Resistance as a compass

Today we will discuss a tool that helped me prioritize my work, spend time wisely, and start starting what is important.

I am a master at doing the second most important thing on my to-do list: if I have an exam, I’ll do my homework, if I only have homework, I’ll do my laundry, if I have to do laundry, I’ll organize my desktop. Partially because it's hard to identify the most important task (eg. 2 exams of similar value) and partially because it was slightly easier to do the second most important thing 🙃.

I came up with logical justifications for not doing the most important thing, “I shouldn’t accept this opportunity to go on this exchange program abroad because if I leave my school now I will be losing lots of valuable progress with my current system.” Reasonable...somewhat wise, but just an excuse.

The reason we might face resistance towards taking that opportunity to study abroad is that we know that it is an important thing that will elevate our being.

I will be a better person if I take that opportunity, which means that I am a worse person now, therefore, I will justify how that opportunity is not going to make me better so I don't admit to my inferior position in the present.

Steven Pressfield encapsulated this idea in what he called “Resistance” describing it as a force that pushes us against the action that will help us the most and get us closer to the person we aspire to be, and that we -in the secrecy of our hearts-  would love to become.

Resistance, however, has been a very useful tool for me, as Pressfield suggests, since that force (discomfort, fear, self-doubt, etc.) is blowing in the direction against which we need to walk, we could use it as a compass to know what task, duty, calling should we tackle now!

Ask yourself, “what is the thing that I am least comfortable doing right now?”, and that is the thing that is most likely to be the most beneficial to you. If it's the job application you need to fill, do it right now, if it’s the paper you need to write, then start, if it is the business you need to start...you get the point.

💭 Quote of the week

“Always do what you are afraid to do.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

📕 Book: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

The idea of Resistance comes from this masterpiece by Pressfield, it is an ideal read before starting any creative endeavor, but it is not just for creatives, it is for anyone who wants to become whoever they aspire to be.

I recommend the audiobook on Audible which is well narrated.

Have a meaningful week ✨,
Laith