The Obstacle Is The Way

The Daily Stoic for June 30th. “The Obstacle Is The Way”.

“While it’s true that someone can impede our actions, they can’t impede our intentions and our attitudes, which have the power of being conditional and adaptable. For the mind adapts and converts any obstacle to its action into a means of achieving it. That which is an impediment to action is turned to advance action. The obstacle on the path becomes the way.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 5.20

If it’s too easy… It probably isn’t very profitable, or someone else has already done it. This is certainly true for entrepreneurship.

That’s why your “Uber for…” or your “It’s like Slack but with added…” is never going to work. Well, it MIGHT work, but you might as well win the lottery. Probably, your chances of winning the lottery are higher. So go buy a lottery ticket. 🙂

The Obstacle Is The Way

Carrying a business to a successful conclusion -meaning, turning it into a profitable company- is hard. The path is full of obstacles. No matter how tight you think loose ends are tied… There will be always a new problem or obstacle waiting for you. If not tomorrow, next week. It’s just a matter of time.

The other day, a fellow entrepreneur, who made a big hit years ago, described it as a completely addictive experience. Like a drug. Excitement, risk, adventure…

It’s not like that for me. While it’s true that when things start to work out, the adrenaline rush is amazing… I am not into “Chuck Norris” mode yet, and I think I’ll never be. Problems and obstacles make my heart pump… But not out of joy or excitement.

However, with time, you learn that these obstacles and issues are part of the way. You learn to overcome them and keep on with your business and your life. If it was simple and easy, we will probably all be millionaires… and to be honest… it would be somewhat more boring…

Conclusion

Today’s Daily Stoic, “The Obstacle Is The Way”, discusses an overlooked truth: there’s always an obstacle waiting for us… Which means the way is just made out of them.