Sometimes we get stuck. Game levels, job positions, it’s all the same really. We’re stuck in the mud with no way out…for now.

When these obstacles are stacked high enough, it might seem like a dead end. Thankfully, life, unlike a labyrinth, is dynamic in design. Things are always changing. What may seem like a wall today might be a hurdle tomorrow.

Maybe you have passed your old elementary school and saw how low the basketball hoops were. It might have been impossible to dunk on these kid-friendly hoops when you were a kid, but now you stand face-to-face with the rim. Those monkey bars that once were too high to even consider crossing are probably at chin level now.

I guess the monkey bars are still impossible if you’re tall enough…

The point is, what may seem like an impossible obstacle now might not be so bad later on. Now, that doesn’t mean every tough problem in life will become easier with the passing of time. Certain things, like object-oriented programming in BASH will remain intangible. So how can you tell which challenges will become easy? And when?

Trick question: You can’t!

Overcoming obstacles is done by problem solving. The point of problem solving is not to gauge difficulty, but to find a solution! Find a way to jump that hurdle, cross those monkey bars, and dunk in that hoop!

In that order!

When faced with what seems like an impasse, take a step back and re-evaluate the situation. Acknowledge the hurdle between you and your goal and ask yourself simple questions that will simplify your circumstances.

Do you really need to accomplish this goal? Do you need to do it right now, or can it be done later? If you wait patiently will the obstacle disappear, or are there additional actions required before you can overcome?

Really judge the situation and come up with possible alternative actions to be taken. After you’ve considered your options, pick a new path and march forward with complete focus. If you’re working on a team, ask them for their thoughts on the situation as well. Remember, you don’t have to be a FlyingRodentMan!
Check out this entry from Tumblr blog INTJ* Confessions:

If all else fails, think of the wall as an obstacle meant to send you into a frenzy until you find your way to a path leading you in the right direction again. After all, what is an impasse but a part of an elaborate obstacle?

But that’d be INSANE!

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Coding Fanatic

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Here is a link to INTJ* Confessions Tumblr blog