have a strong goal, we’ll always find a way.
An other thinker, Randy Pausch, in his famous “last lecture“, did a statement that is for me fundamental:
“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”
So, obstacles are not just here to test your commitment, they are also here to make the different with those that are not passionate enough to persevere.
So, remember next time you moan or you’re scared because of some obstacle: did you take your eyes off your goal? Is your goal clear and compelling enough?
Will you work to overcome that obstacle, which will make the difference between you and the other wannabes?
