--- title: "How to turn Obstacles into Opportunities | Grit Brokerage" description: "Five ways to see obstacles as opportunities, drawn from The Obstacle Is the Way: embrace emotions, listen first, celebrate grit and model healthy risk-taking." url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/how-to-turn-obstacles-into-opportunities publisher: Grit Brokerage contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry --- [Market insights](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/blog?topic=market-insights) # How to turn Obstacles into Opportunities This post argues that successful people think differently about obstacles. Drawing on the book The Obstacle Is the Way, it describes three disciplines: perception, action and will. It then offers five ways to train yourself and others, including embracing emotions, listening before speaking and celebrating grit over accomplishment. By Grit BrokerageJun 13, 20213 min read ![Climber reaching a summit, illustrating turning obstacles into opportunities](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/a53ed9_b918a127bb9c4781987a9bad2c797e25.Bfg3kGgY_UGR93.webp) I remember hearing a very successful domain name investor [once say](https://www.ricksblog.com/2019/05/start-ups-need-to-be-smart-ups-time-to-wise-up/#.YMZdtKhKiUk): “Don’t minimize ANY pitfalls. Must be magnified AND amplified.” The more I have marinated on that statement, the more it is apparent that successful (and happy) people think differently specifically about problems or obstacles. In a book I read a few years ago called “The Obstacle is the Way,” it explains simply that what stands in the way becomes the way. It explains that overcoming obstacles is a discipline of three critical steps: how we look at our specific problems, our attitude or approach; then the energy and creativity with which we actively break them down and turn them into opportunities; finally, the cultivation and maintenance of an inner will that allows us to handle defeat and difficulty. Here are 5 ways to train ourselves and others to see obstacles as opportunities for growth: 1. Embrace emotions. How we feel can teach us a lot about ourselves. What rises up in us when we encounter challenges? Fear? A sense of helplessness? When we encounter obstacles, identify how they feel and try to process those emotions. Then work to develop concrete ideas for taking the next step. 2. Be quick to listen, slow to speak. For us to be capable of seeing obstacles as opportunities, we need to give ourselves (and others) the space to problem-solve. This means we need to hold back when we want to jump in and give answers. The key here is to become good at asking questions and at allowing ourselves and others the space to sort it out as much as possible before we offer advice or create a plan. Unless the obstacle requires an immediate response, sometimes the best response is to calm our emotions, assess the situation, and formulate a plan. 3. Celebrate grit, not accomplishment. If we are convinced that what we have to do to succeed is win, then seeing obstacles as opportunities will be increasingly difficult. Instead, obstacles will look like threats. And when we are threatened, we tend to avoid or run rather than engage. But if we can learn to celebrate grit; the effort a person puts into a task—rather than the outcome, we can free ourselves with much greater certainty that it will turn out just fine. 4. Model healthy risk-taking. We’ve all heard the saying “Do as I say, not as I do.” Of course, the reality is the exact opposite. Others are far more likely to copy our behaviors than our instructions. If that’s the case, we need to model healthy risk-taking. It might be as simple as introducing yourself to the new neighbor or talking through the process of taking a new job. It doesn’t have to be skydiving or investing in bitcoin. Seeing obstacles as opportunities is possible in everyday activities. 5. Debrief after success and failure. Sometimes we will conquer obstacles and other times we won’t. Debrief after the experience. Write down what you’re learning, why you think you failed (or succeeded), and what, if anything, you would do differently next time. Debriefing after failures or successes is a key tool in your arsenal to help interpret your experience and learn from them. In closing, we forget: In life, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given. The only way you’ll do something spectacular is by using it all to your advantage. Have a great week! Reformulated from [grit.org](http://grit.org/) blog [post](https://www.grit.org/post/turn-obstacles-into-opportunity). ! ## Questions this post answers ### What are the three steps to overcoming obstacles? The post says overcoming obstacles is a discipline of three steps. First, how we look at problems, our attitude. Second, the energy and creativity we use to break them down. Third, the inner will that lets us handle defeat and difficulty. ### Why celebrate grit instead of accomplishment? If you believe success means winning, obstacles look like threats, and people tend to avoid threats. Celebrating the effort a person puts into a task, rather than the outcome, makes it easier to engage with problems and trust that things will turn out fine. ### What does it mean to be quick to listen and slow to speak? It means giving yourself and others room to solve problems. Ask questions and hold back answers. Unless the obstacle needs an immediate response, the best move is often to calm your emotions, assess the situation and then form a plan. ## Terms in this post - [Domain name](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/domain-name) - [.com](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/dot-com) - [.org](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/dot-org) ## Keep reading - [The Nitty Gritty - Interview with RagsToRiches.comIn this Nitty Gritty interview, Christopher explains why he bought RagsToRiches.com from Grit Brokerage for a cleaning business training course. He wanted a brandable, recognizable name separate from his current cleaning business. He already sees monthly traffic without marketing and found the process smooth.](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/the-nitty-gritty-interview-with-ragstoriches-com) - [.com vs .ai vs .io vs .co: How to Choose a Domain Extension.com is still the safest default because buyers, investors and email systems expect it. Choose .ai if your product is AI and you accept higher renewals. Choose .io for developer tools with some registry risk. Choose .co mainly as a cheaper fallback. Whatever you pick, try to own the .com too.](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/com-vs-ai-vs-io-vs-co) - [Domain Broker Fees and Commissions: What You Will Actually PayDomain brokers usually charge a commission on the sale price, often in the range of 10% to 30% depending on the model. Some add an upfront fee, such as GoDaddy's $99.99 for buyers. Escrow adds a separate fee. Each broker sets its own terms, so ask for them in writing.](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-broker-fees) - [How Domain Escrow Works (and Why Every Deal Should Use It)Domain escrow means a neutral third party holds the buyer's money until the domain is transferred to the buyer. The buyer pays the escrow agent, the seller moves the domain, the buyer confirms, and then the agent pays the seller. Neither side has to trust the other with money or the name.](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-escrow) - [Domain Lease-to-Own and Payment Plans: How They WorkDomain lease to own lets a buyer pay for a domain in monthly installments. The domain stays locked, held by the platform or an escrow service, until the last payment. The buyer can usually use it during the plan. After the final payment, ownership transfers. Terms differ by provider, so read the agreement.](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-lease-to-own) - [Domain Marketplaces vs Domain Brokers: Which One Should You Use?A marketplace lists your domain and waits for buyers to find it. A broker finds likely buyers, contacts them and negotiates for you. Marketplaces suit lower-priced and brandable names at low cost. Brokers fit premium names where the right buyer will not search for you. You can often use both.](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-marketplaces-vs-brokers) ## Buying or selling a domain? Call, text or email. Responsiveness is our trademark, and a broker answers, not a form robot. [Talk to a broker](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact) [Call (442) 500-GRIT](tel:+1-442-500-4748)