You’re stuck. Whether you were about to write, going to ask someone on a date, or simply do something where failure is a possibility, you quickly became stuck. Your fingers stop, your feet slow down, your voice stutters — you stop.
We have all experienced something like this. You simply let the resistance overtake you.
Resistance emerges when we’re pushing the boundaries of our comfort zone. It happens when Icarus is deciding whether or not to fly close to the sun or when Steve Jobs is debating whether or not to pursue the Macintosh. Despite the unfortunate endings of both the previous stories, both of these characters did something that no one had done before, and they pushed past the boundaries of their comfort.
Resistance is like quicksand. The longer you let it decide your actions, the deeper you sink and the harder it is to get out. You have to burst through resistance — show it who’s boss.
And, here’s the thing: resistance is good. Seth Godin argues that “The resistance is a symptom that you’re on the right track. The resistance is not something to be avoided; it’s something to seek out.” Resistance means that you are expanding your horizons and taking on tasks that many others would fear to take on. Overcoming resistance makes you vulnerable, opens the possibility for you to fail. However, isn’t that what life’s about? Trying things, failing them, learning, and then succeeding?
Embrace resistance, just don’t let it overtake you. Resistance is a sign that progress is about to be made. So, get out there and feel uncomfortable; that’s when you know you’re doing something right.
Works Cited:
The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly? by Seth Godin
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-icarus-and-daedalus-amy-adkins
