Losing my Resistance: A Case Study

Reflecting on Resistance got me thinking about where it shows up in my own life. I didn't have to look very far.

For some time now I've known I have something huge to share. It may not be huge to everyone, but for a particular kind of person, it could forever change their life. No doubt about it.

It's all here in my head. If you rang me right now, I could talk you through it from beginning to end. It might take the better part of a week, but it's so clear that I know every detail along the way.

So what am I doing to get it out in the world? Sitting on it.

That's not entirely true. I've written an outline that's sitting at eleven pages, and I'm just getting started. And I've asked eight intrepid individuals to serve as a "test group" to provide feedback about the resource as I create it.

But what have I given them to review since I asked them five months ago? You guessed it. Nothing.

To which you may say, "Hey, 'Lighten up Francis,' you've got a lot on your plate. You have a wife and daughters that need you. You have clients you serve, kids' activities, working on the house, and so on. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Thanks for the encouragement. I need that reminder. But that's not what I'm talking about.

What I'm talking about is that decision point that I come to most days where I have to choose: Do I do the work to move this project along, or do something else?

That's the crux of it. For the last five months I've chosen to do something else...anything else. But why would I shy away from sharing that which I believe can truly impact another human soul?

Simple: putting myself and my ideas out for public scrutiny is scary as hell.

When I think of moving from outline to sharable content, I hear those negative voices in my head in all their cleverness, "What makes you think you have such a great idea? There's nothing really new under the sun. Remember, someone thought the AMC Gremlin was a good idea too."

But lately something seems to be shifting. I'm moving from outline to content that I can share with my test group, and eventually with anyone else that's interested. I've created three portions of the resource’s guidebook and recorded three "Audio Notes" to accompany the guidebook.

It's a daily battle. My naysayers wake up with me every morning. They line the stairwell up to my office and hurl their abuses. But rather than believe their lies, I acknowledge them like fellow passengers on a train. "Mornin'!"

Maybe I am designing the next AMC Gremlin, and maybe it too will confuse consumers, break down, and serve as a source of national embarrassment, but at least it will be my Gremlin, whether anyone else likes it or not.

But I believe it's far greater than that. It can and will forever change lives. Even if it just changed one life, I'd do it. And maybe that life is yours. Who knows?

Stay tuned.