Roadblocks to Success

Are roadblocks on the road to success, just a sign you are getting closer?

 

Roadblocks

 

My studies with Business Mamas continue this month, with me racing to complete a 12 month Business Diploma that I commenced last July. Although, it’s not a race as such. It’s a course that I’ve been able to work at my own pace with. Some weeks I’ve been able to throw myself at my studies and do more than the suggested 10 hours a week, other weeks like the last one, I’ve needed to put the brakes on and actually have a break.

 

As a huge percentage of my course is based on my new business, it means that a lot of what I’m doing day to day is contributing to my studies. In turn the more effort I put into my studies the more the business benefits and the closer I get to that official launch. It’s also thrown up a handful of what I would call roadblocks along the way, creating even more work for me which will hopefully mean less roadblocks when I get down to actual business.

 

Roadblocks

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about roadblocks lately. It seems each week, a new problem or issue with launching a new business comes to light. Some physical, others not so tangible and something I wonder if a decluttering of my mind and different approach could easily fix.

 

Thanks to my studies, I’ve invested a lot of time researching and investigating my start-up, so that I know I’m doing the right thing. There is so much conflicting information about, it can be overwhelming just to know what to believe and who to trust. My studies with Business Mamas are certainly helping point me in the right direction. I’ve also been attending a number of local networking and workshop events. A lot are more miss than hit though and I find myself wanting that time back.

 

A lot like the sales-ey type workshop I recently attended as a guest of a friend. Only it wasn’t promoted in those terms. You know those workshops… where you pay (I didn’t) to unlock the secrets to whatever it is. Only to discover four hours later you’ve wasted 3/4 of the time handwriting word for word from their PowerPoint presentation because that’s the time wasting tactic used what you were encouraged to do (I didn’t).

 

What you’ve written in that four hours is only a small glimpse of the big picture and you will need to fork out the even bigger $$ for the next course BUT (there’s always a but and there is always lots of time wasting rather than solid facts)… if you sign up today and give them a testimonial they will knock a whole grand off the grand price. If you ask me, it kind of discredits all the testimonials that have just been flashed up as part of their PowerPoint presentation.

 

Given I wasn’t really buying much of what was on offer and could see straight through the subtle sales pitch early on and their tactics were falling flat on me, I spent the majority of the workshop making notes on their technique. Although, I was still determined to make the most of my time and take something away from the morning.

 

One thing that was said early on in the piece at this workshop, is that obstacles or roadblocks on the road to success generally mean you are getting closer. There was also figures thrown around as to how many people generally give up at the last hurdle. Which really got me thinking. How does one know which is the last hurdle? More importantly though, for those of us that don’t like to give up without a bloody good fight, how do you know when enough is enough?

 

How do we decide if we are bashing our heads against an indestructible brick wall or roadblock?

 

ROADBLOCKS

 

Level One Roadblocks

 

Speed bump on a road when and car

 

Level one roadblocks are more of a bump in the road, something that slows you up. Something you can quickly and easily jump over or swerve to miss without even having to stop the car.

 

 

Level Two Roadblocks

 

Caution Tape, Tree and Wires Down on Road

 

This would be your tree branch across the road type of roadblock. Something a bit inconvenient but easily fixed with a little bit of effort, as long as it’s not a trap and there’s not a landmine or live power lines waiting for you on the other side. If it’s more than you can cope with in-house then it becomes a level three roadblock…

 

 

Level Three Roadblocks

 

landslide on the mountain road

 

This is your landslide moment. Something that requires a lot of muscle and possibly a lot of outside expert help. But it is by no means the end of the road. It’s going involve a lot of time, inconvenience and possibly funds but you should still be able to move forward.

 

 

Level Four Roadblocks

 

Restricted Opportunity

 

The road is completely blocked at this level and it’s going to take too much time, effort and resources, than is worth it, to continue forward. It might mean red tape or the powers that be are blocking your way forward or could be something else. Which just means you need to seek advice to find a new approach or road and hopefully new opportunities will unfold in the process.

 

 

Level Five Roadblocks

 

 

End of the road. It's digged up.

 

This is basically when you’ve tried everything to unblock the road only to step on a landmine, blowing the road to smithereens. It’s the end of the road. There is nothing left to salvage and no real way forward. In business terms, it is time to admit defeat, employ your exit strategy or call in the receivers.

 

 

FOCUS

 

If anything, this roadblock exercise has me grateful that I’m starting my business off on the right road. I’m sure there will be even more roadblocks along the way but I’m setting myself up for success not failure. I think it is important for any one starting a new business or in business to focus on your goals not the obstacles and have plans in place for when things do go pear shaped. In particular, don’t be afraid to seek help early on. For me that was through Business Mamas and my business diploma course.

 

What roadblocks are stopping you in your tracks right now?

 

Liking up late with My Home Truths for I Must Confess & a little bit early with Essentially Jess for #IBOT because my social media time isn’t my own this week. 

