How To Stop Resisting And Get Moving This Year

Happy New Year!

As you step into 2025, you may be brimming with ideas for resolutions and goals.

It’s natural to dream big at the start of the year, imagining a version of yourself that’s more productive, balanced, and fulfilled.

But what happens when enthusiasm fades?

When motivation disappears, leaving resistance, doubt, or inertia in its wake?

Recently, I revisited these questions as I read The Art of Taking Action: Lessons from Japanese Psychology by Gregg Krech.

This book really resonated with me, not just because of my long-standing connection to Japan, but because it offers practical, profound insights into overcoming the hurdles of inaction—insights that feel particularly timely at the start of the year.

One concept that struck me powerfully is aru ga mama (あるがまま), the practice of accepting things as they are.

It’s a cornerstone of Japanese psychology, rooted in the idea that much of our struggle comes not from the tasks we face, but from our resistance to those tasks.

The Monk and the Bucket

Let me illustrate this with a story often shared by Zen teachers:

A young monk was tasked with carrying a heavy bucket of water up a steep hill to fill the temple’s cistern.

It was a blistering summer day, and the monk’s frustration grew with each step.

He silently grumbled:

Why did the master give me this job?

Why is the bucket so heavy?

Why is the hill so steep?

Halfway up, he set the bucket down and slumped against a rock, overwhelmed by the effort.

Just then, the temple master approached.

“Why have you stopped?” the master asked.

“The bucket is too heavy,” replied the monk, “and the hill is too steep! This task is unfair.”

The master nodded and said “You are right. It is heavy, and the hill is steep. But tell me, which weighs more: the bucket of water in your hand, or the burden of your resistance to carrying it?”

The monk frowned. “What do you mean?”

The master gestured to the bucket.

“When you resist the task, your mind carries a weight far heavier than the bucket itself.

You wish for cooler air, lighter water, or a gentler hill.

But none of these things will change.

Accept the weight.

Feel the heat.

Climb the hill.

When you stop fighting reality, the task will become lighter.”

The monk, humbled, picked up the bucket and continued his climb.

This time, instead of resisting, he felt the rhythm of his breath, the coolness of the water sloshing against the bucket, and the strength of his legs as they carried him forward.

By the time he reached the top, the task—while still challenging—felt manageable, even peaceful.

The Power of ‘aru ga mama’

This story beautifully captures the heart of aru ga mama: the art of releasing resistance and working with reality as it is, rather than wishing it were different.

This principle doesn’t mean giving up or resigning yourself to hardship—it’s about freeing up the energy wasted on resistance and using it to take purposeful action.

When applied to our daily lives, it can transform the way you approach challenges, big or small.

Why Arugamama Matters for 2025

In The Art of Taking Action, Gregg Krech explains that acceptance doesn’t erase discomfort, but it allows us to coexist with it while still moving forward. This simple shift can:

• Reduce emotional friction – Resisting discomfort magnifies it. Acceptance allows us to focus on what matters.
• Turn discomfort into a companion – Fear, frustration, and doubt aren’t signs of failure—they’re natural parts of meaningful work.
• Empower purposeful action – You don’t have to wait for the “perfect moment” to act. You can begin, right now, exactly as you are.

How to Put It Into Practice

As you tackle your New Year’s goals, consider these steps to integrate aru ga mama:

1. Pause and acknowledge your feelings.

Notice when you’re resisting something—whether it’s a task, a conversation, or a decision. Say to yourself, “I feel [frustration, fear, etc.], and that’s okay.”

2. Reconnect with your purpose.

Ask yourself, “Why does this matter to me?” Purpose often provides the clarity needed to move forward.

3. Start small and stay steady.

You don’t have to get to the top of the hill today. Take the next step, and then the one after that.

4. Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Success isn’t about erasing resistance—it’s about taking action in spite of it.

An Action-filled 2025!

If you’ve read some of my previous newsletters, you know, I lived, worked, and studied in Japan for years, and even though we now live in the UK, my wife, daughter and I visit Japan regularly.

Over time, I’ve seen how deeply embedded this philosophy of acceptance is in Japanese culture.

Whether it’s reflected in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms or the resilience of a Zen garden during a typhoon, the idea of finding peace within life’s imperfections has profoundly influenced the way I approach my own work and life.

Reading The Art of Taking Action reminded me how powerful this concept can be, especially as we set ambitious goals at the start of the year.

So the next time you feel resistance—whether it’s procrastination, frustration, or self-doubt—pause, acknowledge it, and pick up your bucket.

This year, let’s focus on moving forward with grace, no matter the weight of the bucket or the steepness of the hill!

Here’s to a 2025 filled with purposeful action and meaningful growth.