Any time that we strive to move forward we will meet with resistance.
It doesn’t matter what it is, it can be anything:
A fitness goal
Personal development
Entrepreneurship
Spiritual growth
Decluttering or spring cleaning
Writing a book
Starting or finishing a project of any kind
The list is endless, really. Anything that we decide to undertake to better ourselves, our relationships, our environment, etc. will bring about resistance. The resistance can be internal or external.
I’ve mentioned before that often I will get sick when I really start to make headway in something. A recent decision of mine has been to push through any illness that comes my way and it’s proven very beneficial because the illnesses have been so minor that they weren’t able to keep me from my goals.
As I said, resistance can take many forms and since illness has proved futile I have been running into different forms of resistance lately. Last week was a prime example of different types of resistance attempting to get in the way of my progress and success. Relationship conflicts, blog issues galore, life events, emotions, negative thoughts, unexpected commitments, etc.
(Speaking of blog issues, if anyone has any ideas why the very top of each post is so crazy, I’d love to hear your ideas.)
I have found a great tool to help work through the battle of resistance! It’s a powerful little book that really inspires you to get on your feet and knock resistance on it’s back. It’s not a long book but it took me a while to get through it because I kept getting so inspired to put it down and do something to beat resistance!
The book is called Do The Work and it’s by Steven Pressfield. You’ve probably heard of him because so many of you have recommended his book The War of Art to me! Sorry, I still haven’t read it (my “to read” list keeps growing and growing!) but Do The Work is the sequel – and what a sequel it is!
I truly believe that every entrepreneur should have a copy of this book and keep it close. I’ve got it on my ipod stored on my free kindle app. The kindle version is on sale at amazon now so go grab it! I hope you will find it at least half as inspiring as I have found it!
Your turn. Have you read the book? Please share in the comments! Have you felt the resistance lately? Please share how you’ve overcome! Do you think this post will inspire others? Please tweet, share, vote, etc! Thank you!
To Your Success,
photo credit: disrupsean
Thank you for reading! I'm Stacy, the owner of this blog. You can learn more about me here.
I'd love to hear from you, please share your thoughts or questions in the comments section.
You can get free bonus chapters from my novel Deception!
Website: → Stacy's Fiction
Connect
Fight the Resistance « Grow With Stacy…
We all face resistance of one kind or another when we set out to better ourselves, our relationships or the world around us. We can defeat resistance and send it fleeing….
Fight the Resistance « Grow With Stacy…
We all face resistance when we attempt to better ourselves, our relationships, the world around us. But we can beat resistance and come out stronger!…
You’re absolutely right Stacy. Whenever we go through changes we are going into some “unknown” – that’s what sparks uncertainty, fear, or resistance.
“The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome.†– Steven Pressfield
Sometimes it can be painful to push forward, but that pain is occasionally necessary. They’re GROWTH pains.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Hi Steven,
Thank you for sharing the quote! Growth pains is exactly what they are and if we don’t shy away we will experience the growth!
Thanks for sharing,
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy!
Thanks for inviting me back to your Blog…from The Blogging Mastermind Comment Tribe’s page.
I hear you when you say resistance affects the way you
feel. When I 1st began my Biz Builder challenge, I was
creating content every day. I have to tell you that I
began sleeping a little longer than usual. So now, I
backed off to every other day & the resistance is a lot
more doable.
The in between days are spent socializing, like right
now…commenting/sharing etc.
Have a highly inspired day…your tribal friend Steven Suchar
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Hi Steven,
It takes a lot of work to post daily! When I was in the Prove It challenge earlier this year we posted 5x a week for three months. That really stretched me – and I was glad for the weekends because a lot of times I needed those days for catch up!
Keep up the great work with your Biz Builder challenge!
Stacy
[Reply]
I’m in the middle of this book. Godin’s “Poke the Box” (also from The Domino Project) is great as well. I look forward to reading the rest of “Do the Work”!
Not sure what you mean about your post tops being “crazy”. E-mail me or comment more specifics and I’ll be happy to take a look and see if I have any suggestions.
Your determination is an inspiration.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Hi Steve,
You are quite the resource for books to read!
The top of this post is completely normal…of course!
For some reason the top of my other posts are showing things at above the header that should be below the post (such as related posts). It’s just more resistance!
Thanks,
Stacy
[Reply]
Steve Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
lol. I’m a reading addict…so have lots of suggestions, usually!
I hope that someone who’s a better “techie” than I am to figure out that layout issue. I know how frustrating it can be.
You’re right…it is more resistance. Releasing resistance is a major theme of my book and a major lesson I’ve learned (am learning), but it is a challenge.
[Reply]
If there’s no resistance, you are not challenging yourself. Remember, things in motion tend to stay in motion. Things at rest tend to stay at rest. If you’re moving towards your goal, you need to fuel your performance. You may need to tweak the direction, there’s another resistance. And, if you’re standing still- Get moving!
