"How do you handle the obstacles that get in the way of achieving your goals?” This was one question I asked many Silicon Valley business people that I interviewed a few years ago.

The day I asked this question to Cesar Plata, the networking guru of www.InfoBayArea.com, he seemed puzzled. He paused for a moment, looked at me, and then questioned me with one word, "Obstacles?” I nodded yes and remained silent waiting for his answer.

"As with anyone launching a startup business," the trail blazing entrepreneur said, "I have endured many personal and financial sacrifices and struggles. I did not see these efforts as barriers; I accepted them as learning experiences. The way I see it, they were simply unmet challenges.”

"Unmet challenges?” I asked curiously wanting to know more.

"Yes,” he said.” When something doesn't work right, you try another way and another until you achieve the results you want. In my mind there are only unmet challenges.”

Oh, I get it, I thought. You just keep on going until you reach your goal. You stay focused and keep on trying until you succeed.

Unmet challenges: Cesar opened up a whole new world for me on how to handle my goals. Forget obstacles. Stomp out the word, roadblock. Break away from fear. Block out, stuck. Don't say, "I can't do it.” Instead I must say, "That step didn't work, I'll try the next one.”

Each time I work on my goals now, I relax, take a deep breath and just do it. Every step of the way along life's journey I know that I will handle those unmet challenges with ease. Thanks to Cesar I meet more of my goals now and look forward to handling those unmet challenges.