What To Do When You Experience Resistance

Think about your life and the moments where you’ve felt some resistance come up.  Maybe you’re resistant to change, doing something different, new experiences, etc.  Resistance is a sign that you should pay attention.  Resistance is your body’s way of letting you know you should be cautious because all it wants to do is feel safe.  However, resistance can also keep you stuck in your comfort zone.  Learning how to take action through resistance is going to help you achieve your goals in life.

Check In

Resistance often comes up when you’re stepping outside your comfort zone.  It’s evidence that you’re being challenged with an opportunity to learn and grow.  Resistance is not always bad.  It’s a clear sign to check in with yourself.  Ask yourself, are you safe in this moment?  Is this going to cause you physical harm?  If not, ask yourself if you’re just afraid or if there is another possible outcome?  Maybe taking action through that resistance can actually lead you to something amazing.  Such as, a new job, house, location in a different city, or even just a great learning experience.  Start to see resistance as an opportunity to check in with how you’re feeling.

Safety

Sometimes, when you experience resistance, you have to get creative and take the longer route.  This may feel safer for you but you’re still taking action to get to where you want to go.  Be okay with experiencing the full journey and do not cut yourself short.  Just because you’re not catapulting yourself to success with the fastest route does not mean that it’s any less effective, especially if you get the same end result.  This is all about how you want to feel.  If you’re resistant to change, instead of staying stuck, find ways you can work through that resistance in a manner that feels safe to you.

Mud Puddle

Imagine there is this huge mud puddle in front of you.  You can either walk right through it, getting your shoes and pants all wet and dirty or, you can go another direction.  You can go around the mud puddle.  You redirect.  But, you still get to the same end result.  Yes, it probably took you a little bit longer.  However, you’re a little less cold and muddy.  If that’s what it takes for you to feel good and safe to take action, then by all means do so!

Comparison

Resistance also comes up when you start comparing yourself to others.  Maybe you see others achieving goals faster than you.  You start to compare where you are to where they are.  Jealously and self doubt begin to creep in.  Do not let yourself fall prey to these negative emotions.  You do not need to do something just because someone else is.  Avoid doing things that are out of alignment with who you are just because other’s say so or because it’s supposed to be a faster, shortcut.  Put earmuffs on to block out the noise and blinders on to just focus on running your own race in life.

Your Life

Just because someone else does something doesn’t mean that you need to do that too.  You can carve your own path instead of taking the path well traveled.  You can zig when others are zagging.  You can march to the beat of your own drum of what feels right and best for you.  Do not let the fear of other’s judgement hold you back.  This is your one life so make the most of it by being your most authentic self, even if people disapprove or don’t agree.  You are not living life for other people, you are living life for you.  Resistance comes up when you’re out of alignment with who you are, what you believe in, stand for, and who you want to be.

You do not need to do something just because you feel like it’s what you’re supposed to do.  This is when resistance happens.  When you experience resistance, check in with yourself.  Ask yourself why are you resistant to this?  Is it just fear or is it because your body says this just doesn’t feel aligned?  Resistance is feedback to take action by going another direction but still getting to the end goal.  Figure out what you’re resistant to and then decide how you can feel safe to take aligned action to achieve your goals in life.

Take Action Challenge

The Resistance Reset

For the next week, you're going to stop avoiding resistance and start taking action through the resistance.

Step 1: Identify the Resistance

Ask yourself: What goal or action have you been resisting lately?

Write it down.

Step 2: Check In For A Safety Scan

Ask yourself, are you physically unsafe or are you just uncomfortable?

If it’s discomfort then it’s growth.

Step 3: Choose Your Route

Now decide: Do you push through the resistance head first or do you take a longer, safer route to go around it?

Both are forward movement.

Choose one safe but courageous action you will take this week.

Small aligned action is better than staying frozen in place.

Step 4: Block the Noise

For the next week, avoid comparing, measuring your progress against someone else, and rushing because someone else is moving faster.

Put blinders on and run your race.

Resistance is not a stop sign.  It’s a signal to check in.  You get to decide how you respond.  Pause, figure out if you need to pivot, and then proceed with action.