Great post, Stac!
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 14th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Hi Roy, I’ve discovered the same thing in life. If there is no movement towards growth there will be no opposition! I suppose that is why some people find the lazy lifestyle “attractive”!
[Reply]
Like this site. I’m blogger and volunteer from Indonesia. I’ll follow your sites Stacy.
Thank you
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 14th, 2011 at 8:38 am
Thank you Sugi, and welcome to my blog!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
I know resistance well. The key is to recognize it and not let it get the better of us. When we attach to it or react to it then we strengthen it and attract more of the same.
I find just noticing it helps it dissolve although I always spend more time in meditation than normal when I am experiencing a lot of resistance.
Have not hear about that book but have added it to my booklist which seems never ending. Ha ha.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 14th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Hi Marcus,
I have really been learning the importance of recognition without judgment lately. It can be very challenging at first but it is very powerful. All that you’ve said goes along with that!
I know what you mean about the never ending book list!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
Thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t read the book but will check it out.
The funny thing is, resistance is literally us, stopping ourselves. Our subconscious – based on its programming – proceeds to create all types of scenarios which bring struggle, striving, heartache, sickness….whatever. By realigning ourselves to our goals continually we can chip away at resistance until it disappears entirely.
Books like that which you mentioned help us tremendously in the resistance-releasing department.
I’ve faced tons of resistance on my current travels around Southeast Asia. More than one potentially-harrowing situation has arisen, but I intend to always keep calm and realize that I can plow through my resistance with greater ease if I hold my vision on a continual basis.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 14th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Keeping our minds in the right place is definitely one way to deal with the resistance!
Stacy
[Reply]
Great article Stacy and about the right length for online reading!! Will benefit your blog by making more people read it.:-)
There will always be stones in our path. It’s as if we are being tested to see if we have got what it takes to succeed. No positive visualisation in the world can remove the stones. It’s up to us to step over stones whenever they appear in the best way possible.:-
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Hi Catarina,
I couldn’t agree more! It seems that the more obstacles we face, the closer to success we are!
Stacy
[Reply]
I had a fair amount of resistance lately Stacy. Currently, I’m facing boredom at work for the next couple of weeks until my role changes. That boredom saps my strength quite a bit, but I know it will be over soon.
I too have a few books to read. I’ve also got too many projects on the go. I need to focus on one of them. Thanks for the book recommendations.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Hi Marty,
I’ve been trying to imagine / visualize each bit of resistance as a physical step on the stairway to success. Hang in there!
Stacy
[Reply]
I’ll have to get my hands on Do The Work if you say it’s so good. I normally don’t have problems with resistance because i give up way before encountering it
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
The book is very inspiring, it helps motivate me when I feel like giving into resistance!
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
I love, love that book! Heather recommended it to me when she wrote a comment on my post, and she shared a link to its free download for Kindle (for PC). I am just not sure if it’s still available for free. It’s a very fun read too, as Steven Pressfield has that sort of in-your-face writing style. There was never a boring part in the book. I have planned to read the book once a week, until I got my audio of the Slight Edge. I love both, and I intend to review these from time to time.
Thanks for reminding me about the book, Stacy. I definitely have my lows, and I feel the resistance every now and then.
- Rowena
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Hi Rowena,
I also got the book when it was free on kindle. I wanted to write the review while it was still free but I didn’t make it. I checked the day that I wrote the post and it was marked as being on sale.
Between this book and the slight edge you have no choice but to succeed!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
thanks for sharing your insights. I haven’t heard of these books yet but I can tell a lot about resistance. In fact, struggling with resistance does cost us energy than the original task. Not to do things does cost us more time and energy as well.
Take care
Oliver
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Hi Oliver,
Do check it out, it’s a small book and easy to read – and very inspiring!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
I do not have the copy of the book yet, so I could not really tell you anything right now. I find it very interesting base on the comments of your other readers. I am getting inspired.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
You will be very inspired when you read the book!
[Reply]
Resistance is always there. We can not eliminate nor neglect it. But I guess if we are only willing to do everything for the sake of achieving our purpose, we could really fight this resistance. It’s just a matter of hard work.
Adrian@Sheds invites you to read… How to Build a DIY Wood Shed
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Adrian,
Yes, resistance will always be with us. That makes it all the more important to know how to deal with it!
Thank you for sharing,
Stacy
[Reply]
HI Stacy, REsistance can strike all of us. For me it’s usually something that happens that might be slightly disappointing that knocks me off kilter for a bit. I have to fight the resistance and become motivated.
In fact I’ve been doing a lot of fighting lately ha
ha.
