Why Emotional and Creative Work Requires Dancing With Resistance (Not Fighting It)

You sit at your desk late at night, the blank page staring back. You know you should write that speech or email, but every fiber pushes you to scroll your phone instead. That irritating, humming resistance isn't laziness—it's the sound of your instincts protecting you from risk or embarrassment.

Many people assume resistance is a sign to stop, to change directions, or to aim lower. But the most accomplished creators and leaders feel just as much fear and uncertainty as anyone—they simply treat resistance as a signal they're on to something important. Seth Godin calls it the 'screaming lizard brain,' a protective force evolved to keep us away from danger but also away from growth.

In reality, research shows that resistance and anxiety increase in direct proportion to the value and intimacy of the effort you're about to make. If you’re about to play small, you barely feel resistance. If you’re about to risk connection, failure, or creativity, the voice grows louder.

Learning to notice, befriend, and use resistance like a compass transforms it from adversary to ally. Instead of dreading the sensation, you can say, 'Here it is—this must matter.' Then, act anyway.

Watch where internal resistance arises. When it appears around something you believe is important, gently lean in—send the email, launch the post, or ask for feedback. Note what happens each time as evidence, not judgment. Remind yourself that the presence of resistance signals you’re doing the work that counts. Give it a try the next time fear pops up.