"Hey, what's up, everybody? This is Drew, and I want to welcome you back to "Learn How to See Better," the only podcast that will improve your vision the longer you listen.

Today, I want to test your vision a little bit. I want to see if you can decipher whether the obstacles you see in your path on your journey are really what you think they are. Those things you perceive as obstacles may very well be nothing more than illusions.

One of the things I've observed in my life is that time and time again, there's truth in the statement that breakthroughs typically come from break-withs. This may seem like a simple statement, but when you give it some thought, you can recognize that, in many instances, breakthroughs come from the point at which we decide to cut off or separate ourselves from influences in our lives—whether they be people, environments, or things.

If you think about anything in life that's held you back, it may feel like a ball and chain. The first step is identifying what that is. The breakthrough often comes from that severance, that breakaway point from the ball and chain—the anchor that is holding you down or back.

When you take all of this into account, you’ll see that there has to be a change in perspective—a shift in your paradigm, the way you look at and see the world.

For example, if you're a hammer and think like a hammer, everything in the world looks like a nail. A hammer drives nails into wood. However, if you can shift your perspective and think like a screwdriver or a different tool, the world around you is perceived differently.

If I haven't lost you in the toolbox at this point, you can understand that, with a certain point of view, you may feel faced with a massive, unmovable obstacle. But when you really think about it, you can reframe that obstacle and ask yourself: Is what I see really there? Is it really an obstacle, or is it an illusion?

An illusion is something not real—false evidence appearing real. This acronym is often used to describe fear. So, the obstacles we see can be connected to our fears.

Where do obstacles show up in our lives? If we can observe and see patterns where these obstacles consistently appear, that may give us a clue as to where fear resides.

Some people may see gaining their health as an obstacle. Is it truly an obstacle, or is it an illusion? And is there any fear involved? I'm not trying to categorize everyone, but I’m offering scenarios for thought.

Maybe you're a talented athlete looking to advance to the next level, and you see obstacles that seem bigger, faster, stronger, or better. Is that an obstacle, or is it an illusion? Is it just the fear of your ability to keep up, compete, or step up?

We can manufacture obstacles in various areas of our lives—health, wealth, relationships, job promotions.

The question is: Is it an obstacle or is it an illusion?

Sometimes, we need to step back and reflect on our view of the world. Are those obstacles clues to where fear exists in our lives?

Because action cures fear, intelligence can cure fear, and truth can eradicate fear. Recognizing that many obstacles we perceive in our lives are actually illusions—just fear—can empower us to smash through them.

So, what are we afraid of? Fear of failure, rejection, or how we're perceived? This can get deep. In those moments, if you're courageous enough to step outside yourself and observe the situation as a disinterested third party, you can start to identify what's really happening.

If you can grapple with your perceived problem, you might be able to think from a solution-oriented mindset. There's an age-old saying: The same thinking that got you into the problem won't get you out.

We need to look for opportunities to shift our perspective and re-evaluate things by introducing the idea that what we see may not be real.

Let that sink in. I just wanted to share these thoughts about obstacles and illusions. When we see challenges in our lives, what are we really perceiving? It's an interesting concept to ponder.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them with me. In the meantime, thank you for listening and for opening your mind to consider this concept. Maybe you can take it into your future days and evaluate your experiences from a different perspective. It might just empower you to test those waters.

Is it really real? You might be surprised.

​Here's to your success and the building of momentum in all that you pursue. Thanks for listening!"