Tough (Question) Tuesday: What are you resisting?
fortune, originally uploaded by simple effulgence , found via kind over matter
I started reading The War of Art on the subway today, & after just 33 pages I know it’ll only be a matter of time before it’s dog-eared & well-loved. The first part of the book is about resistance, & how it’s the vampire that welcomes all of our vices so that we just won’t start pursuing our dreams.
Since I’m asking it to myself, I’d love to know:
What are you resisting?
Whether it’s tangible (leaving my job, writing a novel, dropping that friend) or intangible (resting, a great big laugh, feeling joyful), please share it in the comments section. I’ll be right there with ya!
Tags: Tough (Question) Tuesday
December 15th, 2009 at 3:45 am
I'm resisting the belief that simplicity can be achieved while still going after/attaining your dreams. I've been results-focused my whole life, & the thought of enjoying the doing – & living my life by that objective, & still being able to achieve my goals – is a bit mind-blowing to me, although I know it's realistic.
I think it's really about de-programing yourself, & trusting that an inkling you have about something might be The Real Thing, & allowing yourself to try that.
December 15th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Oh man. I am resisting change in some parts of my life, I think.
I recently completed my master's degree in International Relations (my graduation ceremony is in the UK this weekend), and I have spent much of the last 6 years working towards one goal: to work in politics. Now that I have started my creative business, though, I am finding that I am incredibly passionate about that aspect of my life and can really see myself doing it long-term. Although I'm searching for jobs in politics still, my career future is not as certain as it used to be. What I'm resisting is accepting that my career might not end up going according to plan & that I've got to be willing to be open to what comes my way.
In general, I find that I resist change a lot. I've gone to college, lived in 4 countries on 3 continents in the past 3 years, and I constantly find myself evolving and moving forward & changing things. But when unexpected changes come my way, I am resistant to them and this is evident in how much I worry/stress/etc. about those changes. I've really got to de-program and re-program as well!
December 15th, 2009 at 5:01 am
I'm resisting the concept that I have to let go of my attachment to outcomes. It's so easy to expect things in life or wait for things to come. It's harder to say "the universe will deliver and it's not my business how that happens." The law of attraction works both ways and it's a hard concept to follow but easy to understand. If I emit negative thought patterns, that's what I will attract. Through my fear that things won't come to be I actually stop myself from achievement.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I seem to be resisting taking the step from blogger and writer outside of 9 to 5 work to freelance blogger and writer who gets paid for that stuff. It's odd (or perhaps not at all odd) that this is the first think I think of when you say the word resist, as this is also one of my dearest desires and exactly where I want to head. Clearly this resistance is worth looking at, I'm just not sure why yet.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I LOVE, love, love that fortune.
Resisting… I've been resisting taking the next step in my marketing efforts. I have the budget now to step things up and to make my business grow I believe I should. But it's very overwhelming.
December 15th, 2009 at 11:53 am
@Krista – Congrats on your masters! What a major, major accomplishment – despite the fact that you're unsure what you want to do with it (if anything!). I know how frustrating it could be to put time & money behind a goal, only to have a new goal poke it's head in & beckon to you as soon as the first goal is at the finish line. Part of the reason I named myself the When I Grow Up coach is that grown-ups constantly have evolving values, priorities & goals – but most of us want to ignore them & keep living our "old" lives. It's only when you acknowledge the new dream, & discover how/if the old dream has a place in your life, that you're on your unique path to creating the best life for you.
@Shayla – It all boils down to trust, which is fundamentally a very, very tough thing for a creative person to do. All of our lives we've built up our thick skin, expecting the worst but hoping for the best. How are you able to turn that around & trust both yourself & the universe? For me, it's just reminding myself that I'm building the blocks to my goals, & as long as I keep building & keep moving forward I'll have done my part.
@Kylie – Ooh, a real live professional writer. How awesome and scary! The War of Art is very hell-bent on expressing that what you're most resistant to is what will bring the most power & purpose into your life, & that you must cut the BS & just start. I agree with that wholeheartedly, but also feel strongly that you can take little baby steps to get there. Can you think of a tiny itty bitty step that you can do today/tomorrow that will get you towards this goal?
@Diane – Can I suggest that you dig a bit deeper & get down on paper what's overwhelming you? Even if it's a bulletpointed list, it's meant to get out of your mind & exist of paper, where you can dissect it & prioritize it & break it into little pieces. A good flow chart is also good, where you start with the end result & work backwards, noting each step you need to take in order to get there. Once you're at the beginning, you'll know where/how to start. And don't forget to reward yourself along the way for taking action & making it happen!
December 15th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
This is exactly what I need today! I resist de-cluttering my life. I feel overwhelmed by my obligations, yet I realize that so many of them are self-imposed (ie the house has to be perfectly clean). These obligations keep my from focusing on what's really important in my life right now. I guess I need to re-focus and prioritize what's really important to me right now (an awesome volunteer opportunity that should lead to an amazing job). Not what my laundry room looks like.
Thanks for a great question!
December 15th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Thanks, LauraSO! Y'know, Danielle LaPorte really hit home when I heard her say, "There are no obligations in life – only choices." How will you choose to live your life? (Ooh, another tough question!)
December 15th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
michelle…you're brilliant, as always!
December 16th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Aw shucks, ma'am