Notice the Resistance

I have a fish tank that brings me peace. The sound of the fountain-like flow from the filter into the tank’s water creates an atmosphere that is tranquil. I barely hear it, but it’s there, in the background.

 

The fish find the current and the structures to swim through. There was a point when I’d open the lid and they’d come to the top and I’d pet them. Yep, I used to pet my fish. They seemed to appreciate it because, though I know they were waiting for food, they hung out at the top while I’d talk to them and give them attention.

 

Odd… them and me, I know.

 

Today’s blog isn’t about my quirks, though. It’s about the other quirks we have in common. I really don’t like having to clean the tank. It’s almost an hour out of my day. It requires me to get wet and yucky, and I could be doing other more productive things.

 

So, even though I have “Fish Tank” listed on my priority to do list, I tell myself that I’ll do it tomorrow. Or the next day. I apologize to the fish as I feed them. “Sorry, I’ll make sure it’s on the calendar for tomorrow.”

 

It’s not a good way to treat my fish.

It’s not a good way to treat a business, either. 

 

And this is where you come in. 

The things you tell yourself you’ll get to because there are other things that need to get done first, those are the things that really, really need your attention.

 

Yes, the other things are pretty darn important too.

And, what have you been putting off doing?

 

How did you rationalize (ration of lies) the reason you didn’t do what you KNEW NEEDED to be done? 

 

More important, when you see it happen, how can you interrupt the process of putting it off?

 

A while back I had a mentor call this a “stopping strategy.” You get to a place where you’re in a good flow, and then… well, other things need your attention. 

 

You’ve got to stop stopping. NOTICE THE RESISTANCE.

What is it REALLY about?  And, more important, how do you overcome it?

In terms of electrical engineering, to overcome resistance, you add more energy. (Now in electrical engineering, you have resistors for a reason and don’t actually want to blow them out. But you can.)

In your world, when you encounter resistance, the way to overcome it is to give more energy to the thing you’re resisting. So I’m about to clean my fish tank and then jump on some calls. Then, I’m going to hit the treadmill. And I’m going to do all of this by putting focused energy where it needs to go before I clean up and jump on a podcast. 

 

Cool, right?

 

What are you doing in the next couple of hours?

 

FOCUS!!!

 

And have you resisted checking out my signature Exponential Success Summit? 

Maybe just maybe, it’s time! Now taking reservations for our next one coming up. Space really IS limited!

 

See you here next week!

Keep making your magic!

 

= Wayne = 

~ Dr P ~ 

 

Super Important Postscript – In cleaning the fish tank, I ended up breaking the lid and shattering the glass (of the lid, not the tank). I need a new lid which there’s an expense to. I need to spend some time cleaning up some glass. Which takes time from other things. Do I say, “If only I hadn’t cleaned the tank,” as if it’s the fish tank’s fault that more time and money need to be invested? 

Nope – THIS IS ALL PART OF THE PROCESS. Obstacles sometimes lead to other obstacles. Lean into the resistance and enjoy what you learn from it!