Success requires overcoming many life obstacles along your journey. Whatever success we hope to achieve in life, we will face obstacles. It’s the harsh reality of life.

Are you ready to seize the opportunity to overcome these obstacles, or will you miss it?

“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” — Molière, a French playwright, actor, and poet

The key is to be prepared for life’s major obstacles and be equipped with the knowledge you need to succeed. Often, we self-sabotage our success because the external challenges we face are just the ones we wrestle with daily.

It boils down to our mindset about obstacles and how we view success. It all starts within you.

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” — Joyce Brothers, an American psychologist, TV personality, columnist, and writer

7 life obstacles you must overcome to become a success

Here are seven significant life obstacles you must overcome for success. Let’s discuss the barriers we all experience in life and what you can do to conquer them and achieve success.

1. Comparing yourself to others

“Comparison robs you of joy. Learn from others. Don’t compare.” — David Meltzer, a speaker, author, and entrepreneur

Comparing ourselves to others is natural because it helps show us how we can improve. It’s human nature to be curious and learn about others.

But constantly comparing yourself to others can sabotage your success. You start to feel inferior, less secure, and like a failure, even though you are not.

The bottom line is that you don’t have to keep up with the “Joneses.” Doing so will drain your energy and demotivate you. You don’t have to keep up with others and compare yourself to others.

When you compare yourself to someone, you don’t know what chapter of their life they are in. You can’t compare your chapter one to their chapter 20. 

The next time you browse your social media feed, remember that you only see the best part of others. You do not see their struggles, tears, and pain.

2. Fear

“The only thing to fear is fear itself.” — Franklin Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States

Fear arises when we feel unsafe and insecure. It is helpful when there is a real threat. But, when the fear is imaginary, it can prevent you from reaching your goals.

Fear can come from rejection, loss, failure, and pain. It can be the fear of being judged. It can be the fear of travel. Whatever type of fear you may have, you must become mindful of it and its power over you.

Notice your body when you experience the emotion of fear. Write down or visualize what you are afraid may happen. 

Then, imagine your strengths in dealing with this fear and how it feels to have the solutions to handle it. 

You can convince your mind not to let fear in. Think about how you overcame challenging times before.

3. How you talk to yourself

“The reason that I can’t find the enemy is that I have yet to look within myself.” — Craig D. Lounsbrough, a professional counselor and author

Your inner monologue is powerful. Are you encouraging yourself, or do you use negative self-talk? How you talk to yourself can be a big hurdle.

Are you telling yourself stories that are sabotaging your success?

Many people believe that our inner monologue helps us become better people. Overcoming negative self-talk is critical to success.

Our mindset is our most critical asset.

Yet we trip over ourselves time and time again.

Our positive outlook on life and our careers can be tainted quickly. We can shift from thinking, “I’m the best,” to feeling, “I can’t do this.”

It would help if you reframe negative self-talk and didn’t always point out what’s wrong.

4. Seeking perfection

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.” — Michael J. Fox, a Canadian actor

Some of us crave perfection more than others. Getting stuff done is better than being perfect. You will have trouble if you seek perfectionism. 

When you want everything to be perfect, you end up producing less.

Perfection is about not admitting to errors or weaknesses.

Instead of seeking perfection, seek excellence, where you strive to do your best and allow yourself to accept failure. You make mistakes, learn from them, and grow.

Perfection doesn’t guarantee success. 

If you are a perfectionist, try new things.

Let go of your expectations. Don’t do everything on your to-do list.

Remember that perfection is results-focused, not process-focused, while excellence is process-focused, not outcome-focused. 

Perfection is the enemy of growth. 

Change your mindset from perfection to excellence and focus on and embrace life’s journey, not the outcome.

5. Not setting boundaries

“If someone gets mad at you for creating a boundary, consider that a good sign that the boundary was necessary.” — Jenna Korf, an author

Boundaries are crucial to achieving access. Setting boundaries is a vital social skill in today’s world, where our personal and professional lives blur together. Boundaries help us communicate clearly and concisely with others and ourselves.

Boundaries set the perimeter of what you will and will not tolerate. They protect you from harmful experiences.

When you have healthy boundaries, you let others know what you want. You express how you want to be treated. You also communicate your plans.

If you don’t have clear boundaries, you won’t be successful. You will create conflict within yourself. This conflict results in roadblocks to success.

The wish for harmony can be intense. It can be easy to let others make decisions rather than create conflict.

Decide what you like, don’t like, and what you want in life. Then, tell others and be firm about it.

6. Expectation management

“I hope you do not let anyone else’s expectations direct the course of your life.” — Julianne Donaldson, an award-winning author

Set reasonable expectations for yourself. Do not let other people’s expectations of you guide what you should or shouldn’t do in life. 

We all have expectations in life.

If our or other people’s expectations are unmet, we act emotionally.

Expectations can sabotage you if you are not careful. 

For example, dreams must be grounded, or significant disappointments can occur. 

If you don’t manage your expectations and those of others, you lose your drive to succeed. 

Be mindful not to set the bar too high or too low.

7. An unreasonable definition of success

“Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” — Oxford dictionary

What’s your definition of success? What does success mean to you? What must happen to make you feel successful?

It would be best if you defined success for yourself. Success can be wealth, happiness, or fame.

The definition of success varies from person to person. What drives one person is different from what drives another person.

If you set an unreasonable definition of success, you will only seek one specific outcome. When you allow multiple outcomes, success will be easier to achieve. 

Brainstorm outcomes you could experience to achieve success and continue evolving your definition of success.

Bringing it all together

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. Don’t turn around and give up if you run into a wall. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” — Michael Jordan, an American businessman and former professional basketball player

To be successful in life, you must overcome seven major obstacles. These include comparing yourself to others and fear. It also involves how you talk to yourself and seeking perfection.

Not setting boundaries is another obstacle, as is expectation management and having an unreasonable definition of success.

Success in life is about jumping over hurdles along your journey.

You will trip and fall, hit a hurdle, or not be the fastest hurdle jumper.

That’s okay.

The key is to jump over one hurdle at a time and not give up.

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” — Roger Crawford, a tennis player and motivational speaker

---

Join my email newsletter for a free eBook and more helpful insights.