Overcoming Internal Resistance

I encounter a lot of resistance in myself when doing activities where I won't see any real impact for a while (even thought I know it will benefit me long term). Some examples are: promoting a new venture, practicing guitar, exercise etc.

I'm trying to think more strategically about overcoming this kind of resistance. It's not a question of GTD practicalities (I've got appropriate reminders etc), it's more a motivation question for me. The two tricks that I've found most helpful are:
1. to try and give myself as much data to use as feedback about the process, even though no "outcome" will arrive for some time. For example, tracking my own sales activity helped me overcome the resistance to selling.
2. Committing myself to others as a motivation. For example, I really felt motivated to practice guitar more when I agreed to start gigging!

I'd be interested to hear others' experiences of meeting internal resistance... How do you overcome it?

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Originally Posted by JakeInBrighton

I'd be interested to hear others' experiences of meeting internal resistance... How do you overcome it?

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Unfortunately the most effective method is to "just do it". Once I've overcome the inertia to start the ball rolling it usually gets easier. The act of doing often leads to ideas of more interesting ways of achieving the goal of the activity. Or a realisation that I would be better off abandoning the activity altogether.

Also having the 30,000ft+ levels defined properly helps. If you realise how your humdrum activity directly or indirectly links up to your life purpose, it tends to improve motivation....

I have a very short 'these are urgent actions' list. Putting one action in there (at Weekly review) that moves me forward on a project that I'm resisting (exercise was one). And not putting many more in that short list until that important action is done.... Yes it's difficult, but immensely fulfilling when you feel the boulder finally inching forward. Best wishes!

A few things help me:

• Only planning to do X for 15 minutes (or even less if I really don't want to do it)
• Lots of little milestones
• Lots of little rewards!

One other thing you could do is to find Mark Forster's book, Get everything done and still have time to play. The book is all about overcoming resistance and some of the tips and strategies he uses can certainly be used with a GTD list.

Check out the book "the war of art" its all about htis inner resistance. Really worthwhile book.

Once you get momentum and you take small steps, you will start to see the snowball effect.

I see resistance is normal. You want to do something or achieve a goal, but at the same time you have a moral dilemma. Do I pursue this now? Or push it on the back burner?

We've all shared problems of motivation, time, resources. What really got me inspired was the book ReWork from Jason Freid over at 37 signals.

I got a tip last week, about handling paper that's sitting on your desk. Each time you find something on your desk and you don't do it. Punch a hole in it or draw a small circle on the sheet each time you don't take action.

If you find enough holes on the sheet, you know that it's finally time do something about it.

Regards,
Ian

It changed the way I thought about producitvity in the office. I run a virtual office and this really upped my game.

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Originally Posted by JakeInBrighton

2. Committing myself to others as a motivation.

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Hi there Jake, committing yourself to others is huge, it also helps me to keep moving.

This website is designed to do just that, it has helped me a lot already: www.stickk.com (I'm not affiliated with this site, just a happy user)

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Originally Posted by JakeInBrighton

Committing myself to others as a motivation.

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In one of my bands, we had a member who adored being on stage, and booked gigs without consulting any of us. This was a very smart move. Our initial anger and anxiety gave way to long practices and professionalism. Without his gumption, I'd still be plucking away in parent's basement.

When your inertia and anxiety is getting the best of you, hire or find someone to kick your a@@. It's bitter medicine, but it works.

1. Clarify your expectations. If you made a career out of your most liked ever thing, don't expect endless bliss from your hobbies! What exactly does and doesn't "winning" mean to you? Include feelings.

2. A decision is also a fare-well. Be clear and upfront to yourself that by deciding for one thing, you decided against at least 5 other things. Be harsh to yourself about that in order to get though to your self with the message. Wether you are a type for 2 or 10 activities, the basic principle remains. Do your thing and put all else away, out of your life. Make space for the stuff you want to engage in. Why do you even still have that TV standing around there? To shoot down your evening when you are most vulnerable?