Beware the Big R

The Big R is The Resistance; a termed coined by the author Steven Pressfield in his fantastic book “Do The Work”.

Pressfield knows a thing or two about perseverance, a vital behavior for folks building great processes.

He wrote for 17 years before he earned his first penny! During that time he worked in 21 different jobs in eleven states. He can teach us all about grit and overcoming roadblocks.

Pressfield defines The Resistance as a repelling force. It’s negative. Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work. The Resistance stands in the way of any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term growth, health, or integrity.

In other words, The Resistance is the sworn enemy of progress. It has only one function: to keep things as they are.

Why is The Resistance a useful concept for us to keep in mind? Because it enables us to realize that it is much easier to maintain the status quo than to make dramatic improvements. The natural state is to keep things the same. To build great and robust processes, we must beware of and overcome The Resistance. It’s also helpful to understand that The Resistance impacts everybody; we are all in the same boat.

From the Process Perspective, The Resistance prevents us from starting-continuing-finishing efforts to make bold process improvements. The Resistance stands squarely in the way of us improving things.

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My main learning from this is that The Resistance is a very useful shorthand for the multiplicity of forces and interests that are content to maintain the status quo. To build great processes, we must assertively challenge the status quo, and move forward with perseverance and conviction. Seasoned process builders know that this tenacity is mandatory for the creation of dramatically better processes, materials, and products.

[I’d like to gladly acknowledge Sam Thomas Davies (samuelthomasdavies.com) for his very nice summary of the “Do The Work” book, portions of which have been used in this newsletter.]

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CHALLENGE TO READERS

Please consider The Resistance, the force that is happy and content with the status quo…

• How are you and your process engineering organization actively challenging the status quo? What bold proposals have you made in the past 6 months?

• How can management supporters and champions be enlisted to enthusiastically help overcome The Resistance?

I’d like to learn about your experience battling The Resistance, and how you have successfully persevered and challenged the status quo. I’d love to chat about it with you (508-410-8081) and learn what your insights and discoveries are.

If you send us an email, we will get back to you promptly, thanks.

All the Best,

Marty

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