Sometimes, things are going to hit you. Details will try to overwhelm you. Obstacles will pop up in your path. That's just the way life is. And if you're a leader in hot pursuit of a vision, its best to learn to expect it. After all, resistance is what build strong muscles. Ships are safe in the harbor but they aren't made for the harbor. Strong sailors aren't made in calm seas. And leaders are just going to have to develop thick skin.
One little phrase I started thinking to myself a long time ago was, "Doesn't Matter, Doesn't Matter, Doesn't Matter." What I meant by this was that the goal remained the same, the obstacles were just there to add color to the story. And maybe I'm just weird (okay, maybe it's more than a maybe) but it worked for me. It helped me remember that the big picture was still the big picture. The goal was set in stone and the path in sand.
As long as you've got the vision clear in your mind, and you've got the goal set in stone, perhaps keeping this little philosophy in your head will help you advance. It doesn't matter what happens, it's how you respond. Respond appropriately with a little self-encouragement and press on. As Ghandi said, "Your playing small does not serve the world." So play big. Expect obstacles. And realize that those obstacles don't matter!
