How to Convert Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones
Mount Timpanogos is a majestic 11,752 foot guardian of the beautiful valley where I live. I rose early one morning several years ago and hiked twelve miles to reach the summit. Together with a close companion we moved from wooded slopes to barren rocky slides where the snow white glacier protected Emerald Lake. Prior to reaching the top of the mountain, we saw two athletic young men running barefoot through the sharp rocks. I was amazed. As they passed our small group, I asked them why they were running barefoot through the sharp and jagged rocks. Stopping for a second, one man replied, “These rocks are only stepping stones to the top and running barefoot helps find the best footing.”
Since that time on the west slope of Mount Timpanogos, I have reflected many times on their comments about stepping stones. There is no doubt in my mind that every one of us will confront sharp and jagged rocks on our journey through life. We can call these rocks stumbling blocks, and how we treat them will determine whether they cause us to fall or will lead us to a bright future. I believe that stumbling blocks can become stepping stones that provide excellent footing for reaching our individual summits.
There are many obstacles to success in today’s ever-changing world. As the Director of Real Estate Education at Response, I have witnessed many of the obstacles that many entrepreneurs face on a regular basis. Here are just a few of the stumbling blocks that can stop us from achieving success in our chosen fields.
• Poor Work Habits. The lack of proper dedication to completing a task is the first stumbling block most entrepreneurs encounter.
• Undefined Goals. If you don’t know what you really want, there is no way you’re going to achieve success.
• Using Shortcuts. The idea of a shortcut is to achieve success without putting in the work. Too often, shortcuts lead to the wrong destination.
• Failing to Get Expert Advice. None of us is born with the ability to do everything perfectly.
• Lack of Consistency.
• Unwillingness to Change.
• Falling into Negativity.
Stumbling blocks can be converted into stepping stones to success when you follow a plan based on outcomes and results. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t want to succeed. Unfortunately, many people find success elusive because they encounter stumbling blocks and haven’t learned how to confront these obstacles and turn them into stepping stones for success. Let me offer six suggestions for using your obstacles as stepping stones. .
1 – Change your perspective. How we think determines how we act. Start thinking long-term and living short term. When you begin completing short-term goals as part of long-term objectives, life looks better. Don’t get discouraged when things don’t happen as fast as you would like.
2 – Forgive yourself. Don’t wallow and dwell on mistakes. Failures, large and small, will happen. If you make a mistake, recognize the mistake and be willing to forgive yourself for making it. Then move on towards your long-term goal and forget the pain of the mistake.
3 – Develop new strengths. As you progress towards your long-term goals, start finding new ways to do things. Look for new ways to accomplish your goals. If you have made a commitment to achieve success in real estate, search out education and experts who will help you make your dreams a reality.
4 – Enjoy the journey. When you hit those stumbling blocks, remember that they are only short-term bumps on your long-term journey to success. Don’t let the stumbling blocks rob you of the fun and enjoyment of life. Be willing to laugh at your stupid mistakes and enjoy the success of your micro goals.
5 – Be open to options. From time to time the stumbling blocks may require you to change your path. Perhaps you will need to alter your program as there are many different ways to reach your goals. If something isn’t working, don’t give up on the journey, consider taking a different path to reach your goals.
6 – Never give up. Babe Ruth once said, “You can’t beat the person who won’t give up.” That is as true today as it was then. Your ability to keep working will help you to achieve success when others fail.
A wise religious leader, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, once said, “Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.” The question is whether you want to stumble or step, and when you make the right decision, the answer is even more clear. Stumbling blocks can be converted into stepping stones for success.