Resistance

We all know the feeling when we have something that we need to do, but don’t have the motivation to do it. It could be a looming work deadline, homework, delivering bad news, exercising, etc. We are constantly playing a game where we are making excuses to delay the inevitable, and we spend more time rationalizing those excuses than just taking action in the first place. It is funny how our mind simultaneously sparks hesitancy while at the same time knowing that if we just do what we need to do we will feel a lot better after it is over. At its root, what is resistance? Resistance manifests in a number of ways including procrastination, fear of failure, or self-doubt. I think it is the internal force that keeps you from showing your best self. It keeps you from doing your best work. It keeps you from taking risks and making mistakes. Without risks and mistakes, achievements aren’t worth anything.

In Steven Pressfield’s book, the War of Art, he guides the reader through the process of conquering your inner creative battles and beating procrastination. While the book is specific to creative professionals (artists, musicians, writers, etc.) the principles of his book are universal.

“Procrastination is the most common manifestation of resistance because it’s the easiest to rationalize. We don’t tell ourselves, “I’m never going to write my symphony.” Instead, we say, “I am going to write my symphony; I’m just going to start tomorrow.”

When it comes to being the best version of yourself, I think that tomorrow is your worst enemy. Tomorrow is the root of all surface-level rationalization to not reach what you set out to achieve. Tomorrow turns into, next week, then next month, then next year, until your goals slowly dissolve away.

It is easy to say that all you need to do is quit playing mind games and take action now. It is more nuanced than that though. In my journey to fight resistance there are habits I try to employ every day.

1. Understand that feeling resistance is normal. It affects everyone and is impersonal and universal in nature.

You aren’t the only one that struggles with resistance. Tear back the veil that you are the only person who on occasion sabotages your goals and dreams by procrastinating. The fact that you recognize that it is holding you back is half the battle. Self-realization is the launching point for self-actualization.

2. Know your motivation well, and revisit it constantly.

I think you are 100 times more likely to encounter resistance if you are not clear on what is motivating your goal. Why is it important? How will it make you or others better? What is the desired end result? Who are you proving wrong and why?

3. Have a set time and place.

I am more likely to get that “thing” done if I have a set time and place. I would not have finished my doctorate without a regimented schedule where I would drive to the office and work on my schoolwork and dissertation every day from 5 am to 7 am. The same goes for my blog writing, curriculum building, reading, and praying. I am motivated to work out every day because I have set aside 45 minutes during my lunch hour when I go to the gym. I am uncompromising with my regimented time of self-betterment.

4. Try not to think in terms of extremes.

One of the ways resistance manifests is by making us think in extremes. We revert to worst-case scenario endpoints and that automatically sets you up for stress and anxiety. Do you overgeneralize? For example, I have faced rejection in one line of my career multiple times which caused me to think that I didn’t stand a chance anymore. However, that overgeneralization prevented me from exploring different avenues for the longest time. Once I got out of that mindset, I was able to start working on other areas of my life and grow in ways I never that possible. When you stop thinking in extremes and develop a more balanced way of looking at life, the emotions you generate also become easier to manage.?

Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands resistance.

- Steven Pressfield, The War of Art