Resistant You.
This past year, I fell victim to the "resistant me."
I became influenced by great authors and thinkers - Simon Sinek, Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell, and Steven Pressfield. People who challenge doers to create something better for the world.
Their insights inspired me to think differently about my role in the world, who I was to people, and for myself. From these ideas came how I executed my jobs, thoughts on future projects, and this blog.
In thinking about new ideas and ways to help, I can always remember a little voice on my shoulder.
"How will you ever survive on a blog?"
"Why does anyone care what you have to say?"
"You're not much of a writer; you're going to embarrass yourself."
"What will people who used to work with you think?"
"What will those people tell others?"
I came up with a thousand reasons not to do any of my ideas, in spite of my other belief that I could help change the world for the better.
Within me, a battle was occurring - the "alive me" and the "resistant me."
In his book, "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, he refers to this force as "resistance," I am using the idea in a way that personifies the "resistance" as a version of myself.
Your "Resistant You" wants you to be safe. It doesn't want you to take challenges, try new things, put yourself out there, or do anything that could compromise the status quo because to do so disrupts life. Your "Resistant You" wants consistency and safety.
This version of you is the enemy. It keeps you from coming alive, and therefore the enemy to your beliefs and dreams.
As Steven says,
"Resistance has no conscience. It will pledge anything to get a deal, then double-cross you as soon as your back is turned. If you take Resistance at its word, you deserve everything you get. Resistance is always lying and always full of shit."
Don't listen to the version of yourself that keeps you from coming alive. Take courage, be bold, and plunge yourself into the pool of risk.
Don't listen to "Resistant You."
