Resistance is a Challenge We All Face

Most of us have two lives: the life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.

-Steven Pressfield (from the War of Art)Resistance is something we all face, yet rarely call it by name. It is the most important thing for us to overcome as leaders. It is all around us and sometimes we don’t even realize that we are working against it. As leaders, we must lead the charge into the battle of resistance. Those we lead will follow us, so the stakes are high. With clear goals and team support, resistance can be conquered.Resistance is real, even if we cannot see it or feel it. It is always there. It is the force that keeps us on the couch a little longer (or a lot longer). It may keep us in bed for a few added minutes in the morning. It is the thing that tells us ‘only one more minute on this other thing.' Or, ‘I’ll get to that tomorrow when I am more into it'. Awareness of resistance is the first step in overcoming it.There is not a silver bullet for the challenge resistance presents. But there are some tried and true ways to ensure you push forward. Here are a few:

Clarify the Goal

State clearly what it is you would like to achieve and why you would like to achieve it. Big or small this needs to be clear in your mind about what you are setting to do and the importance it carries for you. Don’t be afraid to dream big, just be clear. Clarity in your goal will be your guiding light any time resistance is pushing you off course.

Create Your Plan

Now that you know what you want to do and why, you need to know how you want to get there. This is the road map that will allow you to reach your ultimate destination. Few things are sustained or ritualized without a plan behind it. Write it out. And, be specific so you know what you will be doing and when you will be doing it.

Work It Each Day

Don’t create the plan only to let it sit unworked. Review your roadmap daily and ensure you are on course. Keep your plan someplace where you can see it and review it easily. If you wrote it out on a computer, then print the plan out or have it on your desktop so you can’t miss it. Read it, re-read it. Ask yourself each day - what do I need to do today to move the plan forward? Engaging in the plan each day keeps giving it life and reinforces the importance to you. Review the ultimate outcome - why did you embark on this journey to begin with? Remind yourself what this means to you. Engaging daily strengthens your resolve to overcome obstacles. Resistance hates that you never take a break away from pushing forward against it.

Small Steps are OK

Don’t confuse this with small goals or dreams. Set your dreams and bar high. Be prepared to take all the small steps it will take to get to that. Never lose sight of the bigger picture. You may have to take sideways steps, or even steps backward at times to ultimately push forward That is OK. Sometimes detours are necessary. The original plan may hit a snag or something unplanned comes up. That is Resistance challenging you, trying to break you down. It’s trying, constantly, to push you off the tracks. Acknowledge that a detour is necessary and do the same thing your GPS would do – recalculate. Find the new route, a path that will lead you back to what you set out to achieve. Push back against Resistance and stay true to yourself, your plan and your team. Keep breaking your steps down to make them achievable, but forward-looking. As long as it becomes part of the plan, it will lead you back to your final destination.

Teamwork is Key

You do not need to battle Resistance alone. Success comes from the strength of working with your team of followers and peers. We all battle Resistance every day. They may be independent battles and obstacles, but we all face it. Reach out to peers, friends, leaders and mentors for feedback, support and encouragement on your plan and the challenges you face. The collective efforts of your support system, your plan, and your follow through will allow you to come out ahead of Resistance.How are you dealing with the resistance you face? Click here or on the comments button above to share your thoughts.