Resilience to Resistance
Stuck
“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.” -The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
When we cannot overcome procrastination, we can become stuck.
A fundamentalist is a person believing in strict and literal interpretations of subjects and disciplines. In contrast, an artist is a person who produces and practices a variety of creative arts and skills.
Resistance is the difference between a fundamentalist and an artist.
When a fundamentalist loses control to resistance, it breaks the strict barriers that they follow. The production of an artist bends and manifests new interpretations of literal interpretations.
Technique
To attempt to tap into the focus and flow of creativity, Pomodoro Technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo, uses time in intervals to reduce the impact of interruptions to focus and flow. This method helps fight resistance to the work that needs to be done.
The original concept is :
Decide what task to do.
Set timer for 25 Minutes
Work on the task
End the work the timer is done
Take a 3–5 minute break.
Repeat setting timer to 25 minutes
After four sets (4x25 minutes) take 15–30 minute break
There are variations to this method. Using intervals of 90 minutes rather than 25 minutes and natural periods related to your life (between meals, or until the laundry is done).
Flow time is a variation that monitors natural productivity periods, and based on the results, curate the best system for yourself.
For example, I work on my writing and ideas/inspiration in the morning.
Wake up between 7–9 AM
Coffee and meditation walk for about 30 minutes
Write with background sounds (Endel, or LoFi beats) for 30 minutes
After 30 minutes cup of coffee, and relax for 5–10 minutes.
Return to writing and studying for 30 Minutes.
Relax 5–10 minutes
Return to writing and researching for 30 Minutes.
Relax 5–10 minutes
Return to writing and studying for 30 Minutes.
Review Work
During this time usually brings me to around 12:30PM or 1:30PM. This is my flow time for writing.
I have a separate flow time dancing and practicing. Depending on my motivation or body, I start practice between 2–4PM. I pick one thing I want to focus on in dance.
For example, if I want to work on head spins, I spend 30 minutes on that.
Stretching my neck, preparing my body for head spins.
After I take a break and reward myself with dancing freely, for 15 minutes.
Spend another 30 minutes on head spins.
Stretch and relax.
Each day is different, and does not always go smoothly. There are some days where other work has to be done as well. This is just an example of how to implement the concept into your days. This technique has also taught me patience. An Artist overcomes resistance to create.
“The truly free individual is only free to the extent of their own self-mastery” -Socrates
“The paradox seems to be, as Socrates demonstrated long ago, that the truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery. While those who will not govern themselves are condemned.” -The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
