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INTRODUCTION

Scrolling through social media, you likely see a dozen picture-perfect lives that don't match your own. When scrolling, you likely feel your life doesn't match up to others', especially when a challenge or hardship comes your way.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret, though. Everyone faces obstacles. Whether or not they choose to share those obstacles for other people to see is up to them. Instead of dwelling on comparing your obstacles to others, it's most helpful to focus on yourself, gear your mindset to overcome the obstacle and turn it into success.

But how does one do that? Many obstacles feel daunting and impossible to beat. As a result, it is easy to become disillusioned or give up on the obstacle altogether. Or, like some people, you may get resentful of others who seem to overcome any obstacle and turn it into success with ease.

Both giving up and resentment are useless. By changing your mindset, you can become someone who turns obstacles into success. Don't get me wrong, it will take a whole lot of hard work, determination, and blood, sweat, and tears, but you too can overcome any obstacles and transform them into success.

In this book, we're going to tell you how to do it. We begin by looking at what obstacles are and how you should perceive them.

From there, we look at important points like why perception matters and the level of control you have over obstacles. These first few chapters are crucial for setting a solid foundation for overcoming obstacles.

Next, we give you the two most important steps for actively overcoming your obstacles, including identifying them and setting goals for direct action. Finally, we end by discussing the importance of focusing on yourself, emotional resilience, and continued practice.

Together, these chapters give you a key blueprint for not just overcoming one obstacle in your life but how to learn from your obstacles so that you can turn any challenge you face into success.

Whether you are facing a major obstacle at this moment or want to better your life, use this book as a guide for transforming any challenge into a success. Let's get started.

THE TRUTH ABOUT OBSTACLES

Before jumping into how to overcome obstacles, you need to know about the reality of them.

Everyone knows what an obstacle is, but most have an unrealistic and warped idea about it. Instead of viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth, people view them as events working against them. This unrealistic idea makes it much more difficult to overcome your obstacle and transform it into success.

With that in mind, you need to know the truth about obstacles: obstacles are not all bad. I know this idea might sound a little radical, but it is true. Just like everything else in life, obstacles come with both positives and negatives. Recognizing both sides will help you overcome the obstacle quickly and efficiently.

Why Looking at Both the Negatives and Positives Matters Whenever an obstacle comes your way, it is important to remember this fact. If you only focus on the negatives, which most people do, it is much easier to get distraught, overwhelmed, and depressed by the situation. This will make it more challenging to overcome the obstacle and turn it into success.

However, if you look at the negatives and the positives, you see the obstacle in a much more realistic light. This realistic understanding of obstacles allows you to think rationally and clearly about the task at hand. From there, you can begin to overcome your obstacle instead of getting overwhelmed by it.

Not to mention, you take away most of the negatives of obstacles whenever you view the positives. This will make it much easier and more enjoyable to fight your obstacles, even if you aren't necessarily succeeding as quickly as you would like.

Possible Negatives of Obstacles

Obviously, obstacles come with several negatives. Even though you shouldn't get caught in the negatives, you should be aware of them so that you know how to best go about your situation and overcome the obstacle. Whenever you are aware of the negatives, more of the power is given back to you.

As a result, you can begin to master the obstacle because the negatives are your own. Acknowledging them simply makes them less scary.

The exact negatives of the obstacle will depend on the challenge. For example, your obstacle may be finding a new job. In this case, the negatives might be that you are under financial stress, need to move, or something else related to the actual job. These negatives are different from the negatives of a different obstacle, like relationship troubles.

In addition to the obstacle centered negatives, some negatives are common in all obstacles. Most notably, obstacles require you to work. If you already have a full-time job and other responsibilities, the added responsibility of overcoming the obstacle can take a lot of your time and energy, even for the most hardworking of people.

Not only that, but obstacles challenge you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every time you find yourself in a new obstacle, you are forced to challenge yourself to grow as a person. This process takes up, once again, a lot of energy, and it can bring up a lot of negative emotions depending on the situation.

The required effort and emotional turmoil that come with most obstacles are what make obstacles so terrible. Most people don't like extra work. So, they grow to hate obstacles.

