“Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who doesn’t start a venture? Then you know what Resistance is.” – Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
Resistance is the voice that comes to stop you whenever you’re about to engage in your Most Important Work.
Resistance is powerful. Just when I’m getting some momentum on a project or business idea, it comes to me. It says,
Are you sure you’re doing this right? Maybe you should stop and get more information before you take action.
Sleep in a little longer. You deserve it.
Wait until you’re inspired before you start writing.
You can’t get a guest post on a big name blog because your blog is so small.
There’s no point in writing unless it’s going to be really good.
Building affiliate websites won’t make you any money – why are you putting so much time and effort into it?
Sometimes Resistance is obvious in it’s desire to keep you away from your Important Work. Like when it tells me-
No one wants to read what you write.
You might make a mistake. Mistakes are scary and should be avoided.
Check your email for the 100th time before you start writing.
Sometimes Resistance is more insidious and makes me wonder if my ambitions are misguided. It tells me things like-
You’re already a doctor – why are you bothering with all this silly business stuff? Being a doctor is good enough.
You’re supposed to be making money with all your business ideas but instead you’re spending it to get things started – are you sure it’s worth it?
Don’t you think it’s selfish to spend so much time on your own projects instead of focusing on other people?
Resistance is so tricky that it tricks me into believing it.
When Resistance is powerful if will make you procrastinate endlessly before actually getting something started. When it’s insidious it will make you doubt your goals and capabilities.
“The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.” –Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
The solution to Resistance? Hear it, but do your Work anyway.
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Photo by mararie
What rings loud and clear is – Do It Anyway. Whether it’s due to resistance or fear, confront it and Do It Anyway.
Yup, and it’s easy to say but harder to do in practice! I think the resolve to continue even when things are difficult or unclear is the most important predictor of succeeding in whatever your practice is.
I’m a writer who often doesn’t write and a painter who often doesn’t paint. Resistance and I are well acquainted. We have our power struggles but when I notice resistance getting in my way, negotiations are over and it’s time to give it the old heave ho. Or as you so eloquently put it, “Do it anyway.”
I was a writer who never wrote until I started this blog a couple years ago… I still don’t write as much as I would like to but I’m glad I’m at least on the right path. So true that you need to avoid negotiations with Resistance and just get the job done!
Nice! Yes, I think it’s important to have dreams that are so big, they seem impossible to achieve. but with faith and hard work, they will become a reality. I am trying to live my life in this way. and hey! “no one want to read what you write” <—don't ever believe that one! I am so glad to know you and also to be subscribed to your blog. I think all your posts are so interesting and I really like the way you think. It's very encouraging and inspiring for me!! Thank you~
Thanks Joyce! Even I feel insecure sometimes! Glad you like following along my blog 🙂