A Force From Within

Have you often struggled to reach your desires or goals despite your best intentions?

Perhaps not because you lack conviction, but because every time you attempted something new, something unforeseen prevented it. What's ultimately at work here is your desire to change is hitting up against an opposing force that you likely lack little awareness of, or how it operates and manifests. And the kicker is that this force comes from within you.

At some point, you have likely reached a moment where you decided to commit to a new idea or action. Perhaps you entertained and volleyed excuses for too long and finally decided that things do not have to be as they have been and committed to doing something new, scary, or just different. Some everyday examples might include:

• A work idea you want to pitch to innovate or improve a business outcome

• A wellness regime you know you need to do to improve your mind or body

• A calling to start a business, change careers, or pursue creative interests

• A financial goal to get out of debt, save more, or invest in the next big thing

• An act to kick a bad habit or break free from addiction.

These are all noble acts that serve to better your current life situation. But, additionally, these things are challenging to achieve. All require a consistent demonstration of courage, passion, discipline, and sacrifice to reach the goals. And if you exhibit these behaviors consistently by sheer will and force, some type of adversity may still arise along the way to attempt to derail your efforts. In fact, it is not merely possible but 100% guaranteed.

Why is this? Because the achievement of any goal that produces personal growth will always attract "Resistance" along the way.

So what exactly is Resistance? According to Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art, Resistance is an invisible and universal force with a sole aim—to keep things as they are and to keep you where you are. If you are trying to positively change your life or circumstance, then have no doubt that Resistance is well aware and has your number. It looms in the shadows of any worthy cause waiting to strike and sabotage your efforts. And while there are no tangible signs of Resistance's presence, it can be detected both from within and around you…if you know what to look for.

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

To stand a chance at persevering when Resistance appears, you must first understand its characteristics.

Resistance is internal. You create and manifest it. Your fixed mindset can prevent you from seeing your life or a situation differently. Or it can be the limiting beliefs or narratives you tell yourselves— "I can't...I don't have time… I'm not good enough... I'm not smart enough... I'll fail… I'd need this thing to happen first... It's too late... It's not possible for me".

Resistance is insidious. It will reason with you to deceive you. It will convince you that you can't achieve this and cite a long list of ALL the previous times you've failed to make its case.

Resistance is implacable. It will always persist, despite your best effort to defeat it. Whether it appears as a solid and overwhelming force or minuscule and nagging, it has a permanent front-row seat on your journey.

Resistance is impersonal. It doesn't care about where you come from, the good things you've done, the injustice you've endured, your social class, your beliefs, your values, or anything about you. Instead, it is an impartial force that simply seeks to stunt your growth.

Resistance never sleeps. If you manage to successfully achieve one of your goals, congratulations! You've scored a point over Resistance. However, it's important to remember that you and Resistance are playing an infinity game. Know that there will always be a rematch.

Resistance plays for keeps. It shows no mercy, and the stakes couldn't be any higher—your ability to become the version of yourself. It seeks to defeat you at each and every turn to prevent self-actualization.

Resistance is fueled by fear. Your thoughts and emotions are its catalysts. Distress, dismay, anxiety, trepidation, worry, and dread. These serve as an endless power supply to Resistance.

Resistance is most powerful at the finish line. It knows when you are on the cusp of achieving your goal (often before you even realize it), and that's when it hits you with everything it's got—the total onslaught.

Resistance recruits allies. If achieving your goal requires distancing or removing yourself from others or a hostile environment, Resistance will co-opt nearby parties to keep you in the swamp with them.

Resistance and procrastination. Procrastination is the most common and clever form of Resistance. It doesn't rule out that you won't ever achieve your goals; you're just going to start on another date (which then becomes a later date, followed by an even later date, and so on)

Resistance is undoubtedly a powerful force. If you didn't know what it was previously, you likely have encountered one of the manifestations listed above. It's a special kind of adversity because it is created, nurtured, and powered by you. It will tell you whatever is necessary to have you give up and abandon your dreams. It will be emboldened by your thoughts and control outcomes for as long as you let it. But knowing how Resistance operates and manifests itself is the first step to understanding how to combat it and mitigate its destructive tendencies over personal growth.

Resistance can be beaten. In the simplest terms, this is accomplished by doing the work. Whatever your goal is—starting a business, running a marathon, writing a book, living a healthy lifestyle—it starts and ends with showing up and doing the work to achieve your goal. Consistently, each and every day. But you can't just go blindly into the work. You need to be prepared, you need to practice a positive mindset, you need to stay disciplined, and you need to stay focused on the goal. You may also have to refine your approach, develop new skills, learn from others, or even get a coach to help get you to where you want to be.

If you falter along the way, know that it's nothing more than Resistance at work. It's along for the ride, and the moment that it sees an opening, it won't hesitate to act. Highs and lows are to be expected on your journey. You can get knocked down—so expect to get knocked down! But getting back up is what truly matters. Showing up and doing the work is what truly matters. The moment you give up, Resistance has achieved victory and has robbed you of your potential.

Persistence is the key to defeating Resistance.

Don't relinquish that unlived life that is waiting for you. It's yours for the taking. Are you going to continue to let yourself stand in the way?

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