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Life is full of problems. That’s just how it is. Yet, sometimes, it feels like we’re always running into a wall or falling. Things never let up. Maybe you’re trying to get a new job, learn a new skill, or deal with a hard time at home. It’s easy to feel stuck, frustrated, or like you want to give up. You might think that some people are naturally better at handling things.

But that’s not the whole story.

Dr. Ric Vandett has tips for overcoming hurdles in Hurdles: Surviving Difficult Times, a self-help book about overcoming life obstacles.

There’s a simple, powerful tool that anyone can use to get past these roadblocks: practice. It’s not a magic trick. It’s about putting in steady work and not giving up. This article will show you how to use practice to get better. It gives you clear and straightforward tips for overcoming hurdles, one step at a time.

Getting Better with Practice

To use these tips, you should know why practice works. Practice is about doing something repeatedly. This helps you get better over time. When you practice, your brain makes new connections. This makes actions feel more natural and easier to do. This is how you see improvement through consistent practice.

Think about learning to play a guitar. At first, your fingers feel clumsy. The sounds are not good. With practice, your fingers know where to go. You get better at hearing the music. What was hard becomes easy. This is how practice helps you with any hurdle.

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Tip 1: Name Your Hurdles and Take Small Steps

First, know what your hurdle is. Don’t just say that you feel bad at your job. Instead, name a specific problem. Are you scared of talking in front of people? Is a work project too big? Are you trying to eat healthier but keep falling back into bad habits?

After you name the hurdle, break it into smaller parts.

In public speaking, for example, a small step might be writing the first part of your talk.

Then, practice making eye contact.

Breaking it down makes the problem feel easier to handle.

Tip 2: Practice with a Purpose

Practice is more than just doing something over and over. You should practice with a goal. This is called “deliberate practice.”

It means you focus on what you need to improve, pushing yourself to do better until a point before reevaluating things and making a new goal.

If you are learning a new language, for example, practice might mean focusing on words you have trouble with. You should use these new words in a conversation.

This type of practice helps you gain mastery through repeated practice much faster.

Tip 3: Set Small Goals and Watch Your Progress

Setting clear goals will help you stay motivated. Having a deadline can be really beneficial to self-improvement. Goals should be specific and time-oriented.

Don’t just say that you want to get better at talking. Instead, affirm yourself that you will be practicing talking for 15 minutes a day with whomever and about whatever.

It’s also essential to track your progress. Don’t just grope about in the dark. As such, keep a journal or use a simple checklist. This lets you see how far you have come. Seeing proof of your practice leading to personal growth will help you keep going.

Tip 4: Ask for Feedback

Feedback is key to getting better. It shows you what you do well and where you can improve. It’s also an indication that you really want to be better.

Don’t be afraid to ask a friend, coworker, or teacher for feedback. Listen to what they say.

When someone gives you advice, try not to get upset. Listen to their ideas and think about how you can use them in your practice.

This is how you develop skills through regular practice and overcome times when you feel stuck.

Tip 5: Be Patient and Don’t Give Up

Getting over hurdles takes time. It needs effort and patience. Don’t think about when you’ll overcome them, only that you will, whether it be days or months. The time will come.

There will be times when you feel bad or your progress is slow. In these moments, it’s most important not to give up.

See setbacks as chances to learn, not as failures.

Trust that your hard work will eventually pay off. Achievingsuccess through practice is like running a race, not a quick dash.

Tip 6: Notice Your Small Wins

While you work toward your broader goals, be sure to celebrate the small wins whenever and however possible. This also helps in grounding you in relation to where you are in life.

Remember that each small step forward is a sign of the tremendous effort that you’ve exerted. Noticing these small victories gives you more motivation to keep going.

Did you finish a week of practice? Did you do a small part of your goal well?

Notice these achievements. They build your drive to practice and help you get over bigger hurdles.

Tip 7: Change Your Practice If Needed

What works for one person may not work for you. It’s good to be flexible. Try new ways of practicing. Look for new books or guides. Be open to changing your plan based on what you learn.

If your practice feels old or is not working, try something new. Talk to others who faced the same problem. This process of trying, checking, and changing is how you keep getting better.

Tip 8: Rest Is Part of the Practice

Practicing hard is good, but you also need to rest. Your brain and body need time to recover and grow. If you don’t take the time to slow down, you won’t be able to commit to and finish your goals. You’d be too overworked and tired by then.

Taking breaks is not a sign of being lazy. It is a key part of getting better. During rest, your mind can store what you have learned.

Make sure you get enough sleep and take a day off. This helps you avoid feeling burned out and lets you come back stronger.

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Overcoming hurdles is a part of life. While some people may have a head start, it is the simple act of practice that helps us face problems and achieve our goals. By using these tips, you can clear the path ahead and grow as a person. The secret to getting better is not to avoid the struggle, but to commit to practice.

For more tips on how to handle challenges, check out the book, Hurdles: Surviving Difficult Times by Dr. Ric Vandett.