There's excitement that surrounds every new year, but 2015 just feels different. Doesn't it?
The energy on my end is so intense.
I wake up every morning feeling a surge of excitement. Yet at the same time feeling an inner peace like never before in knowing, with every fabric of my being, that this is going to be one amazing year.
Like you, I made a list of intentions for 2015. Intentions that will take my world to new heights and push myself to new limits.
My truth: I believe that my intentions and your intentions (whatever they may be) are absolutely possible IF we simply take action each and every day. Ah yes, we do need to actually work to achieve what we want. And what that "work" looks like is going to be different for each of us.
The key is consistency. You know, just as well as I know, that:
- A new body isn't going to take shape with a few workouts.
- True nourishment isn't going to be achieved from a week of "good" meals.
- Juicing for a day isn't going to give you that radiant glow.
- Taking a few yoga classes or meditating once or twice isn't going to eliminate the stress in your life and bring you inner peace.
- And the list goes on...
So how do you feed off this abundance of energy that 2015 brings, and really, truly make your intentions STICK this year?
The answer is as simple as it is difficult: Overcome Resistance, Every Day!
About a year and a half ago, I read The War of Art and it has completely changed my mindset. I now make my intentions a reality.
You see, most of us have two lives. The one we live and the one we want to live ... And what stands between the two is an enemy named Resistance.
I personally suffer from idea obesity. And I am quite "intention setting" happy -- meaning, I really like to challenge myself with intentions. Not just in the new year, but constantly, I am pushing myself to the next step. At the time when I read this book, I was struggling immensely with following through; with making my "brilliant" ideas come to fruition. I was continuously failing and even worse, feeling like a failure.
While I had lots of reasons why my intentions weren't happening the way I envisioned, it really came down to these three:
- If only I had more time.
- If only I had some help.
- If only I had more energy.
These I have learned are really just excuses. Damn good ones, but excuses nonetheless. You see, we actually have more than enough time, more than enough help (if we are willing to ask) and an infinite source of energy.
It's true, you do.
While nourishment, supplementing and movement all contribute to feeling energized and alive, there's nothing that fuels the soul more than living your passion and feeding an idea. Most people don't ever get to experience the energy that comes from within because of their own personal Resistance fighting back at them. You see, Resistance is very, very real. It will bury your intention before you get it on paper. It will stop you in your tracks from making your dreams happen.
The book's author, Steven Pressfield, writes "Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root to more unhappiness ... To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we were born to be."
Now that I am mindful that I have this negative force working against me every minute of the day, trying to distract and prevent me from achieving my goals, my intentions, I know how to mentally overcome it. The mind is so powerful when we know how to use it.
I now know how to tell Resistance to kiss my ass. Seriously. It is a conversation that I have daily, especially:
When I want to hit the snooze button.
When I want to skip out on juicing.
When I want to skip a workout.
When I feel like watching TV.
When I avoid an item on my "to-do" list.
When I "can't" write.
When I find myself procrastinating, such as scrolling through my Facebook Newsfeed absentmindedly.
When I desire food that's less than nourishing.
Whenever I "want" to do any of those things above, or anything that's non-productive to my day or my health, I know that's Resistance tugging at me. Trying to derail me from my goals.
If you still don't believe it's real, let's think for a moment...
Have you ever got completely dressed in your workout clothes, shoes and all, and somehow convinced yourself that you would just make up for it tomorrow, working twice as hard or twice as long?
Have you ever bought all the organic foods you needed to start a juicing program, and then each day told yourself that you would start your regimen the following day?
Have you been trying to quit coffee for a while, and maybe you did successfully quit for a week or two, but then somehow that coffee finds its way back in your morning mug?
Have you ever started a new diet regimen, lost a few pounds, told yourself that you deserved a few cheats, and gained it all back?
Or perhaps, you are working on a book or a big project and believe you suffer from "writer's block" and you can't seem to get the words on paper. Is it a "block" or did you just stop writing?
"Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard or smelled. But it can be felt. We experience it as an energy field radiating from a work-in-potential. It's a repelling force. It's negative. Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work." -- Steven Pressfield
If you want your 2015 intentions to come true, you must overcome Resistance every day. From this point forward, be mindful that its there, it does exist. It is a force of nature. It is a force to be reckoned with!
So, how do I overcome Resistance?
My favorite way to break through Resistance barriers is using affirmations. Each of my intentions has its own affirmation. I write these in my journal, my planner, on sticky notes that are placed throughout my home, on my computer desktop, on my workout calendar, on the fridge -- everywhere! Using affirmations is absolutely powerful in keeping the mind in check and staying one step ahead of Resistance.
Here's some examples of affirmations that work for me:
Everything I touch turns to gold and more.
I have more than enough time.
I am a money magnet! Money flows in my life effortlessly.
All that I seek is already within me.
I deserve the best, and I accept it now.
I feel energized like never before, I am active and alive.
I do what I say and am stronger every day.
I invite you to find your energy within, take action today and feed your intentions. As the days, weeks, months go by, you will be amazed at how many times you mentally overcame the Resistance that crossed your path. More importantly, you'll be awestruck at how much closer your intentions are now to becoming a reality.
As the saying goes, this is YOUR life, not a dress rehearsal. Go on now, make happen whatever it is that you desire. 2015 is all yours!
Tonya Holcomb is a passionate Holistic Health Coach and real foodie with one mission in mind: To guide busy moms towards their most nourished and balanced selves. Through her health coaching programs, she specializes in helping moms achieve desired weight-loss goals and adopt Natural Living through all aspects of life. Tonya is a true example of a busy, entrepreneurial spirited wife and mother who always makes time for her health! Get to know her at LikeMindedMamas.com.