Know and Conquer Mental Resistance.

How to Overcome Mental Resistance.

Mental resistance is normal but it doesn’t mean we will just accept it and not do anything about it. It is part of the defense system of our brain but once it knows that it is for the better, it will accept the change. With proper strategies, we can overcome ourselves and our mental resistance.

1. Identify the resistance and acknowledge it.

To solve any problems, the first step always is to acknowledge that there is something wrong and to identify what it is. By knowing what the problem is, we can then make plans on how to overcome this. 

In order to identify the mental resistance, be aware of yourself. When you are starting something, what do you usually do? 

Do you keep on planning but never pursue it? 
Or do you catch yourself doing something else?
Do you also notice that you’re tired easily? 

After answering this, write your answers down. Keep a list, and acknowledge that these are mental resistance. So, the next time you notice yourself doing what’s on your list, remind yourself that these are just the mental resistance. 

We can’t get rid of these obstacles but we can avoid getting stuck on them.

2. Set a goal and focus on this.

Having a goal is important to keep us on track. When we are changing, our goal should be to move forward. And moving forward does not necessarily mean moving straight. There will be lefts and rights, and this is definitely okay. The important thing is we reach our destination.  

Whenever we get sidetracked or lost, let’s remember our goal. 

Why are we changing a habit? To reach our goal.
Why are we making an effort to improve ourselves? To reach our goal.

With this in mind, we can push ourselves to get over the mental resistance. We just need to focus on our whys to lessen getting lost and sidetracked.

3. Plan and Prepare

Now that we know our resistance and goal, it is time to make a plan. Stretch and crack those bones because fighting your mind can be so challenging.

To reach your goals, you need a plan on how to do this. What are the steps you’ll take to reach it? What things will you need? When and where will you work on this? And once you have a plan, as much as possible stick to it but don’t forget to be flexible when needed. 

Aside from planning on how to reach your goal, you also need to prepare for the obstacles. And one of the most challenging obstacles will be fighting your mental resistance. Because this is your brain, it can be easy to be defeated by it. 

If you know your mental resistance, you should also know how to avoid it or how to get out of it. But, as we know, it is easier to prevent getting sucked by it so let’s avoid it as much as possible.

For example, whenever I start getting productive, my thoughts go somewhere else. This means I am easily distracted by my own thoughts. I would plan things to do for later, or daydream. So, what I do is have a paper and pen ready. Then, whenever I think of something else, I write them down and then get myself to work. Later when I am done, I can look at the things I wrote.

4. Take one step at a time.

No matter how motivated and determined we are, we will not develop a habit in an instance. We will just disappoint ourselves if we think that we can improve ourselves immediately. And we might end up worse than before we started. 

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It is a continuous process. 

Rushing is never a good idea in growth. It can just mentally and physically exhaust us. When we are rushing, there will be many things that we’ll miss and we won’t be able to enjoy the process. Sometimes, rushing can hurt us.

So, let’s take small steps until we learn how to run. 

The good thing about our brain is that we can train it. It just needs to get used to the idea of change first, and then that change will be the new normal.