Mental shifts to overcome obstacles are basically the only thing keeping me from yeeting my laptop out this third-floor window in Queens right now. The radiator’s clanking like it’s got opinions, my coffee’s cold because I forgot it again, and I just realized I wore two different socks to a video call. Classic. But these little brain flips? They’re what stop me from spiraling into “guess I’ll just live in sweatpants forever” mode. I’ve quit more things than I’ve finished—jobs, diets, that one time I tried to learn Spanish and ended up arguing with Duolingo’s owl at 2am. Real talk: I still suck at half this stuff. But when it works, it works.
First Mental Shift to Overcome Obstacles: Let the Mess Breathe
I used to think if I could just organize hard enough—Marie Kondo my brain, basically—everything would click. Nope. Last month my flight got canceled, I missed a deadline, and my phone died in the Uber. Old me would’ve melted down. New me just sat on the airport floor eating stale pretzels and went, “Well, this is happening.” Didn’t fix anything, but I didn’t cry in public, so… progress? Still hate it though. Like, I’ll “embrace chaos” until my internet cuts out and then I’m googling “is it legal to scream in an apartment.”
Keeps me focused on goals because instead of fighting the storm, I just put on a raincoat. Or, y’know, hide under the covers and try again tomorrow.
Psychology Today says resisting less = more resilience. Cool, I’ll try..
Second Mental Shift to Overcome Obstacles: Failure’s Just a Plot Twist
I tried to start a candle business in 2021. Sold four. One caught fire. (Not on purpose.) Smelled like lavender and poor decisions. Now I call flops “plot twists” because it sounds cooler than “I wasted $300 on wax.” Still wake up at night cringing though. Sent a pitch email last week with “looking forward to hearing from you’re team” and wanted to die. Client replied “haha no worries.” Universe 1, Ego 0.
- Say it out loud: “This blew chunks.”
- Make it funny: Turned my failed logo into a sticker. Slaps on my water bottle now.
- Do it again worse: Next version will probably suck less.
HBR’s got a whole thing on why failing’s good actually .
Quick Tangent on This Mental Shift to Overcome Obstacles
I still ghost people after one “no.” Working on it. Or not. Whatever.
Third Mental Shift to Overcome Obstacles: Know Your Damn Why (It Changes)
My “why” used to be “stick it to the man.” Now it’s “don’t let my dog think I’m a quitter.” (He judges.) Wrote it on a Post-it, stuck it to my monitor. It’s currently covered in dog hair and a mystery stain. But when I’m procrastinating, I see it and go, “Fine, I’ll open the doc.” Works 60% of the time. The other 40% I’m watching pigeon videos.
- Make it stupid specific: “Finish this so I can buy better coffee.”
- Say it like a mantra: Feels culty, does something.
- Let it evolve: Yesterday’s why is today’s “meh.”
Forbes on why purpose.
Fourth Mental Shift to Overcome Obstacles: Tiny Bites or You Choke
Big goals freak me out. Writing a whole blog post? Paralysis. Writing one dumb sentence? Doable. This post started as “ugh title???” in my notes app. Now it’s… this. Still not done, but closer. Sometimes I bribe myself with tacos. Sometimes I eat the tacos first and call it “fuel.” Lies.
- 5-minute start: Timer goes off, I’m usually still going.
- Celebrate dumb wins: Sent an email? Hero.
- Skip guilt-free: Did laundry instead of writing. Body smells better, brain happier.
Mayo Clinic says small habits > grand plans.
Fifth Mental Shift to Overcome Obstacles: Perfect Is a Lie, Ship the Ugly Baby
I once rewrote a tweet 23 times. Still got 2 likes. Sent an email with “teh” last week and the world kept spinning. Aim for “done enough to not embarrass my mom.” Timer method: 30 mins, hit publish, run. Cringe in the shower later.
My cat just added “;alkjdf” to this draft. Keeping it. Proof of life.
Alright I’m Done Rambling About Mental Shifts to Overcome Obstacles
These mental shifts to overcome obstacles are less “life hack” and more “duct tape on a leaky pipe.” Sometimes it holds. Sometimes I’m soaked. But I’m still here, socks mismatched, coffee cold, dog snoring on my foot. You’ll mess it up too. That’s the gig.
