ect Resistance //
Steven Pressfield introduces the concept of Resistance in his The War of Art classic. It is the inner force that prevents us from doing our best creative work.
Pressfield’s resistance is what you need if an instinct, habit, or feeling interferes with your work. We would never add these things to our daily routine, but they’re there.
Resistance seems to be a tool for novelists and screenwriters. Procrastination and writer’s block. Anyone who is in charge of a project, whether it’s a business, non-profit or campaign, will also face this problem.
We could, we might, but we do not. The work is not shipped or doesn’t reach its full potential.
Resistance is not just me. Everywhere we turn, it happens.
It may seem that some of the Symptoms of Resistance are contradictory. But if you go back to its definition, it makes perfect sense. Here are some examples:
- Procrastinating
- Ignoring and avoiding useful metrics
- Focusing on vibrant but unhelpful metrics
- Shipping the project is not allowed
- Shipping Junk
- It’s Resistance, but you can say it.
- Too busy to do the difficult part
- Too high an aim
- Too low an aim
- Refusing to establish a budget and deadlines
- Stress is the result of tension caused by “this might not be working”.
- We don’t actively manage the project but let it manage us
- Embracing sunk costs
- Not asking useful questions
- Refusing leverage and tools in favor of the familiar, fussy tasks
- We blame the system for all our problems
- Ignoring system and acting like we are the first to arrive
- Waiting for the next big thing, being obsessed with technology and new opportunities
- Refusing to be informed about new technologies or opportunities
- Responding instead of leading, reacting instead of responding
- Prioritizing the urgent over the important
- Documenting everything with a meticulous eye
- Ennui
- Exuberance irrational
- Delegating tasks incorrectly
- Take too much credit
- Ignoring feedback is a mistake
- Being reckless and assuming that a net will show up
- Even though we know that the long route is the only one, we still look for shortcuts.
- Leaving out important details
- Questioning the validity of your assertions
- The actual time spent on the project does not match the schedule.
- We can’t keep our promises
- Fear of not being able to keep promises
- Take it personally
- Keep your fears to yourself
- Use deadlines as fuel
- Too much time spent on fear
- Consistency is more important than authenticity
- Arriving late
- Going over budget
- Becoming a perfectionist
Resistance may seem like a moral failing but is more like stumbling over your toes or burning toast. We do not have to blame ourselves, but we can dance with what we see and know.
It may appear that these behaviors happen because we do, but they are a choice. We can learn a skill, and we can unlearn a habit. We can be kind, concentrate on the goal, and return to the project.
Two confusions and a fear are present:
First, we may not be aware that these choices are actually options.
Second confusion: we may not have learned new tactics, tools, and choices but we can.
What about the fear? Change is the fear. It’s possible that the change or chance of it not working will not happen.
We can identify and name resistance when it arises.
