In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield introduced millions of creatives to the concept of “Resistance” — his euphemism for the fears that show up in the creative process. In various forms, Resistance lurks in every stage, from creating to sharing your work.
We tend to view Resistance as a “bad” thing; an undesired state of being. When we speak about Resistance, we use language like overcoming and defeating. People who succumb to Resistance are “weak.”
But what if Resistance isn’t a “bad” thing?
What if Resistance is not something to “overcome” or “defeat” but something to work with?
Here’s the thing: Resistance isn’t a factor only for creatives; it shows up whenever we are navigating a change. Resistance is fear. And it’s a natural part of the human experience.
The bigger the change, or the more important or impactful the work, the bigger the resistance.
Resistance need not be the enemy.
When we understand that resistance arises only when we’re doing important work, or embarking on serious change, then we can shift our approach to resistance.
Resistance isn’t bad or good. It just is.
Perhaps, in fact, it’s something we can celebrate. After all, you wouldn’t experience resistance if you weren’t in the mix of doing big things.
To the person who is on the paddleboard, the waves are resistance. But at least she is in the ocean. As the waves knock her off the board and into the water, she is aware of her suffering.
At some point, she’ll realize that it will serve her to surrender; she may adopt a different mindset about the waves, or choose a different style of board, or decide to swim or kayak or whatever.
She will emerge stronger, because working with and through resistance creates resilience.
Resistance can be our greatest teacher, if we acknowledge it.
Our task is not to label it or judge it, but to understand how best to work with the Resistance.
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