3 things that are holding you back
Sound familiar?
You’re getting ready for a big presentation at work. You know exactly what needs to get done. You’ve even figured out how to give your presentation that extra spice to impress the big bosses...
But instead of working on it right away, you put it off until the last possible moment.
No judgment. Procrastination happens to the best of us.
Is this a sign of laziness? A lack of drive and hustle on your part? Or are you just irresponsible?
What if I tell you the answer isn’t any of these but something more profound – something so deep you might not even be aware of it.
The author Steven Pressfield refers to it as “internal resistance,” an inner tug-of-war between the pull we feel to achieve more and an even stronger pull that keeps us from going for it. Essentially, the opposing force that pulls us back is a combination of habits and psychoanalyzing.
The main reason this resistance happens is that your brain is wired to protect itself. So, yes, I know your next question, “protect it from what?”
Well, that part is different for everyone. Internal resistance can take the shape of excuses, fears, anxiety, rationalizations, and yes, procrastination.
Some refer to this battle as self-sabotage. The good news is it’s not a sign that you lack ambition. However, internal resistance can keep you from getting work done, even if you are completely capable of accomplishing it.
But once you are aware of the internal struggle happening inside your brain, you can take the necessary steps to zero in on the cause of the resistance.
Here’s how to get started:
- First, recognize that there IS an internal resistance.
- Investigate what you’re trying to protect yourself from. Warning: This requires you to dig deep.
- Learn to work with the resistance and still get the work done. Doing away with your self-sabotaging tendencies doesn’t happen overnight. So while you work at it, you’ll need to learn how to adjust and work within the resistance. Here are three questions to ask yourself when you feel yourself sabotaging your efforts.
- Am I jumping to extreme conclusions, i.e., assuming failure right away without trying?
- Are my assumptions based on overgeneralizations like the whole market is brutal and impossible to rise within its fortified walls?
- Are my expectations too rigid and unmanageable?
- Find comfort knowing you’re not alone.
And then? Forward momentum.
Having this internal battle in your mind is a clear indication that you want to change. You want to grow. You want to make progress.
Now you can take steps to break free from everything that’s holding you back, even if it’s yourself.
P.S. Want to read more on the subject? Check out “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield.