Find A Way Or Make One

"We will either find a way, or make one!"
-- Hannibal

You don't have to be a bloody-handed warlord seeking to sack the capital of an empire to find useful meaning in Hannibal's famous quote.

In fact, it mirrors my favorite aphorism, which is "If you want to do something you'll find a way, if you don't you'll find an excuse."

If you look around, the underlying principle has been reiterated over and over again, one way or another. Pablo Picasso once said "Everything is either easy or impossible." And martial artist James Williams explains it thusly:

One of the core principles of Nami Ryu is that every problem comes with its own solution. Problems are not presented that do not have solutions. It's the way the universe works. Our task becomes to recognize the existing solution instead of trying to solve the problem from a preconceived technical or philosophical framework.

Without further belaboring the point, look at your own life with your eyes wide open. Many of the things you perceive as threats or barriers are magnified by your fears, and less daunting once you start actively working to achieve the solutions you need.

There's A Fine Line Between Goals And Barriers

While setting goals is critical, you need to achieve them. That's the whole point, after all.

Oddly enough, goals can become barriers. You set them, but never reach them. Or if you do reach them, it took an unusual amount of time and effort to do so.

Self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors come in a lot of different guises, and can have many different underlying motivations.

Making a conscious effort to change and progress can be one of the scariest things a person can undertake. Even in the most motivated individual, deep down you'll find kernels of doubt and worry.

Often, when faced with a goal, there's a feeling of existential dread, of worrying "what then?" Other times, you lack a deep-seated belief that you can do it. Wanting it, and wanting to do it are two different things. Lots of people "want" things, but lack the resolve to take the steps on the path to get there.

Set goals. Achieve them. Once you're there, set some new goals and set about achieving them.