You have a creative idea that you can’t wait to start on. For me, it’s a book.
The possibilities for success are endless and you feel invigorated and inspired by the work you are about to do. You start. You make lists. You cross things off your lists and, for the first little while, you give it your all.
You tell everyone what you are doing. Your excitement continues to build.
You can see your future and it is lovely.
Suddenly the end is near! You can see the finish line in sight.
Instead of being inspired to keep going; you want to quit.
The voices in your head question your value, the project’s value, and whether it will really be a success. You realize you are afraid of failing, and maybe even more afraid of success.
What if….
What if things go horribly wrong after all that work? What will people think? How will you face them?
What if things go incredibly well and suddenly you are busier than you imagined and you have a crazy abundance of opportunity at your door?
Either way…
The fear of both success and failure brings up resistance that can paralyze you. <— CLICK TO TWEET
Steven Pressfield writes about resistance in his book, “The War of Art”.
If it weren’t for his book, I am not sure I would have recognized resistance in myself.
My book was almost done.
I sat in front of my computer and it took me 45 minutes to edit three pages. I would float between Facebook, email and editing. I would check Skype and text messages on my iPhone…
This is procrastination on steroids.
Why?
Fear…
Fear that no one will buy the book.
Fear that people will say it isn’t good.
Fear that I won’t be able to get any media attention.
Fear that people will criticize my ideas.
The list is long and I can rationalize how irrational my fears are but the truth is they are there.
Part of me is afraid to share this with you too. Here I am a “leader” who has a “successful” business and I am “afraid” that my book won’t be a success.
I share because I want you to know the truth. You are not alone in your fears. We all have them.
I wanted and needed to play during the upcoming weekend. I negotiated what work would get done now, and what would get done later.
The important thing is, I did some work.
Action creates momentum.
Resistance would like for you to completely stop taking action and the only way to beat it is to take some type of action.
I knew that one page of edits per day would eventually complete my book. It may have taken longer than I anticipated but by forcing myself to do one page a day – it eventually got done.
Here’s the magic. When I started and I committed to doing one page, I ended up doing five or ten because action creates momentum.
As long as you do something, resistance won’t win.
What are you putting off and resisting in your business right now? Is it numbers, product launches, sales, the tough conversations with clients or your team?
If you’re looking for a community that will inspire and give you real, honest input on your business, join the Profit Primer and get access to a Facebook community of your peers, free webinars and training and the support you’re looking for.
Learn more here —> www.LisaLarter.com/ProfitPrimer
A LIVE 5-MONTH COHORT WITH LISA LARTER · STARTS AUG 4, 2026