Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"كلما كانت الدعوة أو الفعل أكثر أهمية لتطور روحنا، كلما شعرنا بمقاومة أكبر تجاه متابعته."

Steven Pressfield
Steven Pressfield Author
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
When we face a task that feels crucial to our personal growth or soul's evolution, there's often this invisible force trying to hold us back. It's like the universe puts up a barrier, and we feel an intense push and pull between wanting to move forward and something pulling us back. This resistance can come in many forms—self-doubt, procrastination, fear, or even external obstacles. The key idea here is that the more significant the action, the stronger the resistance you’ll encounter.

Imagine a musician on the verge of creating an album that could define their career. They wake up every day wanting to pour their heart into their work, but then they feel paralyzed by thoughts like, “What if no one likes it?” or “What if I fail?” That’s resistance in action. This concept can be traced back to ancient philosophies that emphasize the struggle between our higher self and the inertia of our current state. It's also a common topic in modern self-help and motivational literature. Steven Pressfield, in his book *The War of Art*, dives deep into this idea, suggesting that resistance is a natural part of the creative process.

Let’s break it down with a real example. Picture Jane, a software developer with a brilliant idea for an app that could help people manage their mental health. The app is innovative and has the potential to change lives. However, every time she sits down to work on it, she finds herself distracted by social media, household chores, or even other work projects that seem less important. It’s like she’s almost subconsciously finding ways to avoid the work that means the most to her. That’s the resistance doing its dirty work.

So, how do you combat this resistance? First, recognize it for what it is—a sign that you're on the right path. If it wasn’t important, resistance wouldn't bother showing up. Embrace a routine; set aside specific times each day dedicated solely to working on your important task. Break the work into smaller, manageable chunks. Instead of tackling the entire mountain, just focus on one small hill at a time. Surround yourself with support—friends, mentors, or even online communities that understand your journey and can offer encouragement.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s about to embark on writing their first novel. They tell you about the crippling fear they feel every time they think about starting. You might say, “Hey, remember when you started running? You couldn’t even do a mile without feeling like you were going to pass out. But you kept at it, little by little, and now you’re doing marathons. Writing’s the same. Just start with a paragraph. Then another. The more you practice, the more that resistance will fade."

In your own life, think about something you've always wanted to do but felt held back by fear or doubt. Maybe it's learning to play the guitar, starting a blog, or even changing careers. Recognize that the resistance you feel is natural. It’s actually a good sign—it means that what you’re aiming for is meaningful. Acknowledge the resistance, but don’t let it control you. Take small steps. Celebrate tiny victories. And most importantly, keep moving forward, one small step at a time.
Related tags
Inner conflict Inner growth Motivation Overcoming obstacles Personal growth Purpose Resistance Self-improvement Soul evolution Spiritual journey
MORE QUOTES BY Steven Pressfield
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon