The Productive Samurai: How to Bust Through Resistance

Have you accomplished everything you’ve ever dreamed of accomplishing? Does creativity flow from you easily and effortlessly? Do you take ideas and quickly turn them into productive actions? You must teach us your ways.

The truth is, all of us struggle deeply and internally when it comes to realizing our goals. Our inner voice is usually a critic that tells us we aren’t smart enough, creative enough, or talented enough. What if it’s no good? What if I’m no good? What if I fail? This is what we call Resistance, and it’s often our greatest obstacle to achieving our dreams.

At PDA Summer Camp in Colorado Springs, some of our tribe members showed us how to bust through Resistance, drawing inspiration from Steven Pressfield’s “The War of Art” with a martial arts demonstration. Our own Financial Controller, Kari Stoddard, has been practicing martial arts since high school and is proud to have earned her Senior Red Belt – only two away from the distinguished Black Belt – through hard work and dedication to the practice. Kari recently started practicing with her nine-year-old son, teaching him all she’s learned while showing him that girls can kick just as much butt as boys.

“Trying new things and putting yourself out there is scary, especially if it’s something that goes against the grain of what society expects from you, particularly as a woman. Getting into martial arts was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Overcoming that barrier of fear allowed me to develop discipline and confidence, and made future walls of resistance a little easier to break through,” says Kari.

Resistance is Proportional to Love

Think about a goal you have that gives you the most Resistance. Whatever you are most afraid to do is probably the thing you love and care about the most. If you’re a new dentist fresh out of dental school, I bet you’re facing a lot of Resistance right now, wondering how you will ever be able to build your own practice and be successful. How will I afford to buy a practice? How will I ever pay off my debt? What if I don’t get any patients in my chairs? There’s clearly a lot of love and passion there, there’s a reason you went through dental school and came out with a degree. This is what you want.

So, how can we bust through Resistance?

1. Define your dreams. What is it you want most in life? What are you most afraid to do?
2. Stay committed to your craft. Remember this is your dream and it will take a lot of hard work and dedication. The most rewarding things we do are always the most challenging.
3. Accept that Resistance is something you’re going to have to live with, and the best way to prevent it from crippling you is to face it, feel it, and take action in spite of it.

The most important thing to remember is that you are in charge of your own life. If you don’t like the current situation you are in, know that you and only you have the power to change it. The longer we procrastinate, the greater power we give to Resistance. Choose to steer your life in a better direction. Not tomorrow, not next week, not when the timing is right. The time is now!

Whether you’re a new doctor starting out, you’ve hit a mid-career slump, or you’re ready to expand and take your practice to the next level, PDA | Marketing Group has all of the tools, resources, and motivation you need to help you set and accomplish your goals. We’re your biggest cheerleaders, and we’re here to help you break through resistance, be more productive and live with bushido –  “the way of the warrior” – in both your professional and personal life. Give us a call today to become a Productive Samurai! (888) 732-2810