Reflection: Redirection
How to grow and overcome resistance
In the midst of redirection, keep your perspective open - Inky Johnson
I just reread The War of Art by Steven Pressfield where he talks about overcoming the obstacles that prevent meaningful change and growth. Steven talks about creating a love for your craft, not the external rewards as well as trusting the process. He eludes to patience, perseverance and consistency as being the key components to growing.
Growth is about stepping into an expanded vision of yourself—whether that means becoming more mindful, living simply, cultivating self-compassion, or embracing discipline in your work. Each of these aspirations represents a new, broader identity, one that stretches beyond the limits of how you’ve previously seen yourself.
Yet, the old self has a gravitational pull. It resists change, clinging to familiar patterns and offering convincing excuses to stay the same. For example:
Simplicity? The old self keeps you distracted, lost in habits.
Discipline? The procrastinator in you resists effort, avoiding challenges.
Trying something new? Comfort whispers, "This is awkward—just quit."
Quitting a bad habit? The old self bargains: "Just once won’t hurt."
The struggle isn’t a lack of willpower—it’s the resistance, it’s the tension between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.
A Path Forward
1. Define Your Expanded Self
It could be small ("I wake up 30 minutes earlier")
Clarify why this vision matters. Then commit to acting as this expanded version of yourself.
2. Act—Even When It Feels Unnatural
New actions rewrite your identity. If you’ve always seen yourself as an introvert but start engaging with strangers daily, the old identity weakens.
Be uncomfortable, until it becomes comfortable
Embody the feeling of your expanded self
3. Observe the Pullback
Fear will resist every step forward. When you sign up to speak publicly, your mind will fabricate reasons to cancel. Notice:
The physical sensations (dread, tension).
The mental scripts ("Skip just this once…").
Get curious. Write it down. Awareness loosens fear’s grip.
4. Respond with Compassion—Then Act Tiny
Fear isn’t your enemy—it’s a protective of the old self. Acknowledge, Breathe. Then take a small action. Even a micro-step creates momentum.
The Takeaway
Growth isn’t about fighting yourself—it’s about practicing a new way of being, overcoming the resistance, action by action. Each time you choose the new over the old, you reinforce a truer version of who you’re becoming.
Start small. Stay curious. Repeat.