#obstacle

• Adversity — An unfavorable, adverse, or difficult situation; a gathering of harsh circumstances, hardships, sufferings, or major obstacles hindering the natural evolution of an individual or community. In modern psychology, it represents the matrix of external or structural stressors that test human resilience and character.
• Self-handicap — A barrier, difficulty, or impediment that an individual or a group creates or imposes upon themselves, consciously or unconsciously; a practical manifestation of the self-handicapping strategy. In the psychology of success, it represents a structural defensive mechanism whereby a person creates beforehand justifications or real obstacles (such as procrastination, lack of sleep, or overcommitting) to protect their self-esteem in case of an eventual failure.