Many people misinterpret barriers. They come across application fees and complain, they encounter additional requirements and give up, they face unpaid projects and walk away. However, successful individuals perceive these barriers as opportunities in disguise.
Think about the traditional college application process. When a school introduces an extra essay requirement or a specialized project, numerous potential applicants drop out immediately. “Too much work,” they say, and close their browser. Yet, this reaction paves the way for committed applicants willing to invest the effort.
This filtering process occurs everywhere. Once you comprehend it, you will never view barriers the same way again.
Let me illustrate a perfect example—the journey to becoming a Major League Baseball player:
- 2,000,000 kids play in little league
- 455,000 make it to high school baseball
- 25,000 play in college
- 1,500 get drafted by MLB teams
Even being drafted does not guarantee success. At any given moment, only 750 players wear a Major League uniform.
The individuals who reach the Big Leagues are not just the most talented, they are the ones who overcame every barrier in their path. They attended 6 AM practices. They maintained emotional stability under pressure. They avoided trouble. They forged strong relationships with teammates and coaches. They handled the challenging transition to professional baseball.
Each of these barriers eliminated more players, even those with high levels of talent. However, for the players who persisted, each barrier meant fewer competitors left standing.
Consider how many barriers separate you from your next opportunity. Each of these obstacles serves one purpose—to eliminate your competition before the real evaluation even begins. Every requirement that gives you pause is silently eliminating thousands of others from the race.
