You need to win the fight against ‘The Resistance’.
Thinking back to the people who have done well in our game, the common attribute is the ones who can get stuff done. This is especially important in our world of event management. Our deadline doesn’t move. We don’t do extensions, we can’t file it late, get back to it later. We have a set date. The doors are opening at x o’clock. People are coming, whether your ready or not!
‘Ready or not here we come’
You know a phenomenal event person when you see them. They are not the ones speaking hurriedly, on a call, while emailing, in a meeting, stressing, on their 5th coffee for the day. Not that one (although, we’ve all been there). The good ones are the ones listening, looking, advising, making decisions. They are busy, but methodically getting it done. Seemingly in control, ahead of the game, ready for the next wave of activity (which, will come). We want to be the leaders, in control, getting stuff done, all day every day.
But it is not easy.
Yes, us ‘event people’ can change states pretty quickly. We can switch between ‘Event Professional’ to ‘Event Phenomenal’, from ‘Event Planner’ to ‘Event Procrastinator’ all in a day.
With the need to juggle multiple tasks, and hit those immovable deadlines. We also have the challenges that everyone else faces.
And that is not our fault. We are all in a battle, against The Resistance.
If you haven’t heard of it yet there is this thing called ‘The Resistance’ – and he/she knows all of us. It makes us resist, muck around. Delay. Overthink it. We put off the call. Have a meeting. Check Facebook.
The resistance is a concept created by novelist Steven Pressfield that illustrates the universal force that against human productivity. Everyone has it. It is the force that will stop an individual’s activity through any means necessary, whether it be rationalizing, inspiring fear and anxiety, emphasizing other distractions that require attention, raising the voice of an inner critic, and much more.
In the ‘War on Art’ Pressfield tells us all about the Resistance in detail, how it is universal but invisible. And that we all have it. That we feed it, every day. And it gets stronger the closer we get to pushing it away.
So look out for it. You will see it somewhere today. Why didn’t you make that call? Why did I send that email? Did that meeting need to happen? Did I need to take that long? Why was I on Facebook? (some say Twitter was invented by The Resistance).
Think about it. What did The Resistance say to you today?
It is easy to be in denial. I don’t procrastinate. I don’t say “I won’t do it”. I say to myself “I will do it tomorrow”. Either way, The Resistance is winning*.
*there is actually some science behind this. It’s been said the resistance sits inside the ‘lizard brain’, the amygdala, part of the brain which controls the way we react to fear
The good news is we can beat it, and use it. Some say The Resistance is a gift. A guide. The Resistance will unfailingly point to that action (or calling) that it most wants to stop us from doing. And that’s great, we can use it. Like a compass we can navigate by resistance, letting it guide us to that action that we must follow before all others. The rule of thumb being the more resistance we feel, the more important that action is to our evolution. That is – the resistance is telling you the best thing you can do.
The enemy is a very good teacher – The Dalai Lama.
The most talented people I know are the ones who are taking on the resistance. We all face it but they manage it best. The ones who can get it done.
You can’t do it on your own
So we can beat the resistance but we do need some help. From what I’ve seen we are at our best to fight the war on the resistance when we have our work/live in order. In our work life, our personal life, and our health. And to achieve this we need some guidance and support. So make sure you get some help when you need it.
But we need to lead it
I’m not going to preach to you, but just remind us that those that are getting it done are the ones taking responsibility for their lives. They may have good methods and tools to be productivity ninja’s, but it all starts with their attitude. It starts with your intent. It’s not always easy but we need to approach our day ready to take on the resistance. To look at the opportunities. To GSD.
The people are coming. Ready or not.
This is what I think, let me know what you think?
And let me know if I can help you beat The Resistance