Guaranteed Positives of Obstacles

In addition to the negatives, obstacles have a lot of positives. Most people fail to see these positives, and they focus on the negatives instead. Though this is incredibly tempting to do, you should try your hardest to keep the positives in your mind. The positives will help you overcome the obstacles, stay motivated, and enjoy the process.

Forces You to Grow

The biggest positive of any obstacle is that it challenges you to grow. Even though challenges come with a lot of hard work and effort, it is the only way for you to become the person you want to be. In other words, challenges make you a better person.

Some obstacles may make you physically better, such as an unprecedented health scare, while others will make you emotionally more resilient. It doesn't matter how the obstacle makes you grow. What matters is that you grow and become a better person at the end of it all.

Helps You to Get to Know Yourself Better

Another benefit to come out of obstacles is that you get to know yourself better. We are often trained to get to know our coworkers, family members, and friends, but we often forget to know ourselves. This makes it more difficult for us to trust our own thoughts and know what we want out of life. Obstacles force us to reflect on ourselves and the world. It teaches us our strengths, weaknesses, and limits. This allows us to get to know ourselves in a way that would not be possible without obstacles.

Improves Self-Esteem

As we grow and get to know ourselves better, our self-esteem grows as well. So, obstacles lead to increased self-esteem, which is their third benefit. Self-esteem is what helps us to know our value outside of our accomplishments and talents. It is necessary for a happy and functioning life.

Improves Relationships

The last benefit of obstacles is that they can improve our relationships. You likely have noticed that people with shared hardships tend to be some of your strongest and most trusted relationships. As you go through obstacles, you become more empathetic and able to communicate with other people in similar situations.

Recap

All in all, obstacles are not a completely bad thing. Even though they are a lot of work and can put a strain on your life, they force you to grow, help you to get to know yourself, boost your self-esteem, and improve your relationships. Remembering these positives and the negatives will help you overcome the obstacle because of your realistic and rational mindset.

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It seems like everyone is talking about intermittent fasting these days. With this powerful guide you will learn what intermittent fasting is and how you can get started in the right way so that you maximize your chances of success.

We will explain in this guide how intermittent fasting works and how you can get the best results from it. Intermittent fasting is not easy so we show you how to inspire and motivate yourself if the going gets tough.

You need to choose the right intermittent fasting method and we will show you how to do that. We will also explain the common mistakes you need to avoid and why you may need to scale up your intermittent fasting to achieve the best results. This and more is all covered in the guide so let’s get started.

With intermittent fasting you will participate in a cyclical diet where you will fast for a specific period of time and then eat for a specific period of time. The period of time where you can eat will vary depending on the type of intermittent fasting plan you choose.

You need to be aware that there are many types of intermittent fasting. In this guide we will cover some of the more popular ones, and also recommend what we consider to be the easiest intermittent fasting plan to follow. We want you to stick with your intermittent fasting plan and not be unhappy and want to give up quickly.

Fasting and Eating Windows

As you now know with intermittent fasting you will have a time to fast which we will call the “fasting window” and a time to eat which we will call the “eating window”. You need to know what you can and can’t do during these windows (especially the fasting window).

The Rules of the Fasting Window

When you are in the fasting window time you cannot consume any food. You can drink water but that’s all. It is very important that you do not consume any calories when you are in the fasting window.

The Rules of the Eating Window

You can eat while you are in the eating window. It is important that you consume calories during this time. With intermittent fasting your diet is a secondary consideration. So you could actually eat whatever you like during the eating window.

The Secret to Success with Intermittent Fasting

If you really want to succeed with intermittent fasting then it is essential that you are totally compliant during the fasting windows. This means consuming no calories and only drinking water. The reason that this is so important is that your body will turn to your fat stores as a source of energy.

When you are in your fasting window your stomach will be empty and your body will not have any food that it can use for fuel. It will have no choice but to tap into your stores of fat. This is exactly what you want as it will burn that unwanted fat away.

