LESSON OF THE WEEK: What We Can Learn from LeBron James’ Career (Act IV)
Kingdom Reign Two: Respond Against Resistance
“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance”. -Steven Pressfield (The War of Art)
This year, I read the aforementioned quote and book written by Steven Pressfield. His observation, articulation, and responses regarding this concept of ‘resistance’ should not be consumed passively. Wanting to be great at something is simple, planning to achieve goals is measurable, dreaming is natural. Until resistance comes to play games with us, then things get complex quick. After back to back championships, LeBron James found himself in a rubber match with resistance yet again. Once again he had to accept defeat in the NBA Finals, but this time against a team who was clearly more seasoned and more cognizant of their identity. Well that’s okay, sometimes we’re just not the best, right? No, that’s the resistance manipulating you, just like the ego does. Ego and resistance are best friends, because they’re polar opposite and opposites attract. Ego tells us that disciplines aren’t necessary, because we already have the ability and that’s enough. Resistance tells us similarly that disciplines aren’t necessary, but it tells us in a rhetoric attempting to convince us that we’re not going to champion it right now anyways.. Our typical response? We’ll do it later, we’ll start tomorrow, I’ll do this instead, I’ll put it on the back burner.
No, no, NO…
More than likely, we’ll never revisit the discipline that IS necessary to achieve those dreams and goals, and therefore never know what it could have taken to get there. THE UNLIVED LIFE. When LeBron returned home to play for the Cavaliers, he could have taken the path of least resistance and discipline. He could have dismissed the 50+ year drought of the city not earning a professional sports championship, he could have accepted the fact his new team was young and inexperienced; beginning to start padding his stats for the Hall of Fame. When you’re uncommon, the path of least resistance is a form of self disrespect. LeBron accepted the challenges of returning to a team, fanbase, and city that once irrationally disowned him when their narratives got burned. LeBron had 12 years of unfinished business, so this was not the time to start getting comfortable.
In war and in life, many leaders will lead from the back lines, because that’s the area of most support and safety. However, real generals lead from the front line, they’re the first line of command at all costs. Perhaps LeBron did not have an option to where he wanted to position himself as general. I mean he’s the most popular athlete in the world, you can’t really hide. Well, you’d be surprised the cowardly abilities the resistance grants us, there’s ALWAYS an option. Some days were uglier than others, but LeBron never fled or collapsed on this path of greater resistance, he just kept running at pace.
Nothing is given, everything is earned.
The resistance will try it’s hardest to convince us different. The path of greater resistance is the most challenging endeavor, which makes it the most rewarding. LeBron took on that most challenging endeavor, never put his goals on the back burner, never folded to the resistance.. there’s not enough time to wander in the territory of the unlived life, you have to start NOW.
Result? Fulfilled promises made to yourself. The life we live.