Embracing Struggle: Using Resistance to Fulfill Your Potential

The concept of "resistance" is a powerful invisible force that plays a significant role in determining whether an individual fulfills their potential. This force can also be thought of as the "anti-you," the term Aubrey Marcus gave it in a recent newsletter to his audience.

For Aubrey Marcus, the anti-you is a version of yourself that seems to work against you, constantly testing your resolve while, paradoxically, serving as a tool that can propel you towards realizing your full potential.

It's in the crucible of resistance that personal growth, self-discovery, and transformation occur. In this post, we will explore the profound implications of resistance, emphasizing the importance of embracing struggle, finding meaning in adversity, and discovering your purpose.

The Nature of Resistance

Resistance as a universal law, is a concept often attributed to Steven Pressfield, the author of "The War of Art." According to Pressfield, resistance is the force that opposes our creative, productive, and transformative endeavors.

It manifests as self-doubt, procrastination, fear, and the myriad excuses we tell ourselves to avoid taking action. When you embark on a journey to fulfill your potential, resistance inevitably rears its head. It is the invisible adversary that tests your commitment and resolve.

The Anti-You: A Force Within

The "anti-you" is a term that encapsulates the idea that within every individual, there exists a version of themselves that actively works against their aspirations. It's as if there's a constant internal tug-of-war between the "real you" and this "anti-you." The "anti-you" thrives on doubt, insecurity, and the fear of failure, constantly trying to deter you from your path. However, understanding the "anti-you" is the first step in turning resistance into a powerful ally.

Embracing Struggle

Resistance often strikes when we're on the brink of significant change or about to venture outside our comfort zone. This is when self-doubt and fear intensify, discouraging us from taking the leap. However, the resistance you face is not an indication of your inadequacy; it's a testament to the significance of your goal.

Friedrich Nietzsche's famous quote, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," is an implicit acknowledgement of resistance as a timeless, universal force. Of course, we know that embracing struggle and confronting resistance head-on can lead to personal growth and profound self-discovery, but how do we set ourselves up to overcome it?

1. Honor Resistance as a Core Feature of the Hero's Journey:

• Understand that resistance is a natural part of the journey towards your potential.

• Acknowledge the fears and doubts that surface when you're about to take a significant step.

• Recognize resistance as a sign that you are going in the right direction.

• Using Marcus's metaphor, become very familiar with the anti-you in the mirror. This reflection is as attached to you as your shadow, might as well become well-acquainted.

2. At Whatever Pace You Choose, Move Forward:

• Don't let resistance dictate your actions or limit your potential.

• Use resistance as a catalyst for growth and self-improvement.

• It is not a race. Remember, resistance will be there tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, so there's no need to pretend that you secured victory.

• No matter how many times you must - begin again.

Finding Meaning in Struggle

The process of facing resistance and embracing struggle can be likened to a quest, a hero's journey. Joseph Campbell, a renowned 20th century mythologist, described the "hero's journey" as a narrative archetype that reflects the universal human experience. In the hero's journey, the hero faces trials and tribulations, but it is through these struggles that they find their purpose and attain their full potential.

It is archetypal because it is as old as literature and story-telling itself. The oldest forms of writing we have - the oldest stories ever told- all have heroes that have to face resistance on their journey. Once heroes embrace the struggle by facing the dragon (internal or external), the meaning behind such adversity becomes clear.

In the same vein, when you find meaning in your struggles, you transform resistance into a powerful ally. Viktor E. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and author of "Man's Search for Meaning," emphasized the importance of finding purpose in suffering.

He wrote, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." This profound insight underscores the idea that adversity and resistance can lead to personal transformation and the discovery of one's purpose.

Discovering Your Purpose

Resistance serves as a catalyst for self-discovery and the realization of your full potential. It is in the crucible of struggle that you have the opportunity to unearth your purpose.

Your purpose is not a fixed point but a journey of continuous exploration and refinement. As you overcome resistance and push beyond your comfort zone, you gain a clearer sense of what truly drives you and gives your life meaning. The obstacle then "becomes the way," as Ryan Holiday puts it in his book exploring the Stoics approach to difficulty. This shift in perspective that presents resistance as an opportunity truly changes the game.

As you seek to discover your purpose, remember the words of author Mark Twain: "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." Your journey of self-discovery, fueled by your ability to confront resistance, will lead you to that profound realization.

The Great Reward Beyond Resistance

Resistance may test your resolve and challenge your inner strength, but it also holds the promise of great rewards. When you persist through adversity and persevere in the face of self-doubt, you unlock doors to your fullest potential. Just as a sculptor chisels away the excess to reveal the masterpiece within, resistance allows you to uncover the remarkable person you are meant to be.

J.K. Rowling put it this way: "It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default." The "failures" that you encounter on your journey, the moments when resistance seems overwhelming, are the stepping stones to success. They are the guideposts to fulfilling your potential.

Conclusion

Resistance is a universal law that tests your resolve and commitment on the path to fulfilling your potential. It's the "anti-you." The force that opposes your aspirations. It is not an insurmountable obstacle, but rather, a necessary part of your personal growth journey.

Embrace struggle, find meaning in adversity, and discover your purpose through the challenges you face. In doing so, you transform resistance from an adversary into a powerful ally.

As you embark on your own hero's journey, remember that you have the power to change the way you see the setbacks you will inevitably encounter. Your friends and family may not understand your business model. Your spouse may think you're taking unnecessary risk. You may be experiencing crippling anxiety and a lack of confidence around the very thing you know you should be doing. Get up, and do it anyway. The reward is worth the pain.