When we’re doing something new, different, or unusual, the prefrontal cortex area of our brain
becomes active. This part of the brain processes ideas, perceptions, and logistics and
uses a lot of energy — it can only process a certain amount of information at a time and tends to
get tired quickly. So, when we experience any change, whether it’s good or bad, our brain has to
work harder. This extra effort by the prefrontal cortex when dealing with change can lead to physical
and mental discomfort. This discomfort can activate the amygdala. Our amygdala is
the orchestrater of our flight or fight response to danger, stress, or the unknown. When the amygdala
is activated, it can stimulate feelings of feelings of fear or anger, and can cause us to act emotionally
and impulsively. It can also lead us to certain psychological states such as depression, confusion, or
panic. Our brains try to be efficient, and using our basal ganglia is one way. Our basal ganglia
automates our actions, thoughts and behaviors and happens at the unconscious level. Simply put,
Whenever we experience resistance to change, our habits stored in our basal ganglia tells us what
behavior we need to perform that gets us out of discomfort and gives us quick relief. To overcome
resistance we have to expect it to come and be aware when it is happening. Observe yourself and
try to process the feelings you're having and why you’re feeling them. Also notice what behavior
you're performing to get out of them. As your awareness increases, you’ll likely be able fight your
mental resistance and keep working I started feeling stressed and had strong doubt about being able
to finish this video, and felt so uncomfortable, walked away and started mindlessly watching tv. A
couple hours later, I realized what was happening. I understood that I was experiencing stress of
making a video on a topic I haven’t made before, my brain feared the unknown. And I was also
stressed about spending the morning trying to get work done, but having nothing to show for it. My
brain feared not being productive with my time. I understood that watching tv was an unconscious
coping strategy to stop feeling this mental resistance. You see, now that I was aware of what was
happening, I understood, that whenever I feel these uncomfortable feelings, it’s completely normal
and expected. Now that I’m aware these feelings are normal and expected, my brain was less
stressed, and with being less stressed, it made it easier to get back to work and finish this video. If I
keep becoming aware of why I’m experiencing resistance and keep working anyway, eventually my
basal ganglia will automate my actions to keep working when ever feeling this stress instead of
mindlessly watching tv. To perform any meaningful activity in life, there will be some discomfort in
the beginning. You can waste a lot of time trying to figure out how to make positive changes without
feeling any discomfort, but it’s not going to happen. You can research the right mindset and
strategies to handle whatever it is you want to do, but you’ll still feel discomfort and need to take
action anyway. That’s really what makes someone a professional, not letting their emotions get in
the way from doing what it is they are on this earth to do. The good news is, the more and more you
fight this resistance taking action, the easier it becomes to make it a habit and something you do
consistently.
