“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
- Steven Pressfield - “The War of Art”

My friend Kate and I recently had a discussion on resistance and fear. She recommended this book.

When I was 23 years old, an acquaintance of mine passed away in a climbing accident. I was a witness to this accident. Since this point, TRAD climbing was always something that I had a strong resistance to. My fear paralyzed me in every aspect of technical climbing. The reality is that up until recently I never talked about it albeit, TRAD climbing was always something that was a part of me. It’s an activity in which I found a lot of solace. This past Friday I did a scramble up the NW face of Pfiefferhorn (in the Wasatch) which required some technical climbing facing significant exposure and no fixed ropes. I thought to myself - 12 years ago I wouldn’t have blinked an eye. I have done scrambles much more technical than that. At the moment of the approach, I almost turned around and went back down. In that moment I thought… am I capable? If this approach safe? is the route safe? Am I technically sound? I knew the answer was yes. I realized that for the last 12 years that my fear and resistance has not allowed me to grow in this activity. Within that, I missed out on adventure, community, personal growth and self discovery. Earlier in my life I had climbed in very technical climbs in different parts of the world. While fear and resistance can keep you safe, it also can cause you not to grow if we live in a world of resistance and fear even when you make the right preparations. A gentle push from 2 friends I was climbing with forced me to step outside of my zone of fear and live in the present. In the past 72 hours I have realized how much love I have for this sport and how much I used to enjoy it and grow on a daily basis. I have been glowing finding this passion again. Recognize fear and recognize resistance. Whether it is in business or in life, we only grow as much as we push through resistance. Resistance comes in all shapes in sizes. It comes in relationships, partnerships, habits, love, family, etc. Change is uncomfortable and growth happens through pushing yourself.
Keep Growing -
Sean