"What is the 60-second version of the task in front of you? DO THAT. If you have a story about why you still shouldn't do it, that's your Resistance."

 - ANDREA ENGSTROM

What is Resistance?

When I first read Steven Pressfield's bestselling book The War of Art, I felt like I finally had a name for the invisible force that had been holding me back my whole life. Pressfield introduced the concept of Resistance as the ultimate enemy of creativity and personal growth.

 Resistance is the invisible barrier between you and your goals. It's the voice in your head that tells you:

• You're not ready
• You don't have enough time
• You're not good enough
• It's too hard
• You should do it later

Resistance can manifest in many ways, such as procrastination, self-doubt, fear, or perfectionism. It's the force that keeps you from taking the first step towards your dreams.

How to Identify Resistance

Recognizing Resistance was a game-changer for me. But as I began to observe my own inner critic more closely, I realized that fighting against it only seemed to make it stronger. That's when I discovered a surprising truth: Resistance isn't my enemy. In fact, it can be a valuable ally on my path to personal growth.

The first step in overcoming Resistance is to recognize when it's happening.

Here's a simple test:

1. Consider the task in front of you. What's the smallest, most manageable 60-second version of that task? For example, if you want to write a book, the 60-second version might be creating a new document on your computer and writing one sentence.
2. Now, do that 60-second task.
3. If you find yourself making excuses or telling yourself a story about why you shouldn't do it, that's Resistance.

Putting Resistance to Work for You

In the Lil' Habit method, we take Pressfield's concept of Resistance and give it a playful makeover. Instead of treating Resistance as a formidable foe, we practice meeting it with curiosity and compassion. Through a simple but powerful exercise, you'll learn to personify your Resistance as a lovable character - maybe a worried grandparent, a mischievous friend, or a cautious advisor. By giving Resistance a face and a voice, you create space to acknowledge its concerns without being controlled by them.

Once you've identified your Resistance, you can use each meeting to your advantage by practicing your strategies to move through it. 

1. ACKNOWLEDGE RESISTANCE: Don't try to fight Resistance head-on. Instead, acknowledge its presence and remind yourself that it's a sign you're on the right track.
2. START SMALL: Break your goals down into habits, and break those habits down to their frictionless version. By focusing on small actions, you can build the muscle to move through Resistance one success at a time.
3. EMBRACE IMPERFECTION: Resistance often shows up as perfectionism. Remind yourself that done is better than perfect, and take action even if it's not flawless.
4. REFRAME YOUR THOUGHTS: When Resistance tells you that you can't do something, reframe those thoughts into positive affirmations. For example, instead of "I don't have everything I need to do it right," try "I have enough to get started right now."
5. CELEBRATE YOUR WINS: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. Savoring your wins helps build confidence and momentum, making it easier to overcome Resistance in the future.

Resistance is a universal force that everyone faces, but it doesn't have to hold you back. By identifying Resistance and using these strategies to work with it, you can unlock your potential and achieve your goals. Remember, every big accomplishment starts with a lil' action. What will you do today to take the first step towards your dreams?

Ready to dive deeper into overcoming Resistance and achieving your goals? Download our free Kickstart Workbook, join our 6-week Dream a Lil' Dream program, or subscribe to Unstuck in 2024 to learn proven strategies for success. Your journey to a more fulfilling life starts now!