The Invisible Enemy In Your Pursuit of Growth
Whenever you’re chasing something meaningful (whether it’s better health, a new skill, or a bigger goal) you will run headfirst into one unavoidable force: Resistance.
Resistance always shows up right before you take the next important step. It’s that whisper in your mind saying, “Wait… maybe not now.” It thinks it’s protecting you…keeping you safe, comfortable, and “where you belong.”
But the truth? Resistance is the enemy of growth. It stalls your progress and keeps you stuck in the same place.
And here’s the kicker: Resistance isn’t going anywhere. You can’t wish it away, outsmart it once and for all, or push it aside forever. It will always be there…waiting, lurking…ready to block your next move.
How to Fight Resistance
The key isn’t to conquer Resistance by force or overwhelm yourself trying to “do it all.” Instead, you must:
Recognize it: Name the feeling for what it is.
Accept it: Understand it’s normal and inevitable.
Move through it anyway : Take action despite the discomfort.
But here’s the secret sauce: don’t try to leap to the finish line on day one. Growth happens through small, consistent steps.
You wouldn’t:
Squat 500 pounds on your very first day in the gym.
Fast for three days if you’ve never gone 3 hours without eating.
Run 10 miles without first running 1.
Start small. Take bite-sized chunks of progress every single day.
Keep going like that, and after a year, you won’t even recognize the person you’ve become.
To do that, lets identify how resistance actually shows up in our life.
The Sly Voices of Resistance
Resistance is always obvious. Often, it hides behind familiar voices, disguising itself in ways that sound convincing:
Fear: “What if you fail? What if you’re not good enough?”
Rationalization: “You deserve a break. You’re too busy right now.”
Procrastination: “I’ll do it later. Tomorrow will be better.”
Distraction: “Check your phone one more time. Just one episode.”
Criticism: “Your work isn’t good enough. You don’t have what it takes.”
Self-doubt: “Who do you think you are, anyway?” “Who’s going to listen to you?”
Impatience: “Why haven’t you seen results yet? Maybe it’s not for you.”
Perfectionism: “Wait until everything is perfect before you start.”
Rage or Anger: “This is too hard. Screw it.”
Jealousy: “You’ll never be that good, so why bother?”
Resistance is a natural part of growth…your mind’s way of keeping you safe from discomfort. But you get to decide if safety means staying stuck… or stepping forward anyway.
Show up every day, do the work in manageable pieces, and Resistance will lose its power over you.
Your future self will thank you for it.
