Find the small obstacles blocking your progress

Read time: 4 minutes

A few weekends ago, my family and I went out for a quick 3-mile run, as we usually do.

We drove to a new location we hadn’t run before—a change of scenery we were excited about—but it was also during nap time. So, we were praying our son would sleep in the stroller, which he did.

After getting our shoes tied, warming up, and finally settling into a nice pace, I noticed a small rock in my shoe. So, I thought to myself:

“I must’ve picked it up when I put my shoes on. Maybe it was stuck to my sock and I didn’t notice. Maybe it’ll move just enough to not slow me down if I flick my toes at it.”

For a brief moment, it worked. But it didn’t last long.

Who knew something so small could create enough friction to derail the momentum I had.

And as frustrating as it was to stop, find, and address this obstacle, I’m recognizing an important lesson from this moment that we can all learn from:

What if the obstacle in front of us isn’t as obvious as we thought? What if the pebble in our shoe is the real reason for our lack of progress?

Here’s what I mean.

We all focus on the big, obvious obstacles in front of us:

• The clutter we haven’t dealt with
• The debt we haven’t paid off
• The business we haven’t started
• The career promotion we haven’t received
• The health goals we haven’t reached
• The relationship we haven’t built

These are visible roadblocks that are easy to blame. And so we do.

But the pebble is the small, silent enemy that holds you back:

• The emotion holding you hostage and attached to your stuff
• The fixed mindset you maintain
• The bad habit you refuse to break
• The self-limiting story you tell yourself
• The negative people you allow to drain your energy

The pebble is easy to ignore. Seemingly insignificant. However, every day, these subtle frictions add up.

You wake up, determined to move forward, but end up stuck in the same place because of the invisible obstacles standing in your way. It’s frustrating. It feels like you’re doing everything right, but something always seems to be slowing you down.

So, what’s the pebble in your shoe?

Why the Pebble Matters

It’s easy to spend all our energy focusing on the “big” problems.

We tell ourselves, “Once I tackle the clutter, get the promotion, or finish that project, everything will fall into place.”

But here’s the thing: the small, often overlooked obstacles are the ones that keep us from making meaningful progress.

Think about the last time you had something stuck in your shoe while walking or running errands. It’s annoying, right? Even though you can’t see it, that small annoyance creates discomfort and slows you down.

The same principle applies to our emotions, mindsets, and habits. They’re harder to see, but they add up and create enough friction to slow us down. The problem is, we tend to focus our time and energy on conquering the obvious obstacles while ignoring the “pebble” in our shoe that’s tripping us up at every step.

That’s why the pebble matters. If we don’t address these less obvious obstacles, we’ll keep getting stuck in the same patterns.

Removing the Pebble Blocking Your Progress

If this issue is resonating because you’re starting to notice the pebble in your shoe, here are a few tips to help you remove it: 

1. Identify the pebble: Start by asking yourself: What’s the one thing that’s causing the most friction in my life right now? It could be a habit, a belief, a story you’re holding onto, or even a relationship that’s draining your energy. The more you can pinpoint what’s causing the most resistance, the easier it becomes to move forward. Pay attention to the emotional or mental obstacles you constantly bump into.
2. Address the root cause: Now that you’ve identified the pebble, dig deeper. What’s the root cause of this obstacle? Is it tied to fear, limiting beliefs, or old emotional baggage? Sometimes the pebble is more than just an annoying habit or mindset—it might be something bigger. Acknowledge the underlying issue and take proactive steps to address it.
3. Take action (even if small): Taking action doesn’t always mean making a massive leap. It could be a small step, such as changing the way you talk to yourself, journaling your emotions each evening, or starting a five-minute decluttering session. The key is to take the first step. Progress is made in small, consistent actions. So start somewhere, even if it feels insignificant. That’s how momentum is created.
4. Repeat and build momentum: Remember, removing the pebble isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a process. You’ll need to repeat these steps and continue removing the small obstacles as they come up. The more you tackle them, the easier it becomes to keep moving forward. Over time, this consistent action creates a powerful ripple effect, driving bigger changes in your life.
   
   

The Bottom Line

The pebble will always be the less obvious obstacle on your path. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s the subtle friction that quietly derails your momentum.

Now, I’m not suggesting that we should downplay the bigger, more obvious obstacles. That would be unwise. Instead, it’s about recognizing one simple truth:

You can’t conquer your mountain until you remove your pebble.

Today, we have an opportunity to start that process. Right now. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment.

Start with one small step today to address that friction, and see how quickly it clears the way for bigger progress on your journey. You’ll be amazed at how much more focused and energized you’ll feel once you remove the less obvious obstacles that have been slowing you down.

So, what’s the pebble in your shoe?

What small thing can you address today to get back on track?

That’s all for this week.

See you next Sunday.