Build the Strength to Overcome Resistance

In fitness and movement, two primal ways of adding resistance is by removing stability or adding weight.

For example, hopping up and down on one leg instead of two is decreasing the number of limbs contributing to stability. Hopping on both legs with 10lb dumbbells in each hand is adding weight.

When it comes to movement, if you do not have the strength or agility to overcome the resistance, you will compensate in other areas to help you. To compensate is to make up for. In doing sit-ups, you may compensate for lack of core strength by raising your knees or extending your arms and allowing them to help you.

If you add too much weight to your already full load of responsibilities, then you will compensate by abandoning responsibilities in other areas. You'll do "just good enough" on that paper because the favor you did for your friend took up the last bit of your strength. You'll be late to another meeting because you falsely thought you could just squeeze it in between clients.

You can't effectively do squats standing on your tip toes. You must have a firm foundation if you are to increase resistance. If you already know you have difficulty waking up early, then do not add a recurring 7AM appointment to your schedule. If your handwriting is sloppy or you type 10 words per minute, then do not volunteer to be the meeting notetaker. Know yourself. Increased resistance on an unstable foundation will always lead to a fall, physically, mentally, or emotionally. You do not want to find yourself in a position where you're using sex, drugs, or liquor to compensate for loss.

Now, all of this does not mean you shouldn't challenge yourself... because increased resistance builds strength and mobility, but it requires practice and repetition. You don't go to the gym and bench press 100lb one day, and then add another 50 the very next day. Your muscles need time to build the mass needed to handle the resistance. You need time to build the necessary discipline to handle extra resistance.

1. First, do a self-audit. Evaluate where you are. Shoot, you may already be in the process of maintaining recently-added resistance.

2. Make sure you have a firm foundation. You can use mine if you want.

3. Determine where you would like to build the extra strength (time management, interpersonal relationships, cleanliness, etc.).

4. Devise possible avenues you could take to add the desired resistance. Start small and make it quantitative/measurable (ex: creating a schedule and following it for the next 7 days or dedicating 10 minutes before bedtime for the next 7 days to call xyz loved ones).

5. Continuously self-audit as time progresses. When you have mastered this newly acquired responsibility/skill, add more resistance.

You don't want to live a life of overcompensation. Make this habit your lifestyle.