In these unprecedented times we look deep into ourselves and ask questions. Our answers and reactions to these questions are always being challenged by our own resistance. Just like riding a bike up the mountain, you are going to face resistance going up. Understanding the gradient and the terrain of the mountain will always help you prepare.
Resistance is a powerful enemy that you should never underestimate. We all have resistance inside of us. Some of us know it and some of us don’t realise it exists. It has many different faces and can take many forms in your mind. Resistance stops you from living the life that you want to live. It is powerful and has a few tricks up its sleeve. Understanding those tricks can help you better prepare for that climb.
We are constantly in dialog with ourselves, can I do this? Should I do this? Why I am doing this? Especially when we are about to embark on a challenging workout. Like what some of us attempted two weeks ago “Everesting” not easy! Deep inside you want to attempt it but then comes the voice of resistance. Why should you? Just go on the flats! What’s the point! Do it when you can go outdoors! Does it really matter? Resistance will make you doubt yourself; it will make you procrastinate; it will make you come up with excuses.
After a long week you look at your TP and realize you have a run or maybe a long swim which I am not a fan of. Going back and forth in a pool is not something I personally enjoy. I know this long swim will be a battle. So, the dialog starts. Resistance first weapon of choice, do it tomorrow! So, I decide no! Today I will go for that swim. I get to the pool and its full of kids screaming their lungs out and no lanes are available, and the sun is scorching down on my head. I ask one of the swimmers if I can join his lane? he gives me an annoyed nod. I dip my feet in the pool and its hot and by then I decide maybe this is not my day. I actually did not decide anything. Its only my own resistance working hard to deter me from my ultimate goal. So, I finally start swimming and its hard just doing the 300m warm up let alone the sprints and the annoying 100m hard swims. I go through the emotions, but I got so far now I can’t quit. I am still in dialog with myself but now I am negotiating the total distance! I focus on the session and slowly I start to find a rhythm and all that dialog starts to fade away in the water. I get close to my total distance and I finally finish. Many of you will know that feeling once you’re done with a workout that you mentally did not want to do. Now you feel like you’re on top of the world. You beat your own resistance.
To be able to challenge yourselves listen to the resistance inside you and see it for what it is. Be mindful of it. It will get the worse out of you sometimes, but you will win many battles now that you know what you are up against.
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