Closing the 18-Inch Gap Podcast-EP036: Overcoming Resistance When Going Through Change

Resistance can be seen as an invisible enemy that stops you in your tracks, delays your dreams, and puts out your fire. Yet without resistance we would not become stronger or more resilient than we already are. Without it, there would be no pressure to get better, faster and smarter. Today I will be diving into the last episode in this series about change and how to approach it.

Quote of the week:

To fly we have to have resistance.

Maya Lin

Points covered:

Today I will be covering points from the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield which is a powerful piece of writing on this subject.

Let's look at the three sections the book is divided into:

1. Resistance: Defining the Enemy as the universal, insidious force that prevents us from pursuing our dreams.

2. Combating Resistance: Turning Pro. Let's explore the distinction between amateurs and professionals. According to him, the amateur succumbs to Resistance because they take their work lightly, while the professional is committed, disciplined, and approaches their work with a sense of duty.

3. Beyond Resistance: The Higher Realm. He suggests that when we overcome Resistance and commit to our work, we tap into something greater than ourselves, which he refers to as the "Muse." He argues that the act of creation connects us to a larger purpose, and by confronting Resistance, we align ourselves with our true path.

10 Reasons Why People Give in to Resistance So Easily :

1. Procrastination: Delaying the work leads to increased Resistance, making it harder to begin.

2. Perfectionism: The desire to do things perfectly can lead to fear of doing anything at all.

3. Overwhelming Goals: Setting overly ambitious goals can make the path forward seem too daunting.

4. Fear of Judgment: Worrying about what others will think can deter people from pursuing their dreams.

5. Lack of Clarity: Unclear goals or lack of direction can lead to indecisiveness and inertia.

6. Unrealistic Expectations: Setting overly high expectations can lead to disappointment and quitting when progress is slow.

7. Negative Influences: Surrounding oneself with people who discourage effort can lead to giving up.

8. Imposter Syndrome: Feeling like a fraud can prevent people from taking themselves seriously.

9. Overthinking: Constantly analyzing can lead to decision paralysis.

10. Complacency: Being content with the status quo can make people less motivated to pursue something new.

Pressfield ultimately suggests that these tendencies are common but conquerable. By identifying and naming the Resistance, you can begin to take practical steps to overcome it and pursue their true calling with determination.

Did anything resonate with you? Do you want to explore deeper how I can help you with this topic? If so, reach out to me and let me know. Simply send me an email to edwin@edwinsoler.com and let me know what your question is and how we can connect.

I always offer a free, complementary, no commitment, coaching session where we can explore how I can help you and you can see coaching action for yourself.

If this was your first time I'm so happy you're listening and I hope you can come back for more podcast episodes and feel free to listen to all the previous ones I have. I can't wait to be here with you next week but until then keep closing that 18-inch