By Bill Quain
This week’s column goes out to all the people who just can’t figure out how to move forward. When they look ahead, all they see is a brick wall. There’s no way around it. There’s no way over it. It’s just there!
Everyone has those days. Unfortunately, for some people, those days turn into years, or even a lifetime. They are just stuck!
Obstacles are made up of bricks.
I’ve found that obstacles are rarely made up of one single piece. It isn’t like you’re looking at a solid rock or a tree that has fallen across the road. In our complex world, today’s obstacles are made up of bricks.
Each brick represents a challenge in life. Any one of those bricks on its own might not be a problem. Even five or 10 of those bricks wouldn’t hold you back for long. However, when you see a wall that is both tall and wide, it’s the accumulation of bricks that’s causing you problems in your life.
It could be a lack of money. It could be those challenging colleagues at work. Maybe you don’t have the experience to accomplish what you want. Each brick is different, but the mortar that holds them together is the same. You see, bricks by themselves aren’t bad. But, when you start spreading that mortar and stacking those bricks on top of each other, that’s when the wall seems impenetrable.
What’s hidden on the other side?
Here’s something you need to know about brick walls and other obstacles. They always hide rewards. The bigger the obstacle, the bigger the reward is on the other side.
If the rewards weren’t hidden by an obstacle, someone else would have claimed them. It’s that wall of bricks that keeps most people out. If you break through that wall, you can get the reward. However, before you break through, you have to “see” what’s on the other side.
You need to develop X-ray specs.
When you were a kid, do you remember seeing advertisements for “X-ray” spectacles in the back of comic books? Supposedly, you could put on these special glasses and “see” through anything.
Well, that’s what you need in life. You need a pair of X-ray specs that help you look right through the obstacles. Imagine what a competitive advantage this will give you!
Train yourself to look through obstacles.
Here’s what the X-ray specs symbolize. In order to accomplish things, you need to visualize what the rewards are. You need to see yourself on the other side of that wall. All of those bricks that are built up and blocking you will come tumbling down if you have a clear vision of what’s on the other side.
I love telling people about obstacles.
As many of you know, I am almost totally blind. My life is full of obstacles! However, when I want to accomplish something, I don’t look at the obstacle. I have a pair of X-ray specs in my pocket at all times. I take them out and put them on. Now, all I can see is the reward. Once that happens, all I can see is me having the reward. This puts me way ahead of the competition. Most of them are focused on the brick wall – the problem. All I can see is what I will get when I solve that problem.
Make your X-ray specs your superpower.
I was reading a story about the origin of the “X-Men.” It seems they were all kind of nerds. They had low self-esteem and were awkward in social situations. But each one of them learned they had a superpower. That superpower turned them into mighty dynamos.
Are you trying to find your superpower? Here’s my suggestion. Develop your x-ray specs and put them on whenever something is in your way. Always keep your eye on the prize. Never put yourself behind a bigger wall or a bigger obstacle. Life throws out enough bad things. Don’t add to it.
OK, what powers your X-ray vision?
I don’t know about you, but the power I need to light up my X-ray vision specs comes directly from my dream. I am able to look through the wall of challenges because the things I want are so strongly imprinted on my mind that I can see them, even when they are hidden.
When I see obstacles, I get excited! I know there is something good back there. I know those obstacles will keep other people out, allowing me to win the prize. I may not be the most talented person, nor the bravest, most perceptive, or smartest. But I am the most persistent in many cases. When I look at an obstacle, I immediately begin disassembling it in my mind. I look through each brick, one at a time, until there is a clear path to the rewards.
How sharp is your X-ray vision?
Mine is (ironically) 20/20. How do I keep it that sharp? I block all the other stuff that is hindering my vision, and focus, focus, focus.
People will always try to talk you out of looking through walls. They’ll say “Why waste your time? You can’t get through there. We’ve all tried, and none of us succeeded.” When I hear that kind of talk, I get a laser focus on those rewards. I don’t bang my head up against the obstacle. Instead, I take it apart.
Check out my X-ray vision video.
This will be the best three minutes you’ll spend! Either enter this link in your browser: https://bit.ly/quainxray or search YouTube for “Develop X-Ray Vision by Bill Quain.”
Tell me about your focus ability.
What gives you the power to see through obstacles? Do you have people depending on you? Are you driven by ambition? No one is judging here. We just want to know! Send me an email to bill@quain.com.
As I say each week, “I’ll see ya in the papers!”
Bill is a Professor in Stockton University’s Hospitality Management Program. He is the author of 27 books, and a highly-respected speaker. Even though he is almost totally blind, Bill is a long-distance runner and runs the Ocean City Half Marathon each year. He lives in Ocean City with his wife Jeanne, and his Guide Dog Trudy. Visit www.billquain.com or email him at bill@quain.com.