Three Reasons Why You Should Try to Push Past Resistance to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Resisting/Sabotaging

So many of us set up goals and ambitious projects that do not get finished. There are numerous reasons for this too:

• Too much work.
• Cannot get motivated.
• Tired
• Etc.

In fact, it is quite common to experience resistance to something like a task or project that will take much effort.

I want to share an experience I had a few years ago while attending college. I had to research and write an article for a thesis.

Surprisingly, I do not particularly enjoy writing, but the fact that English is not my first language made the task so much more challenging. Even though I am able to write decently, it takes me much longer than others and requires more effort than most.

Prior to this assignment, I had never had to complete a research article as challenging as that one. I struggled throughout the process because it took so much effort out of me. I have to confess that I hated the assignment from beginning to end. I felt tormented by it. I was grumpy and kept asking myself, “why in the world did I get myself into this”?

I seriously disliked the task I had ahead of me, and I knew that because I was so out of my comfort zone that my lazy brain would keep resisting me tooth and nail – my brain didn’t want to do the work.

But I persevered and applied so many of my mindfulness repertoire of strategies to defuse the anxiety that this big project was generating.

But the moment I finished the project I had an aha moment!

As soon as I finished writing that article, I felt such relief! And my first thought was that it really was not that bad after all. And at that moment I realized I had learned so much about myself and experienced tremendous growth, but at the same time I was really surprised to feel that way (especially after all the discomfort and grumpiness).

It all comes down to the basic principle of how the brain works: the brain seeks all things that are exciting and pleasurable and it tries to avoid pain. Basically, the brain just gets motivated by things that are interesting or exciting (seeks pleasure).

On the other hand, when there is a task that will take considerable effort and it is not as exciting and may be perceived as difficult, you may experience resistance.

Why? This is how the brain works. The brain tries to conserve energy at all costs.

So, I encourage everyone of you to keep pushing through those projects that may feel unpleasant and out of your comfort zone.

• Have you ever experienced “RESISTANCE” and ended up sabotaging your project?  If so, what strategy did you use to get back on the wagon and overcome it?

Here are some strategies I suggest:

• Use play to make the project as enjoyable as possible (be playful, use your imagination- be creative!)
• Jaak Panksepp, who was a visionary and a practical thinker, made positive states like playfulness, laughter, love, and joy the legitimate subjects of neuroscience research.

To learn more about the “Panksepp Method” CLICK HERE

• In addition, research shows other useful tools that can help motivate our lazy brains: one of the strategies is to write it on paper!

** People that write their intention to complete a project, set goals and develop a plan to carry it through, are 85% more likely to accomplish and finish their project.

In short conclusion, below are three things you will experience when pushing past resistance to get out of your comfort zone. You will experience amazing:

1 – Growth

2 – Reward

3 – Increase in self-esteem

To amazing growth!

Fanny

** More on this topic coming soon!