Everything we are, everything we are not, is all in some way or the other our own doing. We may not take responsibility for it. We may want to blame someone else for our misfortunes or blame the universe for dealing us a shitty hand. But even a modicum amount of self-introspection will boldly show the steps and actions we took or didn’t take that has to lead us to this point. And the sad truth is that it’s us. We are sabotaging our dreams.
Steven Pressfield calls it The Resistance. Seth Godin calls it The Lizard Brain. It’s our brain’s ability to prevent us from chasing our dreams. From taking a leap of faith. From setting goals and then achieving them. Whenever we want to try reach for the stars and chase our dreams, our brain comes up with fantastical reasons and excuses to keep us chained to the ground. It’s survival instincts kicks in, and it knows that in the attempt of reaching for the stars, we may fail. So it tries everything in its power to stop us from even trying. Procrastination, daydreaming, sabotage, sleep, laziness, exhaustion, hunger, boredom are just a few of the tricks that the lizard brain has up its sleeve.
The resistance grows in strength as we get closer to shipping, as we get closer to an insight, as we get closer to the truth of what we really want. That’s because the lizard hates change and achievement and risk. – Seth Godin
Some people are stronger and in time learn to overcome the lizard brain and chase their dreams.The rest only dream of a day when they can do just that. Instead, they walk the earth with bitter remorse of a life that never was. Never feeling quite complete.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. -Marianne Williamson
Recognize the enemy. Look where in your life is the resistance strongest. What are the goals that the resistance actively tries to destroy? Now that you know the enemy and its tricks, the question is what will you do about it.
Will you let the enemy win?
Kaushal Sadashiv 