A lot of people struggle with weight loss because their insulin stores are full and their bodies are able to use the food they consume for fuel. Their bodies never get the chance to tap into their fat stores. Even if the person exercises they will struggle to see any visible results.

Go For a Calorie Deficiency

Although we said earlier that you could in theory eat what you like during your eating windows we do not recommend this. You will be a lot more likely to achieve the weight loss results that you desire with a combination of intermittent fasting and a calorie deficient diet.

Calorie deficient just means consuming less calories than are recommended for your body type. When you combine this approach with intermittent fasting you are going to see visible results a lot faster. This is important to keep you motivated to stick with your intermittent fasting.

How Intermittent Fasting works

With some intermittent fasting plans you will have an eating window of 8 hours each day and a fasting window of 16 hours. This means that you need to consume calories during the 8 hour window.

So you will consume less calories than you need during the 8 hour window (calorie deficit) and when this is over and you are into the fasting period your last meal will be digested around 3 to 4 hours into the fasting window.

This means that for around 12 hours your body will have no food to use for fuel and it will have no choice but to look to your fat stores as a source of energy. It doesn’t matter if you are awake or sleeping your body will always need to burn calories to keep all of the processes going such as maintenance and repair. It will use your stored fat for this.

The concept of intermittent fasting is very simple. There are no requirements for a low carbohydrate diet, detoxification, a ketogenic diet and so on. All you need to do to get the best results is be fully compliant during the fasting windows and go for a calorie deficit approach during your eating windows.

It is no wonder that intermittent fasting is so popular these days. There are other health benefits associated with intermittent fasting as well that we will look at in the next chapter. Once you get into the habit of intermittent fasting you will find that it is easy for you to maintain this lifestyle.

Why Intermittent Fasting is better than other Diets

If you choose another type of diet you are constantly thinking about what you can and cannot eat. When people are used to eating whatever they want it can be extremely difficult for them to change to a strict diet and most people do not have the necessary willpower to maintain this for very long. The reason that intermittent fasting works better than other diets is because it requires a lifestyle change and not a complete change of what you eat. You are going to change your eating patterns by introducing an “eat” and “not eat” cycle into your life.

Your focus changes from what you should eat to when you should eat. Although we recommend a calorie deficit approach to eating you do not have to do this. This means that you have a lot more freedom during your eating windows that those people that are on a rigid diet.

Please understand that intermittent fasting is not an easy ride. At first you may find it very difficult to fast for a period of time. You will need to be resilient here and keep on going with your intermittent fasting. After a while it will all become a lot easier.

In the next chapter we will discuss the benefits of intermittent fasting…

You may think that burning fat and weight loss are the only benefit of intermittent fasting. This is not the case, and in this chapter we will make you aware of the other benefits of intermittent fasting.

The main reason for you understanding the various benefits of intermittent fasting is that it will provide you with the motivation to keep going. It is likely that you will experience some tough times with intermittent fasting, especially at the start. With these benefits in mind it will inspire you to push through any tough times and keep going.

Losing Weight

If you were to ask people why they are embarking on an intermittent fasting regime the chances are that almost all of them will tell you that they are doing it to lose weight. There is a lot of evidence to support that intermittent fasting will help most people to lose weight pretty quickly.

There are several reasons why intermittent fasting helps people to lose weight. One of the main reasons is that it helps to boost your metabolism which helps your body to burn fat faster.

Another reason why intermittent fasting is good for weight loss is that you are very likely to decrease the number of calories that you consume every day. This will lower your insulin levels and also help to increase your levels of growth hormone. It will also increase the amount of norepinephrine in your body.

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Introduction

Many people agree that the past should be forgotten, and we should focus on the present and the future. However, it’s easier said than done. Some traumatic and hurtful situations are not easy to let go because of their unprecedented nature. Many times, we think about what could have been, and hot tears just roll down the check. Sometimes, it can be because of the loss of a significant other.

You have been looking forward to building a future together with the person. She was the woman of your dreams. You have been waiting to have someone like her in your life. Eventually, you found her, and you were already planning forever with her. Then, out of nowhere, she was involved in this ghastly accident that took her away from you. Now, you are wondering how life could have been so cruel. You feel unlucky and depressed. The depression and dejection have made it hard for you to give any other person a chance to win your heart.

