Reality of Doing

Resistance is futile

Posted on 29. Mar, 2009 by sethcaskey.

I’m beginning to sound like a broken record. Yet again it’s been too long since I’ve posted anything to my blog. Why is it so hard for me to find the time to sit down and write? (It’s only as hard as I make it, right?)

One of my favorite books as an artist is the War of Art by Steven Pressfield. If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend picking up a copy. In it he talks about the primary struggle plaguing artists – Resistance. He states that:

“…any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term growth, health, or integrity. Or, expressed another way, any act that derives from our higher nature instead of our lover. Any of these will elicit Resistance.”

Whenever we purpose to create something original, something deep from within our soul – Resistance rears her ugly head and attempts to sabotages us. Resistance lulls us into complacency. She wants us to stay where we are, with what’s comfortable.

I don’t know about you, but the fact that I’m living in Los Angeles and working in an industry with one of the highest failure rates means that I’m pretty much uncomfortable all the time. Rejection, exhaustion, frustration are all words that could easily describe an everyday experience.

Even as I’m writing this I can hear the voice of Resistance whispering her lies. Her voice is smooth, comforting, easy. It takes no effort to give in to Resistance. It takes no thought. But how many things are acheived in life if Resistance is the winner?

Yesterday I let the power of Resistance lull me into missing an opportunity to tier jump. Instead of a get-it-done attitude, I chose to wallow in my story of weakness. I could see it happening. I watched it wash over me like a wave. But, if I sat here and beat myself up over the fact that I let an opportunity pass me by – nothing productive would come from it.

Instead, I acknowledged that I was in Resistance, and chose to take action anyway. I did all the things that I have been putting off for the last couple of weeks, including selecting some new headshots.

So what’s my point? Maybe you’re resisting writing a blog post, reaching out to someone on twitter, posting a video or something as mundane as going to the gym. (a little self-disclosure) Realize that Resistance can be a powerful teacher in illuminating for us the direction we should move.

Whenever we are are growing and moving towards the things we want, we reach beyond our level of comfortability – beyond the reach of Resistance – and she doesn’t like it. Allow Resistance to teach us the direction that we should move. When we are moving in the direction of our dreams, Resistance will show up. Instead of fighting her, learn from her.

What is she trying to keep you from doing? Will you do it anyway?

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