Many of us tend to look at a job or opportunity that isn’t quite ideal and think “Oh, that’s  beneath me. I can’t take that job.” But don’t discount those opportunities, because they can often be life-changing experiences.

When I first tried to get a job at Microsoft, I went in the front door like everyone else. And guess what? It didn’t work. They wouldn’t hire me because I didn’t have a high school diploma or a college degree.

But as it is with most large corporations, there’s always a side door and a back door. So I tried them both and eventually landed a temporary contract position as a tester. Now, at Microsoft, being a tester is a very low level position with no glamour. And I was waaaay more qualified for bigger and better things. But I wasn’t worried about that–all I wanted to do was GET MY FOOT IN THE DOOR. I knew that another opportunity would come soon.

And it did. Soon after I was hired, Microsoft got in trouble with the IRS because they had hundreds of contractors who, by the IRS definition, looked just like employees in terms of status  and the nature of their work. Here was my opportunity! I stood up and offered employment to my fellow contract workers at a rate that undercut the agency that  Microsoft wanted us to use. Literally overnight, I hired 35 employees and started my first company. And that same company made me my first million.

But here’s the key–if I hadn’t taken that lowly, ego-crunching testing position I wouldn’t have been in the position to offer a solution to Microsoft’s problem.

What about you? Are you in a position where you feel you’re surrounded by stumbling blocks? Hey, we all run into those from time to time. Nobody knows that better than me. But stumbling blocks are actually stepping stones. And once you change your perspective and see them in this way, you can use them to your advantage.

So this week, make a list of those things which are standing in your way of success. Look them over carefully, then strategize about how you can turn each one of those stumbling blocks into stepping stones. And share some of those stumbling blocks with me, here on my blog.  Finally, remember what the Tibetans say “What you focus on, you become.” In other words, don’t focus on the hurdle, focus on your goal!

Christine Comaford, 7 Figure Business Builder

CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.

NY Times Best Selling Author of Rules for Renegades

Christine Comaford believes every entrepreneur has at least one multi-million dollar business inside of them. Her 7 Figure Business Formula has created over 153 multi-million dollar businesses. Learn the 6 proven steps to YOUR 7 Figure Business here: http://bit.ly/ComafordWebinar