It was the cardio day for me at the gym yesterday. I love to run on the treadmill and push through the routine on the elliptical machine. I also love the other cardio exercises like side-stepper-jump, jumping jacks, etc. However, I dread the 60 weighted-burpees. I am thinking of it right from the time I enter the gym. It's on my mind on the treadmill and the cross-trainer. I want to avoid it. It is a fact that burpees are a full-body exercise and work on many muscle groups at a time. The benefits are immense. Yet, I need to use all my will power and do self-talk to complete the burpees.
In our personal as well as professional life, we hate to do some things. We experience mental resistance and avoid them. Genetically, our brains are wired for the fight or flight response. It has helped human beings survive and grow. That is the reason we are inclined to avoid stuff that we find difficult. Seth Godin calls it our lizard brain. Whenever we encounter something unfamiliar or something that is perceived as unpleasant, our lizard brain squeaks. We experience internal resistance, and we avoid that path. However, most often, innovation and development are found on the path of most resistance.
Therefore, whenever we experience resistance, be cautious, and check whether it is based on fear of the unknown or a clearly identified risk. In most instances, you will find that it is the former. Calm your lizard brain and move against the resistance. Seth Godin uses a classic term for this phase. He calls it learning to dance with fear. The moment we experience resistance, we should become excited. It is a signal that we are on to something innovative and path-breaking.
Metrics:
List the things that you are avoiding in your life. It could be one of the several things like making customer calls, dieting, exercising, finishing reports, settling a dispute with a friend or a colleague.
Ask yourself, is your avoidance based on a sound judgment of the risk, or is it your lizard brain squeaking.
Just silence your lizard brain and tackle one thing after another.
Use this reminder every time you experience discomfort or resistance.
Congratulations on embarking on this exciting journey!
Subodh
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