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It's a Miracle You're Reading This
Plus other thoughts about not getting sh*t done on a cold Chicago day
SPARK Insights by Coach Reg - Issue #0001
Let me set the scene for you: It’s a gray afternoon in Chicago, the kind of day where the chill seeps into your bones. I’m sitting at my desk, staring at a blinking cursor on a blank screen. My coffee’s gone cold, the to-do list stares at me like an accusation, and I’ve convinced myself, once again, that today just isn’t the day…
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In This Issue
I’ve been here before. It’s almost a ritual at this point: I sit down, full of good intentions, and within minutes, resistance shows up like an unwanted guest. The excuses roll in: “Maybe I should wait until I have more subscribers.” “Is this even worth the effort?” But deep down, I know the truth: the bigger the task, the louder the resistance.
Steven Pressfield nails it in The War of Art: “Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work. It will perjure. It will falsify; it will seduce. Resistance will insidiously prevent you from doing your work.” And boy, has it been working overtime on me.
This newsletter? It’s a perfect example. For months, I’ve let resistance convince me that the technology needed to be perfect, or that no one would care what I had to say. But here’s the thing: the worst version of this newsletter isn’t the one you’re reading right now - it’s the one that never gets sent.
So, welcome to the first (and likely ‘worst’) edition of SPARK Insights by Coach Reg. I promise it’ll improve over time, just like I’m improving every day. But for now, it’s out there. And that’s a miracle.
The Story You Believe Is Often the Story You Need To Kill
Even after 50+ coaching interactions and building up a lot of confidence in the skill of leading people through tough spots and changing the causes of their effects in life, I somehow felt asking someone to read my personal thoughts and wisdom is just too much.
No wonder my friend and mentor Christian Simpson says, “Any coach that doesn’t have a coach of their own isn’t a coach that should ever be hired.”
I’ve talked about this block with TEaM group (my mastermind of 6 amazing coaches) and then again on Monday with my coach, Darrell.
He took me through a coaching process to get down to the core beliefs that held me back. The same process I detail in this video:
I needed to eliminate my limiting beliefs about getting back into the public eye, and set a deadline to get this newsletter shipped!
What Are You Avoiding?
Maybe it’s a project, a conversation, or simply hitting “send” on something important. I challenge you to ask yourself: What’s really holding me back? Not the surface-level excuses, but the deeper beliefs that keep you stuck.
Resistance is sneaky. It’s not just about procrastination – it’s about fear. Fear of not being good enough, of not being heard, of failing. But as Pressfield says, “The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.”
Maybe this newsletter resonates with you, or maybe you know someone who could use this message. Share it with them. And if you’re still stuck, maybe booking a SPARK Session with me is the holiday gift you didn’t realize you needed. Together, we can figure out what’s holding you back and light the way forward.
Overcoming Resistance: 3 Ways to Push Through and Create Momentum
Resistance is sneaky. It shows up as procrastination, self-doubt, or a hundred little excuses that seem completely valid in the moment. But as Steven Pressfield says in The War of Art: “Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work. It will perjure. It will falsify; it will seduce.”
I’ve been there, staring at the blinking cursor, paralyzed by the belief that my voice isn’t worth hearing. And maybe you’ve been there too – stuck, unsure of how to take the next step. So, let’s talk about how to push through resistance and reclaim your momentum. Here are three thoughts for reflection and action:
1. Identify the Belief Behind the Resistance
Resistance often masks a deeper fear. Ask yourself: What am I afraid of? Is it fear of failure? Fear of being judged? Take some time to journal on this question: What belief is holding me back from ________? Getting specific about your fear can help you see it for what it is – a story, not the truth.
2. Shrink the Task
Big goals can feel overwhelming, making it easier for resistance to creep in. Break your goal into the smallest possible step. Instead of “write a book,” make it “write for 10 minutes today.” Small, consistent actions build momentum and quiet resistance over time.
3. Show Up, Even If It’s Not Perfect
Here’s a secret: the first version of anything – a newsletter, a project, a business idea – doesn’t need to be great. It just needs to exist. As Pressfield reminds us, “The professional shows up every day.” Commit to showing up, flaws and all, and trust that you’ll improve as you go.
Resistance will always be there, but it doesn’t have to win. The fact that you’re reading this shows that you’re already willing to step into the fight. So, take a deep breath, choose one small action, and get started.
From The SPARK Session Success Story Vault: Paula’s Resistance To a Life Decision
Paula walked into her SPARK Session feeling drained and disconnected. Despite her professional success, she was overwhelmed and stuck, resisting a deeply personal question that loomed over her life. Instead of facing it, Paula buried herself in work – her go-to way of sidestepping discomfort.
During our session, we explored the pattern. Why was work her escape? What was she avoiding? Slowly, Paula uncovered the truth: her exhaustion wasn’t just about doing too much. It was about running from the vulnerability of confronting a major decision with her spouse.
By shining a light on this pattern, Paula began to see how avoiding the question had trapped her in burnout. Through intentional reflection, she connected with her inner truth and started creating space in her life to address what really mattered. Journaling and moments of stillness became her tools for clarity – not to solve the problem overnight, but to stop running from it.
Paula left her SPARK Session not with all the answers, but with something even more valuable: the courage to face the questions head-on.
What are you avoiding? Maybe it’s time to stop running and start exploring.
Thanks for being here, for reading, and for allowing me to step into this space with you. This is just the beginning, and I’m so glad you’re part of it.