Its a matter of staying on coarse and not letting things create it in the first place … or learning to just brush things off and plow ahead.
I have not read the book, but I will. Like you my list is growing and growing. Where does one fit the reading in??
I do a lot of reading in bed… it’s the only time I really get, but then I have to have my highlighter and notepad to jot down and highlight the really important points otherwise I fall asleep and forget what the heck I read int he first place! LOL
Keep your chin up and keep chug chugging.
Jayne
Jayne Kopp invites you to read… Missed the Boat on Starting an Online Business?
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hi Jayne,
I know what you mean about finding time to read. I find that I have much better days when I do though, it really helps me to get my mind focused where it needs to be! This book was a huge help and I know it will continue to be with each additional read!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hey Stacy,
I haven’t read the book. Thanks for the recommendation.
Like it or not, we all face resistance when we are on a mission to achieve our goals. The key is to identify it, deal with it and move on.
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis Nong | Free Marketing Training invites you to read… Female Entrepreneurs – Get on Board or MISS Out!
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Hi Mavis,
Great point!
Thank you for sharing!
Stacy
[Reply]
I haven’t read the book, but I’m interested. I know what you mean about resistance. From something simple to getting out of bed, to buying things out of wants, rather than needs. I’ll check it out, thanks!
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Hi Uri,
It’s a great book for dealing with resistance of any kind!
Stacy
[Reply]
My biggest battle is when I’m on a diet. I don’t even know how many diets I’ve done because I end up losing against the carbs that I wanted to eat. Resistance is a part of self-discipline and holding accountability. I’m interested in this book- thanks for the recommendation.
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Alexis,
At the beginning of the book he lists specifics events that will always bring about resistance, and that is one of them!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hello Stacy, there are several reason why your header in the posts look like it does.
1st go to the settings of the Shareaholics and see if it helps to change appearance to after posts.
2nd Related posts: go to the plugin site and deactivate the plugin. Then go to your header.php and clear out all clutter codes. Then go back an activate the plugin and set your setting to after each post.
I hope this helps, if not feel free to contact me and I’ll most possible be able to help you out.
Resistance: I never know when it is resistance or something that is not good for me when I get sick…
Susanne F invites you to read… Olive Branch
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Hi Susanne,
Thank you for taking the time to help me out! I’ve played with the shareaholic but have not tried deactivating it. I also need to look into the related posts plugin.
Thank you!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
Thanks for the recommendation. I love resistance! It tells me that I’m growing when I’m facing it.
Have a great day…
Josh
Josh Garcia invites you to read… Give Me 2 Minutes and I’ll Show What It Takes To Succeed
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Hi Josh,
That’s a great way to look at resistance!
Stacy
[Reply]
Hi Stacy,
Oh, how I dislike resistance! Resistance only seems to come around when we are about to do something to better our situation. I see it as a test and I make up my mind to push resistance out of my way so I can accomplish whatever it is I set my mid too.
lol..wow, I so passionate about it. Thanks for shearing those books. I am going to put it on my to read list too.
Have a good day, Stacy.
Tisha
Tisha invites you to read… How To Become an Effective Communicator-Social Styles
[Reply]
Stacy Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Hi Tisha,
I too find that resistance comes up when something better is just around the corner. Almost as if it’s a test to see if we can handle it!
Stacy
[Reply]
Oo nice! I’ll check out this book. Resistance is probably my worst best friend because it’s always around and I hate it. Thanks for the review, Stacy!
[Reply]
Resistance is as natural as any other aspect of work, many see it as the factor that makes things difficult, I basically see it as what spices things up with my life and puts my abilities to test!
Joshua@Plumbing training invites you to read… Plumbing Practice Test
[Reply]
I know that “resistance”, i choke on it everyday. Whenever i have something important to do, i get distracted by useless things i wouldn’t think about doing if not for the urgent job i have to work on right in that moment.
So i end up working 2-3 hours for a 1 hour work, just because i waste time. That’s if i actually do any work.
Martin@CDL Practice Test invites you to read… CDL Schools
[Reply]
I haven’t yet read that book but I probably get some read of it. I love the analogy of fighting resistance and I will probably have that book.
Bruna Facio invites you to read… Pet Food Brands
[Reply]
[...] reaction. The opposite reaction that we rarely hear about in the law of attraction is that of resistance. While we are attempting to bring positive things into our lives will will also be faced with [...]
[...] we are on the verge of some breakthrough in life or business. Resistance often rears it’s ugly head at this time of our lives to test us and prepare us for the [...]
Hi Stacy, I love how you address these minor setbacks and how we all must find our own way to plow ahead. It’s a major frustration of mine and and I’m constantly looking for new ways to “execute” my todo list no matter what outside forces hold me back from my progress. I’m going to check out that book recommendation by Steven right now. Thanks.
[Reply]