3 Ways to Change Roadblocks into Valuable Tools

Our initial reaction when hitting a setback or a "roadblock, whether it be during an important project or even just trying to finish a task, is usually one of frustration or the thoughts of "Why does this always happen to me?" or "why doesn't anything ever work for me?". Roadblocks can be valuable though. Here's how:

  • Roadblocks can be an indication that we need to stop and take a step back in order to look at the big picture. Take the time to re-affirm the original goal and see if you're still on the right track or if you've somehow gone down a path you never intended to in the first place. Sometimes, we get so caught up in dealing with the day to day issues that we don't realize that we are now suddenly somewhere we didn't plan on going. Take the time to re-focus on where you want to go and you may find that you've just saved yourself a lot of time and trouble on something you don't want to be involved with anyway.
  • Roadblocks can also be an excellent opportunity to brainstorm. Maybe when the plan was created in the beginning, all of the potential options weren't considered. There may be far more efficient or cost effective opportunities available if you take the time to do some research.

    For example: say you want to publish a "How to" book. You get it all set up and then find out that it's going to be too expensive to get it printed. You could just give up on the idea or you could brainstorm. For example:

    - could you create an e-book instead?

    - could you print it off yourself?

    - could you simply alter things to make it cheaper (ie. Less colour pictures, use only 2 colours, etc.)?

    - could you find a technical college which may be willing to do this cheaper as students would be working on it?

    - would it be better as a web site?

  • The benefits of brainstorming like this is you may figure out a far better idea than the one you had originally. You may end up really glad that you didn't go with the original plan.

  • Sometimes, running into roadblocks can also be a sign that you're drained and just need a break. You may find that after you've taken the time to re-charge your batteries and regained your enthusiasm, the roadblocks seem to just disappear on their own.
  • If you can think of your roadblocks as a challenge then you avoid falling into the victim trap. Your confidence to achieve your goal will increase as you know it can be done. You just need to figure out if there's a better way. Think of them as "silver linings" and you'll be amazed at what ideas you suddenly come up with. Your goal may suddenly become closer than you thought and be an even greater achievement and all because you knew a roadblock could be a really valuable tool. You just needed to know how to use them.

    Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.

    Catherine Pratt 2005

    For more articles and tips on how to build self confidence in your personal and work relationships, visit life with confidence

    licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..
    In The News:

    Chrome extension spyware disguised as a free VPN service highlights security risks after it captured private browsing data from trusted sites.
    New research shows how fatty acids in cooking oil can safely dissolve and recover silver from circuit boards without harmful chemicals or environmental damage.
    The Fox News AI newsletter gives you information on the latest AI technology advancements, and about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Anthropic investigates alarming AI abuse case where hacker automated entire cybercrime campaign using Claude, stealing sensitive data from defense and healthcare firms.
    TikTok, Meta and YouTube restrict Charlie Kirk shooting videos with age gates and warnings while X faces criticism for allowing continued circulation.
    Cybercriminals use fake troubleshooting websites to trick Mac users into running terminal commands that install Shamos malware through ClickFix tactics.
    San Francisco startup Fable launches Showrunner, an AI platform dubbed the 'Netflix of AI' that generates animated episodes from text descriptions with Amazon support.
    Apple raised iPhone prices for some models despite receiving tariff relief from President Donald Trump, with the new lineup starting at $799 for the base model.
    A two-story 3D concrete printed home in Western Australia demonstrates faster construction methods that could reshape American housing amid rising costs.
    Credit scores remain important during retirement for insurance rates and housing applications, while seniors become prime targets for identity theft and financial scams.
    Scammers now send unexpected packages with QR codes that redirect victims to fraudulent websites or download malicious software to steal sensitive information.
    Meeting AI tools record private conversations alongside work discussions, creating privacy risks that can be managed with proper settings and awareness.
    Hotel privacy concerns are valid but rare, with methods to detect hidden tech using smartphone flashlights, mirror tests and scanning apps.
    Improve your Wi-Fi speed and reliability with 10 simple router optimization tips that don't require special apps or expensive subscriptions.
    A Columbia University breach exposed names, Social Security numbers and academic records of nearly 869,000 people, with notifications beginning in August.
    Rental car drivers use AI-powered apps like Proofr to protect themselves from unfair damage fees as major companies deploy automated inspection tools.
    Fox News' AI newsletter brings you the latest on technology advancements around artificial intelligence.
    OnTrac data breach between April 13-15, 2025, exposed personal information of over 40,000 people including Social Security numbers and medical records.
    A woman named Wika announces her engagement to an AI chatbot sparking worldwide debate about virtual relationships and technology.
    The notorious people search site National Public Data relaunches despite a previous breach affecting 3 billion individuals, raising fresh privacy concerns.
    Revolutionary TRAUMAGEL gel controls life-threatening bleeding from gunshot wounds and traumatic injuries, helping first responders prevent prehospital deaths.
    Protect your home network by enabling proper encryption, creating strong passwords, checking connected devices and using VPN and antivirus software.
    The Navy's solar-powered Skydweller drone flew nonstop for 73 hours in Mississippi, proving renewable energy can power long-endurance military missions.
    Moving and downsizing expose seniors to identity theft and scams as data brokers collect real estate records and personal information to sell to criminals.
    ShengShu's Vidar technology revolutionizes humanoid robot training by using AI-generated synthetic video, reducing required training data from hours to just 20 minutes.

    Positive Thinking: Polyanna Syndrome

    Why do we have such a downer on Pollyanna? After... Read More

    How You Doing? The Answer is Up to You and It Will Make Your Day Great If You Answer Correctly!

    How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More

    Overcoming Bad Moods

    From experience, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people... Read More

    The Rat Race and Smiling Over Spilt Coffee

    As if choreographed and rehearsed the night before, one lays... Read More

    Thinking About Attitude

    Attitude, has a way of preening itself, often without awareness... Read More

    Find Your Inner Strength to Tackle Any Challenge

    Everyone faces challenges during their life, from suffering the death... Read More

    5 Tips on Turning a Negative into a Positive

    I thought this was fitting sense I just experienced a... Read More

    10 Tips to Improve Your Self Esteem

    Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind.... Read More

    CHANGE: Do You Do It? or Does It Undo You?

    It has been said that CHANGE is THE only constant.... Read More

    How To Talk Your Way To Success

    Smart folk have always realised how vital it is to... Read More

    Mind Games!

    Have you ever been caught up in a thought that... Read More

    Looking For Answers In All The Wrong Places?

    Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More

    Have a Present Moment!

    It was the 10th day of rain, and I walked... Read More

    Self-Confidence Secrets: Measure Your Successes

    Would you like to be confident in the things you... Read More

    Attitude Is Everything! Make it Great!

    Change your attitude, change your lifeIn my experiences, I've found... Read More

    The Mind?s Power Fusion Component

    It is widely believed that just anybody has the intrinsic... Read More

    Stream of Consciousness

    One thing that is important to realize about thought: one... Read More

    Individualized Positive Affirmations for Improving Self-Esteem

    Positive self-esteem is very important if not crucial to our... Read More

    Adding Meaning To Your Life

    You got up today to go to work, to come... Read More

    Do You Love Yourself?

    So, do you love yourself?Shouldn't really be a difficult question... Read More

    Mental Fitness For Confidence And Winning In Life

    Studies show that men and women profit most with having... Read More

    Heres Your Calm During The Storm Of Discouragement

    Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More

    Anger And Your Driving

    Are you driving under the influence of impaired emotions?Dateline: December... Read More

    New Attitudes-New Possibilities

    I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More

    Mindfulness and Curiosity: Inspiring Affection

    "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More

    on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..