Don’t Run From Conflict and Obstacles

I’ve always been intrigued by how people handle challenges and conflict and obstacles. Some people are wired to thrive in confrontation but most people aren’t that way…and I’m in that camp. My personality tends to be non-confrontational and I’ve spent a good part of my life trying to avoid uncomfortable situations. 

I think of conflict as friction or challenges that can take many forms such as arguments with another person…issues at home or work…projects you’re working on that are giving you a hard time for whatever reason…essentially any type of “problem” that you have to address, confront and resolve.

What I’ve learned is that avoiding conflict only leads to the problem growing. It’s like a screaming toddler – ignoring him or her usually just makes them cry more. The bottom line is it’s hard to get ahead in business and life if you’re not willing to work through problems and challenges.

Successful Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Conflict and Overcome Obstacles 

I think about how ultra-successful entrepreneurs handle conflict. In the memoir, Shoe Dog, Phil Knight talks about what he had to go through to launch Nike. What he had to go through, and the obstacles he had to overcome, were crazy. Most people would’ve caved at any of the low points of his roller-coaster ride…but he pushed through and built a multi-billion dollar company in the end.

It’s such a good book! It’s awe-inspiring, because how does a human being overcome all of that? 

If you listen to my podcast, I sometimes ask my guests about their biggest challenges in business and how they got through them. It’s always very intriguing to me. As I go further into my career, and I’m handling multiple revenue streams, the challenges have gotten bigger. Even as I write this, I’m tackling a project I don’t have much experience with. 

My Current Obstacles in Business

I’ve been working on a physical product that will help you start a morning routine that only takes 20 minutes. Branching out into product development is uncharted territory for me. I have to fight against my natural inclination to put aside work and tackle the hard stuff later. But because of my personal growth journey, I’ve conditioned myself to push through it. 

It doesn’t mean I don’t feel the resistance…I do. I have a tendency to get frustrated and flustered when I’m facing challenges and not sure which path to take. But, as I’ve talked about a lot here on Morning Upgrade, personal development is a journey, and while I may still struggle at times, I can handle it better than I used to. 

The way that I have been working to overcome my natural tendencies to avoid conflict has been through my mindset training. I am working on myself to accept and expect challenges, and reframe them as a good thing…even a necessary thing. Because when you try to be more and do more…that growth will inevitably lead to more challenges to overcome. So it’s a sign that you are heading in the right direction.

Conflict and Obstacles Are a Sign That You’re Pushing Yourself

Recently, I listened to a podcast interview that Ed Mylett had with Dean Graziosi. The basic gist of the interview was that you want conflict and obstacles in your life and business. Not necessarily crippling ones. But you want challenges in your life because they keep you sharp and growing. This is actually a sign that you are pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and trying new things. You may not even succeed with the new things you are doing, but simply trying is important. 

In the interview, they pointed out that trust fund kids never have to work a day in their lives. Some choose to work because they have a natural hunger for achievement and still want to do great things. But, many who choose not to work…essentially no clear purpose or progress…end up getting into a lot of trouble and making a mess of their lives. 

You should listen to the full interview because it’s really good.

It’s Hard to Build the Life You Want

Sure, building the life you want to have is going to be hard. But it will be no harder than getting to the end of your life and looking back with regrets. Darren Hardy talks about how you’re going to feel pain either going for your goals or giving up on them. So you might as well go for it!

Personally, I try to work hard (daily) to make my dreams come true. That doesn’t mean I don’t have fun…I try to balance the two. But I can’t sit back and watch Netflix all day and expect to have a fulfilling life. 

A Fulfilling Life Is One Where You Make an Impact

In my opinion, the most fulfilling life is one in which you are making an impact. I think about YOU…how you’ve come to my website, and you’re reading this blog post, or maybe you’ve listened to the Morning Upgrade podcast. My hope is that you are getting something from this blog and others that I’ve written, and you are putting habits and routines in place in your life. And…my next hope for you is that you start creating your own impact. This creates a ripple effect. 

Happiness is achieved by producing, creating, and making an impact on others. If you’re reading my blog, I think it would be hard for you to disagree with that. You’re here because personal development and growing as a human being is important to you. Personal development should ultimately lead to investing in other people. 

Dealing With Challenges Is Essential to Creating Impact

To achieve anything that is worthwhile, you have to face conflict and overcome obstacles. This is something you have to accept and be okay with so you can push through. 

I’ve been trying to train myself to change the way I look at conflict and obstacles. It can be a very good thing…but I don’t mean a fun thing. Good, as in, it will push you out of your comfort zone to where you will see and feel personal growth. 

Ever since I started the Morning Upgrade, I’ve had to work through a number of obstacles and push myself out of my comfort zone. Even now, there are a lot of open loops in my life (personally and professionally), and I can feel self-sabotage creeping in. But then I remind myself that I believe in what I’m working on and where I’m heading, so just keep…pushing…forward.  

This too shall pass.

Don’t Run – Push Forward

You just have to keep taking action every day until the situation you are in passes. Get up and do your morning routine, focus on ways to be healthier, meditate…whatever you do to invest in your personal development. All of those habits will help you get through the discomfort of pushing past conflict in your life. You only fail when you stop. 

This article is as much for me as it is for you. It’s a reminder to myself that dealing with the challenges that come along with creating a fulfilling life are worth it. Yes, it might be a lot easier to sit around and do nothing, but that’s a surefire way to create a life where one day I’ll look back with regret.

Key Takeaways: 

• Life is hard. It’s either going to be hard to build the life you want, or hard to look back with regrets. So go for your goals.
• Get up every day and take action. 
• Push past the discomfort of handling conflicts and obstacles.
• Accept that you will deal with struggles in life when you are trying to accomplish new things.