Indeed, a story such as this is tragic. If it were a Hollywood movie, you could have been shedding tears by now. We all have things like
this in our life. Of course, the intensity and situation are not the same. Nonetheless, we all need healing. We all need to let go of the past and focus on the present while looking forward to the future. This book will equip you with the tools you need on this new journey.

Chapter 1: The Past: It's Gone Forever

In the words of Chuck Palahniuk, “Your past is just a story. And once you realize this, it has no power over you.” These words were spoken some years ago. However, they are still as potent and relevant as the first time they were spoken. If only many people realized this simple but extremely powerful truth, life would have been easier for them. We would have had more individuals that are less cranky and frustrated in the world.

Some people struggle to overcome their past demons. For instance, bad experience from their past relationships often hinder them from building robust and happy relationships in the future. They built a mental wall and find it difficult to trust another person or commit into another relationship. Letting past experiences interfere with our future is detrimental to our growth and mental wellbeing. This chapter will explore some vital things about the past you need to know.

Life is a Journey

This statement might sound like a cliché, but it’s not. You have to realize that life is a journey. In fact, it is an experience we are all having for the first and last time. In other words, no one has been to this world before that is now having another opportunity to live it all over again. Indeed, there are people who are experienced in this world. However, their experiences are all parts of their journey in life.

Life is a progressive journey that begins at conception and ends in death. It is like a movie. However, this movie is your story. You are supposed to play the roles of both a director and an actor in this movie. Playing the role of a director implies that you are in charge of your life. You make plans and set goals that give your life a direction and a sense of purpose. When you are a director in the story of your life, you will take responsibility for your life.

You will not blame others for your predicament. Besides, you will not believe that your success and happiness depends on external factors, including the actions of others. Psychologists refer to this mindset as an internal locus of control. No one will give you the role of a director in your life. You can choose to take it or give it to other Pfactors, including your past. Unfortunately, many people have allowed their past mistakes to dictate their current state.

The role of an actor in the story of your life is not optional. You will play that part whether you like it or not. Even your inactions are still part of acting in that position. In summary, everyone is an actor, but not everyone is a director in the movie of their lives. Your journey in life does not end until the day you have your last breath.

Therefore, you can choose to make the earlier part of the journey (your past) the summary of your story or you can choose to rewrite the script. As long as you are still alive, you still have the right and opportunity to “edit” the script of your story. You can still come out on the other side with pride regardless of what your past looks like.

The Past is an Experience

Life is an experience that is bitter sometimes and pleasant on some occasions. One of the reasons some people find it difficult to let go of the past and start over is that they don’t expect life to be cruel and unpleasant. Well, you have been educated wrongly. Life is like a coin with two sides. There are days when you’ll experience so much happiness and have reasons to smile. However, there will also be days when you don’t want to talk to anyone because you are sad.

We all wish to have things going our way all the time. Nonetheless, life has other plans. For some people, they will have many pleasant events occurring in their lives in the early parts of it but start experiencing the other side of life in the latter period. However, some people have a lot of challenges earlier in life but have better experiences later. This pattern does not mean that you don’t have control over the events that occur in your life.

Your actions and inactions are what produce some situations you experience. However, there are events in your life you cannot control. However, you need to see every situation as an experience. In other words, you have to treat the events occurring in your life as a learning curve. There are cases when something bad happens to you because of your mistake. However, there are times it is because of the negligence or wickedness of others.

Regardless of the source of your frustration, you must take it as an opportunity to learn something new. When you don’t see life as a learning curve, you will keep nagging yourself about your failures and mistakes. You will keep wishing you didn’t go to that party or visit that person, or made that decision. Indeed, things could have been different. Nevertheless, the deed has been done.

So, the only way you can make the best out of your life is to keep the lessons of your past but never keep the emotions. In other words, remember why you failed but stop seeing yourself as a failure because you have a poor performance in the past. If you keep seeing things that way, you will never be able to prepare for future tests.