28 Aug You’re Not Lazy — It’s Just Resistance

by Kalika Yap

Have you ever had something you were excited to create—maybe a book, a course, a product—but no matter how much it mattered, you just couldn’t seem to start?

That was me with the Little Brand Book.

I had the concept. I knew exactly what I wanted it to look and feel like. But I procrastinated—for three years.

I kept telling myself I was “waiting for the right time,” but really, I was just stuck. Doubt. Distraction. Fear of not doing it well enough. I later realized I was bumping up against something Steven Pressfield calls Resistance in his book The War of Art.

That line stopped me cold. Because it’s true. Resistance feels invisible, but it can drain your energy, creativity, and confidence if you let it.

The turning point for me came when I posted publicly:

It wasn’t done. But I set a deadline. I planned a launch party. I gave myself no way out.

And guess what? The book got finished in six weeks.
Later, it was published by HarperCollins.

If you’re in that place now—circling your big idea, but not quite doing the work—you’re not alone. Resistance shows up for all of us. But you can move through it.

Here’s what’s helped me—and what might help you, too.

Step-by-step: How To Push Through Resistance

1. Call It What It Is

That little voice saying “maybe later” isn’t being helpful—it’s resistance.

“Resistance will bury you. You will fail. You will hate yourself. You will die unloved. Resistance is always lying and always full of crap.”

Naming it takes away its power.

2. Reconnect with Your Reason

What’s your “why”? Go deeper than results. What’s the heart behind it?

“Resistance will reason with you like a lawyer or jam a nine-millimeter in your face like a stickup man.”

Write your reason down and keep it where you can see it.

3. Make the Task Smaller

Don’t try to finish the whole thing. Just start. Write one paragraph. Outline one slide. Send one email.

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”

Small actions build momentum.

4. Pick a Time and Show Up

Choose a set time—even ten minutes. Keep the commitment to yourself.

“The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time.”

You don’t need to feel inspired. You just need to begin.

5. Let It Be Messy

I waited to write Little Brand Book because I wanted it to be perfect. That was resistance in disguise.

“Resistance will tell you to wait until you’re ‘ready.”

There’s no perfect time. You don’t need to be ready—you just need to show up.

6. Don’t Keep It a Secret

Resistance thrives in silence. The turning point for me was posting publicly that my book was coming out. That accountability helped me move.

“Resistance loves secrecy.”

I planned a party. I made it real. That’s what got the book done.

7. Celebrate Progress

Small steps are still steps. Acknowledge them.

“The act of creation is itself a reward.”

Momentum builds with recognition.

If you’re stuck and want support to get back in motion, I’d love to help.

Book a discovery call