Two weeks ago, we explored how a can-do attitude, that mindset that WE CAN DO IT, is a key to successfully dealing with change. With a can-do attitude, we are better positioned to overcome obstacles and problems that get in the way of successfully managing change.
This week, we are going to spend some time talking about overcoming obstacles or negotiating the roadblocks on our journey of change and transition. Negotiating roadblocks is a strategy that focuses on the ability to change course and direction when change and transition place obstacles in the way of life’s journey. Marsha Sinetar has said, “Life’s ups and downs provide windows of opportunities to determine your values and goals – Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want.”
Why is dealing with roadblocks important when dealing with change? When in the midst of change or transitions, life is like a roller coaster ride; it is full of ups and downs, but as Sinetar says, these ups and downs offer us opportunities, chances to determine what is important and what direction we really want to take. That move out of our comfort zone forces us to re-evaluate ourselves, to search for pockets of strength we didn’t even know we had, and to move onward and upward to where we want to be. All roadblocks and obstacles present unique challenges to us, but within those challenges are wonderful opportunities to further develop our skills, experiences, knowledge, networks, relationships, and ourselves in general.
I would like to highlight this with another example from my personal life. When I was president-elect of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), I had the privilege of planning the 1992 annual conference which happened to be the association’s 25th annual conference. My conference theme was “Celebrating the Diversity in Teaching and Learning” and because it was a milestone anniversary conference, I wanted a memorable keynote speaker. I was most fortunate to get Alex Haley (probably most remembered as the author of Roots).
I was working in Salem, Oregon at the time I was planning the conference. One of the phone calls I received on February 10, 1992 was from a Seattle, Washington colleague asking how I was doing. I responded that I was busy, but fine. The person sounded incredulous and asked how I could be fine (and sound so calm) at a time like this. I had no clue about what my colleague was talking so asked what was going on. My colleague, another CRLA member, had called to talk to me about breaking news: it had just been announced that Alex Haley had died and what I was going to do about the conference.
My conference was scheduled to begin on April 9 and Haley passed away on February 10. Talk about change happening unexpectedly. Indeed it had. Talk about a roadblock being placed in one’s path. I had one BIG TIME! After hanging up the phone, I sat in stunned silence for a few moments. After my brief period of mourning both the loss of a great writer as well as the loss of my keynote speaker, I shifted my mindset to viewing this as an opportunity and went about retooling the conference and arranging for another keynote speaker. I must admit that I derived some inspiration for my retooling efforts from the book The Wizard of Oz.
The characters from the Wizard of Oz are my favorite example of those who refused to let roadblocks keep them from their goal. No matter what was put in their way of reaching Oz or their goal of returning home, they rose to the challenge (often using their creativity) and overcame the roadblock. They truly used all obstacles as stepping stones to get to what they wanted.
How does one develop the skill of negotiating roadblocks, of viewing obstacles as stepping stones and successfully using them to reach goals?
1. Identify what is standing in the way of reaching the goal. Is it emotional based (fear, anger, doubt, worry, sadness)? Is it something physical (distance, lack of a resource)? Is it health related (physical ailment, weight issue, lack of exercise)? Is it our mindset (resistance to the change, negativity, my way is the only way)?
2. Determine the best approach of overcoming the obstacle. Does the issue require just taking a step back, slowing down a bit, and cooling off? Feel hampered as if in a straitjacket where the connections must be determined before the bounds can be loosened or severed? Is the challenge more of a hurdle (something that is standing in the way) for which you need to gain momentum so the hurdle can be jumped? Has something impassable, like a boulder, been dropped on the path where a whole new route must be found? Is it just the “yellow light” flashing indicating to us the need to slow down and use caution? Does it feel like the wall has been hit? As Michael Jordan says, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
3. “Blast” the roadblock into manageable pieces. Break down into smaller, more manageable ways/steps the approach to overcoming the roadblock. Taking small, baby steps will help prevent one from becoming overwhelmed by the roadblock.
4. Be persistent. Keep on going no matter what. (See the April 28, 2014 post ‘Persisting Through the Waves of Change for suggestions on how to become more persistent.)
5. Take an emotional “time out.” When roadblocks are placed in our path, it is common to get flustered and react in an emotional way. This type of reaction isn’t usually productive. It may be cathartic, but it isn’t going to remove the roadblock. When facing the roadblock, we must begin to look at it with our logic and reason lenses. This will help identify the relevance of the roadblock and the means by which to overcome it.
6. Take a view from a different perspective. View the roadblock from someone else’s perspective (spouse, child, co-worker, boss, friend, sibling, parent). Try to see it inside out and upside down: is it truly what we think or have we misunderstand the situation? Am I clearly seeing the picture or are there clouds or fog in the way? Have others dealt with the same obstacle? How did they overcome it? Have I made assumption about the issue? Do these assumptions help to remove the roadblock or do they make it worse?
7. Think irreverently, divergently, creatively. Go beyond conventional wisdom. (Refer to the past posts on thinking differently for ideas on how to develop that skill.)
8. Talk through the situation. Talking to others will help put or keep things in perspective. Other people may have similar experiences and may be able to share how they dealt with the roadblock. Seek expert help when the obstacle seems insurmountable and the desire to give up is strong.
9. Be action oriented. Change overwhelms us. The roadblocks within the change can stop us in our track; paralyze us. This is the time to take a deep breath and step into action. Focus on the following: Just what is the roadblock? The circumstance? Can I handle it; control it? What parts can’t I control? How do I gain the upper hand with this? How can I influence this circumstance? What resources do I need?
10. Think like a winner. Believing roadblocks can be overcome is half the battle. Have confidence. Steer clear from doubts because they will only immobilize any effort. Self-doubts also turn attention away from solutions and keep the attention on the problem. The calmer one can be, the clearer the mind and the better one is able to think divergently and creatively about the issue(s). Winners don’t quit; they rise above to meet the challenge head on.
Someone once said, “If the boulders are moved, even a river will change its course.” Change and transition often require us to change our course. Don’t fear doing so. Instead, look at the roadblock, the obstacle as a challenge, that with our can-do attitude, becomes an opportunity to develop our skills, experience, knowledge, networking, and/or relationships and in doing so, helps us move beyond the obstacle, the roadblock.
Author Becky Johnen 