Combating Resistance

After the Introduction to Resistance, Characteristics and Symptoms of Resistance, here comes the second final part- Combating Resistance.

In the book, the author introduces the idea of the amateur versus the professional or pro. Here the 'professional' or 'pro' means an ideal; not the doctors or lawyers, those of 'the professions'.

All of us are pros in one area: our jobs. We get a paycheck. We work for money. We are professionals.

Now: Are there principles we can take from what we're already successfully doing in our workaday life and apply to our artistic aspirations? What exactly are the qualities that define us as professionals?

1. We show up every day. We might do it only because we have to, to keep from getting fired. But we do it. We show up every day.
   

2. We show up no matter what. In sickness and in health, come hell or high water; we might do it for less noble reasons. But we do it. We show up no matter what.
   

3. We stay on the job all day. Our minds may wander, but our bodies remain at the wheel.
   

4. We are committed over the long haul. Next year we may go to another job, another company, another country. But we'll still be working. Until we hit the lottery, we are part of the labour force.
   

5. We accept remuneration for our labour. We're not here for fun. We work for money.
   

6. We do not overidentify with our jobs. We may take pride in our work, we may stay late and come in on weekends, but we recognize that we are not our job descriptions.
   

7. We have a sense of humour about our jobs.
   

8. We receive praise or blame in the real world.

Now consider the amateur in you: the aspiring painter, the wannabe guitarist, the desiring cook or the ambitious entrepreneur. How does he pursue his calling?

One, he doesn't show up every day.

Two, he doesn't show up no matter what.

Three, he doesn't stay on the job all day.

He is not committed over the long haul.

He does not get money. And he overidentifies with his art.

He does not have a sense of humour about failure.

You don't hear him bitching, "This damn project is killing me!" Instead, he doesn't work on his project at all.

Many aspects of a professional have been shared by the author like the professional being patient, prepared, self-validating, accepting no excuses, not showing off, recognising the limitations, not being afraid to ask for help, not taking failure or success personally, and so on.

However, there is a simple act we can start doing!

Many of us are familiar with daily status meetings/standups in the workplace. The team gathers, and the manager or scrum master goes over all of the pending or upcoming tasks with everyone. When the meeting concludes, the individuals know what has to be done for the day/week.

Have such meetings with yourself!

for your amateur side. Maybe once a day, maybe once a week.

Ask yourself-

What did I do yesterday?

Did I complete it?

If not, then why not?

What will I be doing today?

My favourite lines:

There's no mystery to turning pro. It's a decision brought about by an act of will. We make up our minds to view ourselves as pros and we do it. Simple as that.

Happy Reading !