When we think about what stands in the way of building better tomorrows, it’s easy to focus on external challenges. These obstacles are real and impactful—hurricanes, racism, wars, poverty, toxic workplaces, mental health struggles, political upheaval, heartbreak—the list goes on. However, sometimes, the most significant barriers to change lie not outside of us but within. How might you be your own biggest obstacle—and, potentially, your greatest asset—in the journey to create positive change?
For me, these inner obstacles most often emerge on Sunday mornings. Perhaps, it is when things slow down and the constant pace of doing can’t distract me from my angst. Recognizing these obstacles within has helped me welcome them as part of my experience, and yet not allow them to pull me down into disengagement.
Inner Obstacles
- Blame
When we blame others, we say, “It’s their fault. They need to fix it.” Blaming can be justified and even understandable, but when our analysis stops with blaming others, we give ourselves a reason to disengage and avoid taking action ourselves. - Helplessness
This mindset whispers, “Nothing I do will matter.” Often rooted in perfectionism, helplessness masquerades as rigor or discipline. In reality, it allows us to avoid taking action and any risks. By setting the bar so high that nothing we could do would be “good enough,” we protect ourselves from potential criticism and justify our disengagement. - Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness says, “Nothing they do will matter.” This attitude lets us sit comfortably and safely in judgment, feeding our ego while distancing us from responsibility. This feeling of superiority can be tempting and satisfying, but it also keeps us from engaging in meaningful ways. - Cynicism
The cynic’s mantra is, “Nothing anyone does will matter.” This can sound smart or sophisticated, but it’s often just a shield against disappointment. Cynicism justifies disengagement under the guise of critical thinking. Claiming that nothing anyone does will make any difference, makes it easy to avoid investing ourselves in change.
Key Reminders for Overcoming These Obstacles
- Notice and Expand Beyond Binary Thinking
Many of these inner obstacles are fueled by all-or-nothing, fix-it-or-give-up binary thinking. bell hooks reminds us that binary thinking is dominator thinking. Real progress often requires working with nuance and complexity within the gray areas and letting go of simplistic answers. - Avoid Perfectionism
Needing to have all the answers, get it right, and avoid any possibility of criticism is rooted in perfectionism. According to scholar Tema Okun, perfectionism is a tool of white supremacy culture. It keeps us waiting until we’re sure our actions will be flawless, uncriticized, or guaranteed solutions. However, progress over perfection is the mantra we need. Taking imperfect steps forward creates more impact than waiting for the perfect solution. - From Ego to Service
To genuinely empower change, we must let go of our attachment to looking good, being right, or getting credit. Shifting the focus toward service, learning, and growth frees us from the need to protect our image or reputation. This humility opens the door to more authentic engagement, learning and growth, and sustainability. - Emergence and the Power of Small Actions
As adrienne maree brown reminds us, how we do small things is how we do big things. The little things done repeatedly and/or by many make up broad change. Kindness to a stranger, helping a neighbor, showing empathy in a tense moment—these actions add up. Each small act of engagement contributes to a larger pattern of positive change. - Hope as a Practice
Hope isn’t just an emotion we wait for; it’s a practice we cultivate. Every day, we can choose to act with hope that better tomorrows are possible, even if the circumstances aren’t ideal. Practicing hope means moving forward despite challenges, holding onto the belief that our actions can make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Empowering better tomorrows starts within. By recognizing and addressing our inner obstacles—whether it’s blame, helplessness, self-righteousness, or cynicism—we can unlock our potential to be part of the change. Embracing imperfection, letting go of ego, and taking small but meaningful actions are practices that empower not only ourselves but also those around us.
Remember, creating change is less about waiting for the right conditions and more about nurturing the right mindset. Let’s practice hope, choose progress over perfection, and step into contributing toward transformation for better tomorrows.
