--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't really think in terms of…" description: "\"I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest obstacle is always myself.\" — Steve Earle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/steve-earle-2893_adversity_i-don-t-really-think-in-terms-of-obstacl_1059488.png" --- # I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest… ![“I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest obstacle is always myself.” quote by Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/steve-earle-2893_adversity_i-don-t-really-think-in-terms-of-obstacl_1059488.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/steve-earle-2893_adversity_i-don-t-really-think-in-terms-of-obstacl_1059488.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/steve-earle-2893_adversity_i-don-t-really-think-in-terms-of-obstacl_1059488.png) > “I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest obstacle is always myself.” [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker sees internal struggles as the primary barrier, suggesting self‑imposed limits are greater than external obstacles. **In simple terms:** Self is the biggest obstacle. Key Takeaway Work on self‑awareness and mindset. Themes self‑reflection personal growth mental barriers Mood introspective motivated Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - coaching - therapy - goal setting - performance improvement Key Concepts psychology self‑discipline mindset Questions to Reflect On - What internal habits hold you back? - How can you transform self‑criticism into constructive motivation? A Different Perspective External factors can still impact outcomes; balance internal work with external planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Obstacle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacle/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) ## Related quotes > [The biggest obstacle facing girls is education, education, education. There are too many kids who think high school is a pit stop to fame…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/the-biggest-obstacle-facing-girls-is-education-education-education/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [The biggest obstacle I've had to overcome is loving myself 100%. And that's still a battle. I love myself, but sometimes you can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-epps/the-biggest-obstacle-i-ve-had-to-overcome-is-loving-myself-100-and/) [Mike Epps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-epps/) > [“have come to the conclusion that the greatest obstacle to getting what we really want in life is not the other party, as difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ury/have-come-to-the-conclusion-that-the-greatest-obstacle-to-getting/) [William Ury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ury/) > [The biggest obstacle to wealth is fear. People are afraid to think big, but if you think small, you'll only achieve small things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-harv-eker/the-biggest-obstacle-to-wealth-is-fear-people-are-afraid-to-think-big/) [T. Harv Eker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-harv-eker/) > [Believe it or not, the biggest obstacle for a business owner with any size business is the internal response to the question - 'Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-l-johnson/believe-it-or-not-the-biggest-obstacle-for-a-business-owner-with-any/) [Darren L Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-l-johnson/) > [The misery that smothers you is temporary...Get your mind right, prioritize your life, and change the way you look at things. Your biggest obstacle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-misery-that-smothers-you-is-temporary-get-your-mind-right/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Often the biggest obstacle in meeting life’s challenges is actually our own fear of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/often-the-biggest-obstacle-in-meeting-life-s-challenges-is-actually/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [Pursue the obstacle It will set you free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nepo/pursue-the-obstacle-it-will-set-you-free/) [Mark Nepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nepo/) > [With every obstacle that has happened to me in my life, my brain immediately says, ‘Where is the hidden blessing?’ In starting a business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-blakely/with-every-obstacle-that-has-happened-to-me-in-my-life-my-brain/) [Sara Blakely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-blakely/) > [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/) > [Art thrives on obstacles. The bigger the obstacle, the better the drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/art-thrives-on-obstacles-the-bigger-the-obstacle-the-better-the-drama/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [I've been able to overcome obstacles that would fold most people over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-mir/i-ve-been-able-to-overcome-obstacles-that-would-fold-most-people-over/) [Frank Mir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mir/) > [Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats. Yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/obstacles-are-necessary-for-success-because-in-selling-as-in-all/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [An obstacle is often a stepping stone... Things that appear to be obstacles are often helpful in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/an-obstacle-is-often-a-stepping-stone-things-that-appear-to-be/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [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/) ## More by Steve Earle > [When you're really bummed out, the last thing you want to hear is up-tempo and positive. And it lets you know that you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/when-you-re-really-bummed-out-the-last-thing-you-want-to-hear-is-up/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/america-s-criminal-justice-system-isn-t-known-for-rehabilitation-i-m/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [I love theater. I go all the time. It's one of the reasons I moved to New York. But I understand that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/i-love-theater-i-go-all-the-time-it-s-one-of-the-reasons-i-moved-to/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [You know, I'm not comfortable with people whose politics are static in a democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/you-know-i-m-not-comfortable-with-people-whose-politics-are-static-in/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [I had everything I need to get me killed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/i-had-everything-i-need-to-get-me-killed/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [Back then, the business depended on bohemians. ... They needed Kristofferson and Roger Miller ..It was the tail end of something...the last Tin Pan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/back-then-the-business-depended-on-bohemians-they-needed/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [I think the singer/songwriter genre is going to be like bluegrass and jazz. You can make a living at it, but it's not part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/i-think-the-singer-songwriter-genre-is-going-to-be-like-bluegrass-and/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [I've been a serial husband, and I've done it badly every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/i-ve-been-a-serial-husband-and-i-ve-done-it-badly-every-time/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [Every day on Earth is another chance to get it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/every-day-on-earth-is-another-chance-to-get-it-right/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [The singer-songwriter has always played music that was stylistically rooted in the '30s and the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. But the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/the-singer-songwriter-has-always-played-music-that-was-stylistically/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [Sonnets are guys writing in English, imitating an Italian song form. It was a form definitely sung as often as it was recited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/sonnets-are-guys-writing-in-english-imitating-an-italian-song-form-it/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [When I write something simple I'm always really proud of it. When you write something that simple with that much air in it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/when-i-write-something-simple-i-m-always-really-proud-of-it-when-you/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [My spiritual system is 12-step programs. That's the only one I've ever had. I didn't have one before that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/my-spiritual-system-is-12-step-programs-that-s-the-only-one-i-ve-ever/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [“As he left room 817, Nguyen turned for one final look before he allowed the soldiers to enter and remove the body. Nguyen thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/as-he-left-room-817-nguyen-turned-for-one-final-look-before-he/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [The drama teacher that I had in high school, back in Texas, was the only teacher who didn't kick me out of his class.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/the-drama-teacher-that-i-had-in-high-school-back-in-texas-was-the/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) [Explore all 146 Steve Earle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) ## More Adversity quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [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/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) S.E. SEVER > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't really think in terms of obstacles. 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