How Bad Do You Want It? (Why Obstacles Exist In Your Life)

by Jason C. Prater

A few weeks ago, I finished my first half-marathon. This inspired me to set a goal to run two more half-marathons followed by my first marathon in early 2017.

Can I share with you two recent obstacles on the journey to making these goals happen?

Two weeks ago, while running a smooth seven-miler, I felt what I thought was a pebble smack me in the back of my leg. Next thing I know, I can barely walk, let alone run. My calf muscle had rolled and tightened. I literally limped home, seething the entire way.

That same weekend, in rushed moment trying to get ready at my house, I ran around a corner and stepped on, not one, but two prongs of our hair dryer cord. Now, I was limping on both legs, every step I made feeling worse than the one before.

There I was, excited about the running goals I had set for myself, ready to make them happen, diving into the training and then… life happened.

Here is what I am finding in life: Obstacles are a natural part of life’s journey and should always be expected (Tweet that!). It is how you react to them that makes all the difference in the world.

How bad do you want it?

Trying to finish that degree? Trying to make your marriage work? Trying to love the unlovable child? Trying to get your business from an idea to a reality? Trying get out of debt? I promise you, you will face some kind of obstacle.

Life will keep you from your classes. Financial pressures will place a continued strain on your marriage. Your child will make decisions that will simply appall and frustrate you. You will struggle in raising the capital you need to make your idea a reality. Car problems and home appliance breakdowns will keep you from getting out of debt.

There will be obstacles to all of your goals. The question is, “How bad do you want it?”

Successful people who know who they are, know their purpose in life, know their goals and know their destination will push through these obstacles every single time. They see these obstacles for what they are; life’s way of forcing you to work for what you really want.

If you give up on your dream, you didn’t really want it in the first place. (Tweet that!)

Nothing great in life can happen without pain, sweat, toil and tears (Tweet that!). Yet, this idea goes against the very grain of how humans – especially Western humans – think and perform. We want everything comfortable and we want everything now!

In order to really reach the goals you have set for yourself, you are going to have to develop your inner strength, be willing to get dirty and push through every obstacle you face.

Your purpose and your destiny await on the other side.

Rise higher,

Jason