A worthy opponent

The resistance (as Steven Pressfield defines it) truly is a worthy opponent.

As soon as you master the ‘distraction’ level of difficulty the opposition will adapt and become more subtle in its approach.

It gets particularly conniving when it poses as helpful rational thoughts.

‘Do you feel that back pain? You haven’t done your physio exercises in a while. You should really do them now before you forget. You don’t want to end up with chronic back pain, do you?’

‘It’s the Christmas holidays you should be spending time with your family. You haven’t seen them in ages. Stop blogging and go connect with them.’

‘Have you paid rent yet? Oh man you should go double check right now! You could get into a lot of trouble for not paying rent on time!’

The resistance couldn’t tear you away from your craft with simple tricks like nudity or mindless TV so now it’s playing on your anxieties to hinder your progress.

It is a subtle and cunning adversary, worthy of our respect.

To defeat it is no mean feat.

Any victory over the resistance should be celebrated because it is an enemy with access to all your inner thoughts.

It knows your weaknesses better than you do.

Can you distinguish the resistance’s voice in your head?

Can you spot the internal saboteur in all its form?