About Mystery Case 462 Articles
Follow Raychael aka Mystery Case on her mystery adventures 'casing' people, products and places to bring you her worth casing favourites.

40 Comments

  1. Great Post! So many of these questions I’ve asked myself recently and this post has given a lot of clarity. It think roadblocks can determine how stuck you really are as some roadblocks as you say can be managed or worked around, but others can halt you in your tracks. As for meetings that have a hidden agenda, I can’t stand them. I’m glad you were still able to get something out of the session though. x

    • I’m the same with hidden agendas. I really must stop putting my hand up for those sort of workshops. I think it is the networking side of it that I get most benefit from but I’m not really sure that is enough, when I’m so time poor right now.

  2. Nice analogy. What level roadblock would consist of your own doubt and your own efforts to talk yourself out of something because you’re scared of failure?

    • Mind roadblocks to me are a completely different kettle of fish. I’m going to look at those in a different post because I honestly believe those types of roadblocks are self induced and very much in our own hands.

  3. I love this post, great analogy! The real skill seems to lie in identifying the level of roadblock. Sometimes what may seem like a level 4 roadblock at the time, in hindsight is actually a lot lower level. And sometimes you realise you’re on the wrong road and there’s a clearer and smoother road you can use instead to take you to the same goal!

  4. Great post Raych. I’m really glad you’re getting a lot out of your Business Mamas course and you’re able to put it into practice with your new venture!

  5. Really interesting post. It can be so easy to be disheartened when you hit a roadblock and to know when to power on or pull out. It sounds like you’re getting so much out of this course. I can’t wait to see how your new business unfolds 🙂

    • I honestly go through stages with the course. It is creating a lot of work for me but it’s honestly work I need to do. So in a way forcing my hand to do things properly from the get go rather than dive in head first like I usually do and play catch up as I go along.

  6. I have just started a small business (literally just started) and I love the way you have defined roadblocks. I have hand written all this and stuck on my wall. (or perhaps printed it and stuck it up). Still very excited about your new business idea Raych

  7. I heard a quote late last year ” the brick walls are there to stop the lazy people from stealing your dream”…maybe the roadblocks are the same for you. Hang in there xx

  8. Great post Raych. I hate it when I go to workshops/seminars/conferences like that, and feel like I’ve wasted both time and money! I remember going to one such event years ago, because I was really excited to hear the guest speaker. Turned out it was a not so subtle pitch for the charity she supported. Which is great, but I didn’t go to hear that. I paid money to hear from HER about HER. Not her favourite charity.

  9. This is a really great exercise to go through and do. I am my own biggest roadblock! I must sit down and do this properly when the kids go back to school and hubby (who is a bigger more annoying roadblock) goes back to work from holidays.

    • I’m going to address mind roadblocks soon. I’ve got all mine at home at the moment too. It’s a nice distraction but with so much on I’m not enjoying them as much as I should be.

  10. There is nothing worse than workshops that you leave thinking that was a waste of my time.
    I think I often create roadblocks that aren’t actually there because I overthink things or doubt myself but in the end I always overcome them. #MummyMondays

  11. I think most of my roadblocks are very self inflicted. When I step back and view the situation, the things in my way are usually low motivation, other priorities, laziness, or fear.

    • I wonder if self inflicted obstacles are actually roadblocks? I see roadblocks as more things you can’t control. If something is self inflicted it indicates to me something you can actually control you just need to change your mindset. Keen to hear your thoughts.

  12. Well I understand this even more now. Self-managed road blocks are ones which are much more our responsibility and I know mine. In fact, in the way I have been learning about how to live my life with IBS more manageably it is called NOT avoiding things. I need to manage my life with or without IBS and do what I want and need to do and avoidance cant be my excuse any more. it is a BIG learning curve alright. Good luck with the road blocks over which you have some control and those with no control will be about how you approach them I guess. Denyse

    • Yes, I covered the self-inflicted mind roadblocks in a blog post this week (Back to Business). I do feel we have some control over our thoughts and in particular those types of obstacles. Other obstacles that are out of our control, are all about how to best approach them.

      I can relate to your IBS issues. Finding ways to manage and continue on with life when you are in the thick of a flare up can be a challenge.

  13. My roadblock is getting too caught up in the past at times and not doing an Elsa and letting it go.

    SSG xxx

  14. Oh, I love this! My roadblocks for my current business endeavours are out of my control. Well, that’s what it feels like. Getting rejected by the powers that be who need to come on board in order for me to hit the next milestone. They are level four roadblocks. I just turn around and head back to where I came then take a different road. It’s time consuming but surely I’ll get there in the end? The problem is with moving forward it is so often all about getting an invitation to be there. It’s hard to get into the party just by knocking on the door. You’ve got to know somebody who knows somebody. So often the roadblocks are not about what you’ve got to offer but who you know to help clear the way …

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