Why Your Brain Resists Change (and How to Move Through It)

Every successful woman encounters resistance every time she grows.

For self-actualized women like you and me, resistance is sneaky. It shows up in subtle ways, protecting you from change before you even notice it's there. And no amount of coaching or knowing that "magic happens outside your comfort zone" will make it disappear, because resistance is encoded in your DNA.

The conflict in your wiring

As you grow and make your next million, your system (your mind-body, aka your nervous system) is committed to keeping you exactly the same. This is why 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by February.

Nothing changes until you do, which means you're going to spend a lot of time in the unfamiliar. And your wiring treats the unfamiliar as a threat, even when you are CLEAR that you want it.

The part of your brain that houses your fear response hasn't evolved since we were running from prehistoric animals. So while you're moving toward your dreams, your system is yelling, "PUMP THE BRAKES, SHE'S GOING TO DIE, KEEP HER THE SAME!"

You see your dreams. Your system sees a death threat.

Resistance's secret weapon is subtlety

Resistance works so well because it seems so reasonable. Early on, mine showed up as blank brain and confusion. I'd sit at my desk faking the funk, reorganizing my to-do list and answering non-urgent emails. Answering emails is responsible, right? But to see it for what it was, I had to get deeply honest about my priorities and take radical responsibility for my vision.

Now when I notice it, I put my hand on my heart and remind myself, "You're changing the world, Tracy. Your team and your certified practitioners need you to sit your a** down and finish the task."

This is why staying connected to the woman you're becoming matters so much. Ask yourself: Is this choice bringing me closer to my vision or taking me further from it?

Resistance's six favorite disguises

1. Disempowering, low-level thinking

“I don’t know how.” “I’m not ready.” “This is too hard.” “Who am I to do this?” Some people call this imposter syndrome. I call it a lie, a series of fear-based thoughts that only become real if you choose to subscribe to them.

2. Confusion or lack of clarity

If you let yourself be clear, you'd know how to move forward. So your brain says, NOPE, you're confused, better stop working early.

3. Overwhelm

Picture a net falling over you and dragging you to the floor. Women are socialized to people-please and overcommit, so when you're committed to everyone else, overwhelm feels completely justified.

4. Lack of motivation

I'm bored, or I'm too advanced for this strategy anyway. That's resistance keeping you from the thing and pumping up your ego at the same time. If you're losing interest in something that moves you toward your vision, it's resistance.

5. Distraction or shiny object syndrome

You switch the laundry, wash the dishes, check your email, and walk the dog. It's not like you're binge-watching Netflix, and that's what makes it so sneaky. Ask yourself if these tasks are the most valuable use of your energy right now.

6. Blank brain

Writer's block is so widely accepted that people nod sympathetically when you mention it. But you're a creative, experienced woman. When you breathe deeply, put your hand on your heart, and let go of judging your ideas as they come; they rush toward you like a river.

The green light you didn't ask for

If you feel resistance, it's because you're changing, which is exactly what you must do to realize your vision. It sounds cheesy, and it's true: Resistance is a green light, not a stop sign.

The next time overwhelm or blank brain shows up, pause and ask yourself whether it's actually a problem, or whether it's resistance showing up because you're growing.

Related articles by Tracy Litt:

Why Successful Women Hit an Invisible Ceiling, and Where Strategy Runs Out

7 Habits of Empire-Building Women

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