How to Overcome Internal Resistance (With Brain Science)

For writers, artists and others in the creative professions, the greatest enemy is often not external resistance (although that can be plenty discouraging), but internal resistance.

While external resistance can be disapproval from others, negative feedback, or even active sabotage, internal resistance comes from within.

When we procrastinate and avoid work, do we ever consider what is really going on inside our heads? More importantly, do we know how to manage it?

I believe that with some knowledge of brain science, we can find ways to overcome this internal resistance with less struggle.

What is Internal Resistance?

Sometimes when I write, I sit down at my work table and just stare into space. I'm sure you've experienced something similar too.

Have you ever felt like your mind goes blank? And that even though you need to write or create something right away, you resist. You feel uncomfortable, irritable, or even tired.

So you do something like read more blogs or play solitaire on your computer (which leads to more guilt later).

This is an example of internal resistance like when you tell yourself "no" instead of "yes", which stops you from doing something you know you should be doing.

This happens even when you're not engaged in creative work. For example, when you need to clean your home or do some other chore, you feel overwhelmed and want to go do something much more fun instead.

Another example is when your work is going well, but you find yourself distracted by email or Facebook, or other unimportant things.

So, let's look at a bit of brain science to help you understand why you get such urges to avoid creative work.

Meet the 'Lizard Brain'

The most primitive portion of our brain is sometimes called the 'lizard brain'. It consists of the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala which form the limbic system.

It's responsible for our safety and protection. And it's in charge of the 'fight or flight' instinct as well as other functions.

This part of our brain doesn't like change. It doesn't like new things or novel situations. It wants to keep us safe and comfortable, it wants the way we do things every day to stay the same.

This is why when you sit down at your desk to write a blog post or a book, your lizard brain starts screaming "no!" loud and clear because what you are doing is unfamiliar. And it could lead to life changes that seem scary because they're unknown.

Better steer clear of that! Instead, let's go check email...

In addition, this part of our brain can get stuck in negative emotions from the past—like fear from a scary situation long ago—and doesn't know how to move into a different feeling state for a happier outcome regarding current circumstances.

This is why sometimes when you start working on something creative like starting a business, painting, or going outside to take photographs, you feel extreme reluctance.

The brain activates the same feelings of dread when we try something safe but new just as if we were wandering down an unknown forest path. How interesting is that!

How to override the Lizard Brain

Now that we know what's happening in our minds, we need to look at ways to overcome such internal resistance.

Fortunately, just because we live with a system that likes us to stay huddled under the covers, it doesn't mean that we have to listen. As human beings, we're ever-evolving and malleable. And we can retrain the lizard brain through constant practice.

Here are the simple ways you can override internal resistance:

• Meditate. The more you meditate, the sooner you'll see lasting effects and the ability to move past resistance.
• Find your most productive time and work during that time
• Create a morning routine to get yourself ready for the day
• Experiment with different ways of working such as in silence, at a local coffee shop, or setting aside certain days for creative work and other days for administrative tasks
• Use positive affirmations and indulge in random messages of self-encouragement
• Practice mindfulness with your creative work by focusing on the present moment
• Visualize yourself working productively even when you don't feel like it at first
• Get enough sleep for your body to be well-rested and able to overcome internal resistance with ease
• Pray, if that's something that you already do and it appeals to you

These are some ways you can overcome internal resistance and create change that enhances your life. But the most critical thing is to know what your brain is doing.

When you understand that your brain is only trying to protect you (even if it's being overly dramatic), it will help you process your feelings more easily. You'll stop feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and the urge to procrastinate.

Conclusion

Creative work is hard. It's scary. It's uncertain. And it's often accompanied by feelings of dread and anxiety. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it! With a bit of brain science under your belt, you can understand why these emotions crop up, and you have some tools to help you overcome them. I hope the tips in this article will get you started on the path to productive creative living.