Three approaches for overcoming obstacles - Obstacle is the way Part IV

Hey there! We're gonna chat about some cool stuff today. We'll be talking about three different approaches to overcoming obstacles by looking at some famous people and their strategies. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!

🔸 In praise of the flank attack - George Washington: Surprise, creativity, and going for the unexpected to get the win.

🔸 Use obstacles against themselves - Gandhi: Turning challenges into opportunities and finding alternative ways to reach your goals.

🔸 Seize the offensive - Obama: Pushing forward when everyone else sees disaster and turning negative situations into positive ones.

Estimated read time: 4 minutes 33 seconds

Let's dive in and see how these strategies can help you overcome the obstacles in your life!

In praise of the flank attack - George Washington

George Washington is seen as this super brave and fearless general in American history, fighting off the British and all? Well, truth is, it wasn't exactly like that. Washington was more of a sneaky, hit-and-run type of guy. He didn't have a big, well-trained army, so he mostly focused on defense and avoiding big British forces.

His biggest "win" wasn't even a direct fight with the British. Dude crossed the Delaware River on Christmas morning and attacked some possibly hungover German mercenaries.

He was really good at retreating and saving his troops, which wasn't exactly glamorous, but it worked.

So, it's not shocking that his legacy got a little polished up. And he's not the only one. We tend to think wars are won by two massive armies going head-to-head, but that's not really the case. Most victories come from other stuff - like surprise attacks, psychological warfare, or going for the unexpected.

When you're facing a challenge, don't just try to power through it. Look for other ways in, like a side door or a window. Sometimes, being the underdog can be an advantage, 'cause it forces you to be creative and find new ways to win. It's not cheating to focus on what works for you, even if it feels like taking a shortcut.

Convincing people to change their minds is similar. You won't do it by attacking their beliefs head-on. You gotta find common ground, use leverage, or create an alternative that's so good they'll jump on board. It might not be the flashiest way to win, but it's often the most effective.

Basically, the shortest way home might actually be taking the long way around.

Use obstacles against themselves - Gandhi

So, Gandhi didn't exactly fight for India's independence, right? The British Empire did all the fighting and losing. But that was on purpose. Gandhi was all about non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. Sometimes, you gotta overcome obstacles by letting them come at you instead of going on the attack. Like how Gandhi used peace against violence and hate.

You can totally use other people's power against them. Just think of how the Russians beat Napoleon and the Nazis by retreating and letting the winter do the work. It's a different kind of action, but it's still action.

Sometimes, the obstacle might seem impossible to beat, but that doesn't mean you should give up. Instead, find a way to use that obstacle to help yourself. Like boat captains on the Mississippi River who used the strong currents to slingshot their boats upstream.

Alexander the Great did something similar when he trained his horse Bucephalus. Instead of using force like everyone else, he just held on until the horse calmed down. So, maybe think about how you can use your obstacles to your advantage.

Sometimes, you need to chill and let things sort themselves out. Like when you're super eager to get what you want, but in the end, you just make things worse. There are other ways to reach your goals besides always moving forward. Standing still or going backward might help you get past whatever's in your way.

This approach requires some humility, though. You have to accept that the "traditional" way might not work for you. But as long as you reach your goal, who cares how you got there?

Using obstacles against themselves is different from doing nothing. It's actually pretty active, with lots of discipline, self-control, fearlessness, and strategy. Just remember that every negative has its positive, and you can turn a negative into a positive by pushing through it.

So, don't worry about obstacles being too big for you. Sometimes, that bigness can actually help you out. Just shift your action and approach, and you might find that those problems aren't so bad after all.

Seize the offensive - Obama

In 2008, Obama's presidential campaign was in trouble. His pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, said some controversial stuff, and it looked like it might ruin Obama's chances. Most candidates would've freaked out or tried to distance themselves from the issue.

But Obama? He turned it into a teachable moment. He gave this amazing speech called "A More Perfect Union" and talked directly about race in America. Not only did he defuse the controversy, but he also got a boost that helped him win the White House.

The thing is, just taking advantage of the opportunities life gives you isn't enough for greatness. You've gotta learn to push forward when everyone else sees disaster. That's when you can surprise everyone and pull off a big win.

Obama's adviser, Rahm Emanuel, once said, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." That's some solid advice right there. Some of our best leaders have used tough situations to make real change. We can do the same in our lives.

You know that thing you always wanted to do? Write a screenplay, travel, start a business, whatever. When something bad happens, use it. Lost your job? Now you can travel without anything holding you back. Overwhelmed by emotions? Turn them into art. Facing a problem? That's the perfect thing to ask a mentor about.

Great people don't shy away from negative situations. They use them to their advantage. So don't waste your crisis feeling sorry for yourself. Be bold, and life will reward you.

In war and life, it's all about finding the right moment to act. People like Napoleon and Rommel knew this, and they could sense the perfect time to strike. When things seem tough, keep pushing, and eventually, you'll break through.

That's what Obama did. He didn't back down. He faced the challenge head-on and turned it into a powerful moment. Sometimes, the obstacle in your way is just what you need to launch yourself forward.