Key Takeaways

1. Resistance is a universal challenge: It shows up as procrastination, fear of failure, or perfectionism, but it’s a signal that what you’re doing matters.

2. Identify your “territory”: Your territory is the activity or place that sustains and strengthens you, like writing, journaling, or the gym.

3. Resistance signals growth: Feeling resistance means you’re on the right track, pushing toward something meaningful.

4. Action beats resistance: Start small, embrace imperfection, and focus on completing projects to build momentum.

5. Overcoming resistance takes practice: Acknowledge resistance, thank it for the signal, and create a plan to push through and achieve your goals.

How often do you feel pulled away from what you have to do—or want to do? Do you ever feel like, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to sit down and do the work you set out to accomplish?

Whether you’re a writer, painter, entrepreneur, or fence installer, we all face these challenges. The fear of rejection, judgment, and other forms of resistance are real.

We say things like, “I’m not in the mood,” or “it’s just not right.” Instead, we spend countless hours on social media, socializing with friends, or doing some unproductive activity.

Before you know it, years have flown by, and you’re older, still haven’t accomplished what you set out to do, and most importantly, time is running out to achieve your dreams.

But what if you could avoid that future altogether? The answer may surprise you.

Resistance Is The Enemy 

Recently, I was working at my part time job, and as usual I was listening to an audiobook while driving. I heard this book recommended and thought I’d give it a listen as it was only $7 canadian. 

The Book was called “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. In this book, Steven talked only about one topic throughout the whole thing: Resistance. 

He talks about how we face resistance (especially being artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs) when it comes to “doing the work.” This book hit home for me because resistance has been a major challenge in my career and life at this moment.

I constantly find myself trying to get work done, scheduling blocks of time for high-priority tasks, only to avoid the work, get distracted by others, or switch to some other, less impactful activity.

Steven explains the multiple ways that resistance shows up in life, and in this article, I’ll share a few examples. If you find yourself raising your hand and saying, “That’s me!” then this book might be exactly what you need.

The Many Faces of Resistance 

Resistance comes in many forms and faces. For me, it comes in the form of distractions. Whether it’s the household being so loud with the kids, me wanting to hang out and spend quality time with the family when I should be working, or switching tasks last minute when I know there are more important activities to do. 

For you, it may be different. Maybe for you it’s perfectionism, having to have it all perfect and get it “just right” as we discussed before. It may be fear of failure or rejection after putting all your soul into the project. 

Once we become aware of resistance, such as I did last week, you’ll be amazed at how many things in our lives are actually resistance disguising its ugly little face. But just like all this, once we become self-aware of it, we can begin to create a strategy to overcome it. 

Here is a list of the many faces of resistance:

1. Procrastination – Putting off important tasks in favour of less meaningful activities.

2. Perfectionism – Delaying action because everything must be “just right.”

3. Fear of Failure – Avoiding work due to fear of rejection or criticism.

4. Task Switching – Jumping between activities to avoid focusing on the most important ones.

5. Distractions – Allowing social media, household noise, or other interruptions to pull you away from meaningful work.

6. Fear of Success – Worrying about the responsibilities or attention that might come with achieving a goal.

7. Over-Socializing – Spending excessive time with friends or family instead of dedicating time to your work.

8. Rationalization – Convincing yourself that you’re “not in the mood” or “it’s not the right time” to work on a task.

But here’s the surprising thing: resistance isn’t necessarily a bad sign…

How Resistance Can Be Misleading

Resistance can feel like a barrier, but if you think about it, it’s actually a sign of growth and that you may be on the right track. 

If you’re feeling resistance with a project like writing for example, then what that means is that writing is something that is important and meaningful to you. Just like all emotions, resistance is a defense mechanism. Our emotions are designed to protect us and be signals of what is happening in our day to day lives. 

If you feel fear towards something, it’s most likely that’s because you feel vulnerable about the activity or circumstance. Think of having to break up with a partner, sharing your written work, or selling your product for your business. 

Resistance reveals that what you are doing or want to do, matters deeply. So if you are facing resistance in your life, become aware of it, acknowledge it, thank it, and create a plan of action to overcome it. 

The Role of Our Territories

In The War of Art, Pressfield also talks about our “territories.” At first, I was a bit confused, but as he explained, it started to make sense.

Steven uses Arnold Schwarzenegger as an example. He says we all have our territories, though most of us haven’t identified them yet. For Arnold, his territory is the gym.

Why? Because no matter how his day went—good or bad—that’s where he’d go. It’s the same for Stevie Wonder; his territory is the piano. Territories are places or activities that provide sustenance and strength.

Discovering Your Territory

Steven encourages readers to ask themselves some powerful questions to identify their territory:

1. If you could do something and never get paid for it, what would you do? Where would you go? 

2. If you had the worst day possible, and could call or talk to anyone else, what would you do? Where would you go to feel better? 

3. If you were the last person on earth, would you still do it? 

For me, the first things that come to my mind are martial arts (the dojo) or writing (mostly my journal.) I have just started asking myself these questions, so I will continue to reflect and dive deeper to identify my territory, as with anything deep and meaningful, it takes time and constant reflection. 

What about you? What is your territory where you get sustenance and purpose? That fills you with passion and drive? Just to be clear, I’m not talking about your talents or what you’re naturally gifted at. Your territory has to be earned.

Embrace Resistance and Do The Work

A recurring theme in almost all of my articles and content is this: Start small, but just start. Steven talks about this in the book also.

No matter what, you are going to face resistance in your attempts to achieve your goals, dreams, or vision. To overcome resistance, start by acknowledging it and understanding its purpose. Take small, actionable steps toward your goals, embrace imperfection, and focus on completing projects to build momentum. Resistance weakens with consistent effort.

It’s as simple as just doing the work. For me, to overcome my resistance, I have to just sit down at my desk and write uninterrupted for a few hours, or get contacts and sell my services or products. And here’s the evidence that you overcame resistance: You got it done. 

That doesn’t mean that you created a masterpiece on your first try. In fact, as Anne Lamott the writer always says “just write that shitty first draft.” We can edit it, rewrite it, or try again. The point here though is to get used and comfortable with completing our projects.

Even if the person doesn’t buy the product, or the book doesn’t sell, getting used to finishing and completing projects in the face of resistance will build momentum, evidence, and the muscles to move past the resistance. 

How Are You Going To Stop Resistance? 

I love writing these book reviews, because not only do I read so many psychology, business, and other self-improvement books, but I get to share and teach what I learned to others so they can achieve their goals and dreams. 

So how are you going to overcome resistance? What areas in your life do you face the most resistance? Is it a career? Relationships? Finances? I’d love to know so I can help you out in any way that I can! Send me an email with what resistance you’re facing in your life and let’s see if I can support you to achieving your dreams! 

Overcoming resistance is a journey, but every small step forward builds the resilience and commitment to bring your dreams to life. 

Top 12 Books to Read in 2025 For Ultimate Personal Growth

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