--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stand up to your obstacles and do…" description: "\"“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You'll find they haven't half the strength you think they have.”\" — Norman Vincent Peale" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/norman-vincent-peale-539_obstacles_stand-up-to-your-obstacles-and-do-someth_544906.jpg" --- # Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them… ![“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You'll find they haven't half the strength you think they have.” quote by Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/norman-vincent-peale-539_obstacles_stand-up-to-your-obstacles-and-do-someth_544906.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/norman-vincent-peale-539_obstacles_stand-up-to-your-obstacles-and-do-someth_544906.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/norman-vincent-peale-539_obstacles_stand-up-to-your-obstacles-and-do-someth_544906.jpg) > ““Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You'll find they haven't half the strength you think they have.”” [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing challenges directly reveals they are often less daunting than imagined, empowering action. **In simple terms:** Obstacles are weaker than they appear. Key Takeaway Confront problems, discover their true size. Themes courage self‑efficacy problem solving Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - career challenges - relationship conflicts - health goals Key Concepts cognitive appraisal resilience Questions to Reflect On - What fear is inflating a problem's size? - How can you test an obstacle's true strength? A Different Perspective Strength perception can be biased; some obstacles are genuinely formidable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) ## Related quotes > [Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/stand-up-to-your-obstacles-and-do-something-about-them/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The first thing to do about an obstacle is simply to stand up to it and not complain about it or whine under it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-carnegie/the-first-thing-to-do-about-an-obstacle-is-simply-to-stand-up-to-it/) [Andrew Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-carnegie/) > [Punk gave me the strength to think, "Yeah, you can stand up and be counted, and do what you want in life, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-diggle/punk-gave-me-the-strength-to-think-yeah-you-can-stand-up-and-be/) [Steve Diggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-diggle/) > [I would say my legs would be my strength. I think I have the perfect legs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystle-d-souza/i-would-say-my-legs-would-be-my-strength-i-think-i-have-the-perfect/) [Krystle D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystle-d-souza/) > [If I didn't go through all the stuff I went through, I don't think I would have developed the kind of strength that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pegula/if-i-didn-t-go-through-all-the-stuff-i-went-through-i-don-t-think-i/) [Jessica Pegula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pegula/) > [I am inspired by your presence in my life. It gives me the strength to think and to do the impossible. It's all because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-matobo/i-am-inspired-by-your-presence-in-my-life-it-gives-me-the-strength-to/) [Frank Matobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-matobo/) > [Living in America and, of course, just being women in general, we've got more strength than we think we do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/living-in-america-and-of-course-just-being-women-in-general-we-ve-got/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Historically and culturally the Mongol women were very strong, they contributed as much as the men to their society, their community. Other than upper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-chen/historically-and-culturally-the-mongol-women-were-very-strong-they/) [Joan Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-chen/) > [I am constantly trying to improve my playing and hope to get more and more mental strength. I think these are two of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-ivanovic/i-am-constantly-trying-to-improve-my-playing-and-hope-to-get-more-and/) [Ana Ivanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-ivanovic/) > [Some folks hesitate to seize additional strength because they think it wrong or dangerous to be a powerful individual. Somehow they have acquired the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernon-howard/some-folks-hesitate-to-seize-additional-strength-because-they-think/) [Vernon Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernon-howard/) > [The crowd lifts you and spurs you on. And I don't get rattled - that's my strength, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/the-crowd-lifts-you-and-spurs-you-on-and-i-don-t-get-rattled-that-s/) [Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/) > [“I have the right to try to overcome the challenges in my own life, she continued fiercely. Who's to say that's not what makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-w-hill/i-have-the-right-to-try-to-overcome-the-challenges-in-my-own-life-she/) [Joey W. Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-w-hill/) > [Have strength in yourself always .think and remember not just what you should do, but also what you want to do. (Ageha , Basara, Vol. 13)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yumi-tamura/have-strength-in-yourself-always-think-and-remember-not-just-what-you/) [Yumi Tamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yumi-tamura/) > [God will give you strength when you think you can’t go on. He will give you joy when you should be discouraged. He can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/god-will-give-you-strength-when-you-think-you-can-t-go-on-he-will/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [“Most of those who think their strength is gone and ask for help from others do not know that the strength that seems to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/most-of-those-who-think-their-strength-is-gone-and-ask-for-help-from/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) ## More by Norman Vincent Peale > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/always-remember-there-is-more-strength-in-you-than-you-ever-realized/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [When we start focusing on things we can do and don't think so much about the things we can't do, things really start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/when-we-start-focusing-on-things-we-can-do-and-don-t-think-so-much/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The only figure in history who endures is Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-only-figure-in-history-who-endures-is-jesus/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I believe absolutely and certainly that, when you die, you will meet your loved ones and know them and be reunited with them, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/i-believe-absolutely-and-certainly-that-when-you-die-you-will-meet/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-cyclone-derives-its-powers-from-a-calm-center-so-does-a-person/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Positive Thinkers get positive results because they appreciate the inestimable value of a day, this day, not the next day, but this day, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/positive-thinkers-get-positive-results-because-they-appreciate-the/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [It takes struggle, a goal and enthusiasm to make a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-takes-struggle-a-goal-and-enthusiasm-to-make-a-champion/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” JOB 22:21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/submit-to-god-and-be-at-peace-with-him-in-this-way-prosperity-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Scatter good will and love and prayers all around, everywhere, and you will be astonished, not only by what it does for other people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/scatter-good-will-and-love-and-prayers-all-around-everywhere-and-you/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Stand up to an obstacle. Just stand up to it, that's all, and don't give way under it, and it will finally break. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/stand-up-to-an-obstacle-just-stand-up-to-it-that-s-all-and-don-t-give/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Never allow sick attitudes to poison your thinking, nor let ill will make you ill. Avoid making your mind sore by that painful rehurting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/never-allow-sick-attitudes-to-poison-your-thinking-nor-let-ill-will/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively. Believe it is possible to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/how-you-think-about-a-problem-is-more-important-than-the-problem/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Explore all 487 Norman Vincent Peale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## More Obstacles quotes > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave people wondering how you did it...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-williams/when-life-gives-you-lemons-make-orange-juice-and-leave-people/) [Jade Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-williams/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [I take up the standpoint that the tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man, and I come back now to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/i-take-up-the-standpoint-that-the-tendency-to-aggression-is-an-innate/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Remember, success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-jenner/remember-success-is-not-measured-by-heights-attained-but-by-obstacles/) [Bruce Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-jenner/) > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Probably the greatest single obstacle to the progress and happiness of the American people lies in the willingness of so many men to invest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/probably-the-greatest-single-obstacle-to-the-progress-and-happiness/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [Despite the reams of paperwork, obstacles worthy of a horse show, and a wait that can rival an elephant's gestation, adoption feels no different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-simon/despite-the-reams-of-paperwork-obstacles-worthy-of-a-horse-show-and-a/) [Scott Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-simon/) > [Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/be-of-good-cheer-do-not-think-of-today-s-failures-but-of-the-success/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) Chris Kirubi > [There is a grand design hidden behind the obstacles , they are inevitable in everybodys life, they are not without purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/there-is-a-grand-design-hidden-behind-the-obstacles-they-are/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) [Browse all 2,245 Obstacles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. 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