One of the roadblocks that used to hold me back from trying new things and stretch myself, is a strong inner sense of resistance.
Over time, I learned more about how being mindful of thoughts, feelings, and emotions can help me grow, and I started applying a simple technique that has helped me overcome resistance in many situations.
By using this technique, I have been able to try more new things, take more risks, and continue to enjoy growth.
I don’t think I will ever call myself a writer and I don’t have a strong track record of writing articles for the web. I do have the wish to share what I have learned and done as a professional with my clients, and anyone who has an interest. I know that writing articles that are relevant and helpful to my visitors can be a great way to build my audience, which in turn may lead to more clients that I can help.
As a part of developing my coaching business, I set out to write down my own experiences and perspectives, and publish them on my website.
An Old, Nagging Acquaintance
When my first day of planned writing arrived, a strong sense of inner resistance started to set in. This sensation was physical, tangible and overwhelming. I just couldn’t bring myself to write anything, and somehow recognized that feeling; like an old, nagging acquaintance that visits me whenever I plan to do something that is out of my comfort zone.
I had rescheduled the task of writing twice before, and after procrastinating the work for a good hour with too much coffee and a bit of mindless scrolling (more than just a bit, to be honest), I decided I had to somehow break through that resistance and get going. But… ‘Just doing it’ wouldn’t work out. It hadn’t before.
Here’s what I did
Using pen and paper, I wrote down any thoughts that would pop up as I sensed that resistance: “I am not an author! What if other people find out I suck at this? What if my peers judge me?”. Next, I wrote down any emotions that came with these thoughts, of which one was clearest: Fear. I then described any bodily sensations that came with these thoughts and emotions: Restlessness in the legs and stomach, and a slight warm sensation in the face.
It took about five minutes to describe all of this and another five to further sense and explore this experience that had been holding me back.
Becoming aware of my thoughts, emotions, and sensations helped me recognize the pattern that led to resistance, and allowed me to take back control over my actions. As I gained a better understanding of the pattern, it no longer overwhelmed me. I could simply acknowledge that it was there, but it seemed no longer powerful enough to hold me back.
That day I wrote the raw text for six articles, all of which just flowed from my mind onto paper – or rather, from my mouth to notes, as I like to use dictation a lot. I had overcome a significant roadblock, and doing the work that I had felt so much resistance to turned out to be highly fulfilling.
“As I gained a better understanding of the pattern, it no longer overwhelmed me.”
What you can do
The next time you are overwhelmed by a strong sense of resistance, and it is holding you back from the next step in your growth, try and use this awareness technique.
Grab pen and paper – don’t use an electronic device
1. Write down your thoughts in sentences.
2. List any emotions you can detect associated with these thoughts, one or a combination of these: Happiness, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, Anger, or Surprise
3. Note any physical sensations, their location, their shape or even color.
4. Read out loud what you have written down and try to recognize the thoughts, feelings, and sensations you are experiencing again. This will help you become aware of them and better recognize them in the future.
TIP: if you want to make more light of the situation, feel free to name your sensations and refer to them by this name in the future.
It may take a bit longer than 10 minutes at first, but practicing will help you become more fluent at it. At the least it can help you understand more about your thoughts and how they induce emotions and feelings – essentially helping you gain better insight into how your mind works.
And maybe it can even help you move past your points of resistance as well, help you gain confidence and increase your joy of trying new things.