day 518: Obstacles

We all have had work obstacles that kept us from getting done what we think we should have, could have, or wanted to do. Sometimes these obstacles are uncontrollable in the sense that we are provided assignments and people to work with, or circumstances and decisions made are outside of our sphere of influence. But, even with all of that, we are able to control how we think about these obstacles and how we allow ourselves to feel. I am constantly amazed at the people who can come to work each and every day and regardless of the challenges or obstacles in front of them, carry with them a positive attitude and a sense of optimism that no challenge is too great or no obstacle too hard that it can't be overcome. The irony is that these people are also the ones who the boss looks to when she/he has something to be done that seems impossible to achieve. Why? It's simple. The person who cannot see obstacles stopping them, no matter what, are the ones who get the most done. If we look at the obstacles in front of us and shrug our shoulders and say, "it can't be done", then it should be of no surprise that others wouldn't bring us their challenges, their problems to be solved, or their need for advice and counsel. This is not the way we want to be perceived or known. We want our reputation to be one of being the person who seems beyond the challenge and sees the opportunity within the problems. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:30; "Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from doing God's work." We are doing God's work when we are bringing glory to Him in the earthly work that we do for a living. If Paul says that even happiness or wealth should not get in the way of doing this work, then surely there is no obstacle we could imagine that should get in the way of us being the best we can be and approaching our work as being filled with many possibilities and really, no obstacles that can stop us.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 7:30 (New Living Testament)