Hello soxfan1966,
check / replace front motor mount and use only OEM transmission oil (Shell Spirax) for transaxle transmissions. This gearbox is different from standard, because gearbox and differential are running with the same oil. No experiments or cheap solutions here.
If you are living in an area with hills and streets with a big incline you can test if shifting is better uphill than downhill. If uphill is a bit easier to shift check front engine mount. I bet it's worn.
If your front engine mount is worn, don't wait too long to replace it, because everytime you try to get in 2nd gear hard it's not good for your transmission, not good for your shifter mechnism and not good for the shifter cable.
Regards, Markus