Overcoming Resistance to Achieve Your True Potential

As academics and passionate individuals, we often harbour dreams and ambitions that extend beyond our current research or teaching duties. Whether it's starting a side hustle, exploring a new research area, or collaborating with colleagues from different fields, we all have a vision of what we want to achieve. Yet, there is one formidable adversary we all face: resistance.

There is one adversary that we all face: RESISTANCE

Resistance is that invisible force that keeps us from bringing our inner dreams to life. It distracts us, confuses us, and fills us with excuses and fears. If we allow it to win, our visions and the purpose we were meant to fulfill can remain dormant within us, leading to a life unlived.

So how can we combat this resistance and move towards our goals? Here are some strategies to detect and overcome resistance in your academic and entrepreneurial pursuits.

(1) Identifying Forms of Resistance

Resistance can manifest in various ways in our professional lives:

Procrastination: Delaying tasks that can bring us closer to our goals (it's amazing how urgent that laundry suddenly seems when you have a deadline!).

Perfectionism: The fear of not being good enough, leading to endless revisions and delays. (because that one comma will surely make or break your career, right?)

Self-Doubt: Questioning our abilities and the value of our ideas (also known as the "Imposter Syndrome" tango).

Distraction: Allowing ourselves to be sidetracked by less important tasks or entertainment. (Oh look, a puppy video...or a cat video for cat lovers!)

Overwhelm: Feeling that the task ahead is too big, leading to inaction (because sometimes, binge-watching a Netflix series feels like the only option).

(2) Detecting Resistance

To move forward, we first need to recognize when resistance is at play. Ask yourself:

• Am I making excuses for not starting or completing a task? It's "I need to clean my desk" really necessary right now?🤔
• Do I feel an irrational fear or anxiety about taking the next step? Will the world end if you hit "submit"?😐
• Am I constantly revising my work instead of finalizing it? It's this draft #24 or #25?😆

(3) Tips to Overcome Resistance

- Clarify Your Why: Understanding your deeper motivations is crucial. Reflect on what drives you to pursue your side hustle or new research project. Your “why” will keep you grounded and motivated through challenges. And, remind you why you put up with endless meetings.

- Set Clear Goals and Timelines: Break down your vision into manageable steps with realistic timelines. Setting short-term, mid-term, and long-term milestones can help you stay focused and measure your progress. Think of it as academic gamification – collect those milestones like badges!

- Start Small: Begin with the smallest, manageable step that can lead to your goal. This reduces the feeling of overwhelm and builds momentum (baby steps, my friend, baby steps!).

- Stay Accountable: Share your goals with a trusted colleague or mentor. Regular check-ins can help keep you on track and provide support when needed. Or at least guilt you into getting things done.

- Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement can boost your motivation and confidence. Chocolate, anyone?🍫

- Be Adaptable: The path to success is rarely straight. Be prepared to adjust your plans and timelines as you encounter obstacles. Flexibility can be a strength, not a weakness. Think of it as academic yoga – stay flexible and breathe.

It's not about eliminating resistance entirely, but learning to navigate through it.

Remember, resistance is a natural part of the creative and professional process. So, it's not about eliminating resistance entirely but learning to navigate through it. By clarifying your motivations, setting clear goals, starting small, staying accountable, celebrating progress, and being adaptable, you can overcome resistance and bring your vision to life.

Let resistance be the challenge that sharpens your resolve and propels you towards your true potential. And if all else fails, remember: even the best ideas were probably hatched over a cup of coffee and a healthy dose of procrastination. Cheers to your journey!

#Resistance #ProfessorJourney #AcademicCareer #EntrepreneurialAcademic #CareerGoals #OvercomeObstacles

I'm Dr. Marina Silva-Opps. If you're hungry for more insights on how to share your academic journey, time management, productivity, career success, and personal development, visit my LinkedIn profile, website, Instagram, or send me a DM. And remember, I'm here to help!