Resistance. It’s the dragon standing between you and what you want most. You might not see it or touch it, but you feel it—every time you procrastinate, doubt yourself, or settle for “safe” instead of stepping up. Steven Pressfield, in Do the Work, gives Resistance a name and teaches us how to fight it. For leaders juggling responsibilities and ambitions, mastering this battle is critical.
Resistance doesn’t just block creativity; it sabotages progress. Understanding it—and beating it—can transform how you lead, create, and live.
The Nature of Resistance
Pressfield describes Resistance as an invisible force that arises whenever we pursue something meaningful. It’s the voice whispering, “Not today. You’re not ready. What if you fail?” Whether you’re launching a project, writing a book, or driving change in your organization, Resistance thrives on fear and self-doubt.
Resistance is cunning. It tells you to wait until you’ve done more research or until conditions are perfect. It loves procrastination. And it’s universal—everyone feels it, no matter how accomplished. Even Henry Fonda threw up before performances well into his 70s.
The key takeaway? Resistance is inevitable, but it’s not unbeatable. Recognizing it for what it is—a natural response to meaningful work—gives you the upper hand.
Start Before You’re Ready
One of Pressfield’s boldest recommendations is to start before you feel prepared. Why? Because preparation often becomes a crutch, an excuse to delay. Leaders especially fall into this trap, thinking they need more data, more approvals, or more time before taking action.
But let’s be honest: You’re never truly ready. The fear of starting never goes away. The trick is to start anyway. Begin messy, incomplete, and imperfect. Courage begets more courage, and momentum is your greatest ally against Resistance.
W.H. Murray summed it up best:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness… Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
Boldness doesn’t mean recklessness; it means trusting yourself to figure it out as you go.
The Enemy Within
Resistance isn’t external—it’s internal. It’s that nagging voice in your head telling you you’re not good enough. Worse, it often disguises itself as rational thought. It whispers, “You’re just being practical,” when really, it’s fear in disguise.
This is especially dangerous for leaders. Rationalizing inaction can stall innovation, halt difficult conversations, and keep you tethered to the status quo.
Pressfield argues that this inner critic isn’t you—it’s a force acting on you. Recognizing this separation is liberating. You’re not weak or incapable; you’re battling an enemy every leader faces. Knowing this puts you back in control.
Tools for Battling Resistance
How do you beat Resistance? By rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. Here are some practical strategies:
1. Stay Primitive
Pressfield says creativity and innovation are born in chaos, not order. Forget perfectionism and embrace the mess. The first draft of anything will be rough, whether it’s a pitch, a strategy, or a product. The goal is progress, not perfection.
2. Break It Down
Big projects intimidate because they’re overwhelming. Break your work into small, manageable chunks. Write the first paragraph. Draft the opening slide. Call one client. Starting small builds momentum, and momentum beats Resistance every time.
3. Commit to Consistency
The battle against Resistance isn’t won in a day. It’s a daily fight. Show up, even when you don’t feel like it. As Pressfield notes, “Resistance will always be there. But so will you.” Consistency builds habits, and habits create results.
4. Ask the Right Questions
When stuck, ask, “What is this about?” Whether you’re writing, strategizing, or solving a problem, clarity about your goal cuts through Resistance. Keep refining your focus until the path forward becomes clear.
Embrace the Messy Middle
Resistance doesn’t just show up at the start—it’s there in the messy middle when momentum stalls, enthusiasm wanes, and doubts resurface. Pressfield calls this “the wall,” the point where most projects die.
For leaders, this is when teams lose focus, budgets tighten, or market conditions change. The solution? Expect the mess. Know it’s coming, and lean into it. This is where growth happens.
The key is manufacturing motivation. Break the inertia by celebrating small wins, refocusing on the end goal, or revisiting your why. The messy middle isn’t a failure; it’s the bridge to something better.
Why Fear of Success is Real
One surprising insight from Pressfield is that fear of success can be stronger than fear of failure. Success comes with exposure, judgment, and higher stakes. It’s tempting to sabotage yourself to avoid these pressures.
But playing small doesn’t serve anyone—not you, your team, or your business. Great leaders push through the fear of success because they recognize it for what it is: Resistance’s last stand.
As Marianne Williamson said:
“Your playing small does not serve the world… As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Keep Working
The ultimate lesson? Keep going. Resistance never disappears, but it loses power the more you act. Take one step, then another. Build momentum. Finish what you start.
Success isn’t about talent or inspiration—it’s about persistence. Even when the work feels impossible, even when you doubt yourself, show up. As Pressfield says, “The professional keeps working. The amateur quits.”
Final Thoughts: The Courage to Create
Resistance will always be there, lurking in the background. But you don’t have to let it win. Recognize it. Respect it. Then get to work anyway.
Whether you’re launching a business, writing a book, or leading a team, the battle against Resistance is the same. It’s fought in small daily actions, in choosing courage over fear, and in showing up even when it’s hard.
The good news? Every step you take makes you stronger. And once you’ve beaten Resistance once, you’ll know you can do it again.
As Pressfield says, the universe rewards boldness. Start before you’re ready. The rest will follow