The Joker, in the movie Dark Knight, was an evil man. I mean, he blew up a hospital filled with sick people.
What in the world is as evil as The Joker? Resistance
Why?
Because resistance stops us from achieving greatness. It stops us from writing that article. It stops us from starting that new business. It stops us from doing things that will take us forward.
As Steven Pressfield put it, “Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, disease and erectile dysfunction.”
Back in 2014, I decided I wanted to have the best body ever. I researched what I needed to do. I had to eat right, go to the gym, sleep well, and stay consistent.My plan was ready, and I went to work. I remained committed for 6months, following my workout plan.
Then came the evil resistance.
Out of nowhere, I started doubting myself. I would ask myself questions like, why am I doing this? Is this worth my time? Will I ever get the perfect body?
The more I asked these negative questions, the less I wanted to keep on going.
You know what happened next. I quit. After 6months of consistent workout, I gave up for no good reason.
Resistance had won the battle.
Why did I give up? The question bothered me for some time.
Steven Pressfield had an answer. He said “Resistance arises from within. It is self-generated and self-perpetuated. Resistance is the enemy within.”
I allowed resistance encroach into my mindset, and it wiped out the progress I had made.
However, I’m not alone in this battle against resistance. It affects all sorts of people. Black, white, Africans, Asian, newbies, professionals.
Why?
Because resistance feeds on one of our primary emotion.
Fear.
We fear what we don’t know. We fear because our brain has been programmed to avoid anything we are not sure of.
In my case, I was afraid that I would never get the body I’d imagined.
I was afraid, and resistance used it against me.
And resistance is winning the battle worldwide. Its power is consuming countless people. It’s like the movie World War Z where there is a plague or virus that has devastated half of the world.
However, there are survivors.
People who seem immune from the plague of resistance.
These are the people you read about.The people who are reaching the pinnacle of their career, reaching the peak of their lives. People achieving greatness.
How are they able to survive this monster called resistance?
Mindset. I had a wrong mindset about doing stuff.
I procrastinated.
I always felt like a victim.
I was waiting for my passion to find me.
I always had a negative mindset, and I was living in fear.
What helped me change my mindset? Reading, continuous learning, conscious development, and deep work.
These activities made me aware of resistance. I could feel it. I knew when it was creeping its ugly head in my thought process.
I was also aware of its immense power. It has dealt with people far greater than I am. So, I gave resistance its respect.
We now know what resistance is and how it can limit you. Let’s now look at how you can deal with it; or rather, how I’m dealing with it.
Show up no matter what
When I want to write an article, I’m afraid.
What if no one like it? What if it sucks?
But, it’s better to have an article that sucks than not having an article.
And for you to have articles, good or bad, you must sit down and write.
From the beginning think of it as a marathon rather than a sprint
No matter the endeavour you seek to achieve, time is a factor that remains constant.
Writing, singing or building a business all take time.
So, if you know that anything good takes time, you’ll have the patience to perceive even though you haven’t gained immediate success.
Don’t give up
It’s easy to give up. I know. I have given up numerous times. And resistance loves it.
The best way to beat resistance is to keep on going. Keep on doing what you are doing and soon enough, the activity becomes a habit. Resistance hates habits.
Always think like a 13year old
When I was 13, I could do whatever I like, creatively I mean.
But as soon as adulthood hit me, doubt came along with it.
If I could back in time and pick something from my thirteen-year-old self, I’ll pick experimentation.
The desire to try new things will help you beat resistance.
Surround yourself with the right people
Yes, people, good people.
They are everywhere.
They are there to help.
They will help only if you reach out.
So the next time resistance is knocking at your door, tell your friend or a family member to help you open it.
These are the ways I’m dealing with resistance as a writer.
Some might make sense to you; others might not. But the key takeaway from this article is that resistance is real.
It is everywhere.
It can lead to unhappiness and depression.
But it can be contained.
Find out what works for you and stick to it.
