Steven Pressfield: Battle Resistance, Master Your Craft, & Pursue Your Calling

149 snips

Jan 26, 2023

In this engaging conversation, Steven Pressfield, a prolific writer and author of insightful works like 'The War of Art,' explores the struggle against creative resistance. He shares personal anecdotes about mentorship and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. The dialogue delves into the nature of self-doubt and the psychological pressures artists face, especially in today's world. Pressfield emphasizes the necessity of resilience, perseverance, and the joy of pursuing one's true calling, inspiring listeners to embrace their creative journeys.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Getting Better

Start as a novice and gradually improve your skills through consistent effort.
There's hope for improvement in creative pursuits, unlike some athletic endeavors with age limits.

INSIGHT

Unconventional Souls

Some individuals see through conventional life's expectations but struggle to conform, facing societal judgment.
They often find themselves in marginalized communities, lacking traditional paths to happiness.

ANECDOTE

Ruthie's Calling

Steven Pressfield's friend, Ruthie, embodies an undefined calling by helping others in need.
Despite lacking a traditional career, her role as a support figure is her unique purpose.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Steven Pressfield

In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.

Government Cheese

null

Steven Pressfield

Story

Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

Robert McKee

In *Story*, Robert McKee provides a detailed and integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. The book expands on the concepts he teaches in his highly regarded seminars, offering insights into the relationship between structure and character, and the underlying principles that make a story compelling. McKee draws from a wide range of sources, including Aristotle and classic films, to offer practical advice on storytelling that is applicable to screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, and non-fiction writers.

Big Magic

Elizabeth Gilbert

In 'Big Magic', Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the mysteries of creativity, encouraging readers to live more creative and fulfilling lives. The book is divided into six parts: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. Gilbert argues that creativity is an essential part of human nature and that it requires courage to accept and overcome fears. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, trust in the creative process, and the need to separate creativity from the pressure of making a living. Through personal anecdotes and insights from other artists, Gilbert demystifies the creative process and inspires readers to pursue their passions with curiosity rather than fear[2][3][5].

Do the Work

Steven Pressfield

Gates of fire

Steven Pressfield

Gates of Fire tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of Xeones, a wounded Greek soldier who recounts his life and the events leading up to the battle. The novel explores Spartan culture, the rigorous training regimen known as the *agoge*, and the heroic stand of the Spartans against the overwhelming forces of the Persian Empire. The story is framed as a series of interviews between Xeones and members of the Persian court, detailing the battle and its aftermath, as well as the personal and philosophical aspects of Spartan warfare and culture[1][3][5].

Turning pro

tap your inner power and create your life's work

Steven Pressfield

In 'Turning Pro,' Steven Pressfield provides a practical and inspirational guide for entrepreneurs and creatives to shift from an amateur mindset to a professional one. The book is divided into three parts: the first describes the addictive nature of the amateur, the second paints a vision of what it means to be a pro, and the third focuses on cultivating professionalism. Pressfield emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear, self-doubt, and procrastination, and adopting habits such as discipline, regularity, and a constant striving for excellence. He also discusses the concept of 'shadow careers' and the need to align one's work with their true calling for authentic fulfillment.

Chronicles

Volume One (Chronicles)

Bob Dylan

In *Chronicles: Volume One*, Bob Dylan reflects on pivotal moments in his life and career. The book takes readers through his early days in Greenwich Village in 1961, describing a city full of possibilities, including smoky parties, literary awakenings, and lasting friendships. Dylan also recounts his experiences in New Orleans, Woodstock, Minnesota, and other places, offering an intimate and personal account of his journey. The memoir is characterized by Dylan's distinctive American voice, which is generous, engaged, fanciful, and rhythmic, reflecting his storytelling gifts and expressive style[1][4][5].

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Steven Pressfield

In the Depression year of 1931, on the golf links at Krewe Island off Savannah's windswept shore, golf legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen meet for a mesmerizing thirty-six-hole showdown. They are joined by a local unsung opponent, the troubled war hero Rannulph Junah, who is guided by his caddie and mentor, the mysterious and charismatic Bagger Vance. Vance holds the secret of the Authentic Swing and his mysterious powers guide the play, leaving a lasting imprint on the lives he touches. The story is a sports fable that reveals that, in life as well as golf, the real battle is not with outside opponents but with oneself.

Voicing Change

Rich Roll

Voicing Change is a culmination of Rich Roll's eight-year journey of interviewing unique thinkers and visionaries on his acclaimed podcast. The book distills the collective wisdom from these conversations into thoughtful essays and first-person wisdom, focusing on themes of intentional living, life lessons, and enduring inspiration.

The true believer

Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements

Eric Hoffer

Published in 1951, 'The True Believer' is a landmark work in social psychology that provides a visionary and provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of mass movements. Hoffer argues that ideologies are interchangeable for true believers, who are driven by personal frustrations and a desire for certainty and belonging. The book is highly relevant today, offering insights into political fanaticism, the rise of mass movements, and the dangers of unthinking adherence to any cause. It has been praised for its concise and insightful analysis, making it a significant contribution to social thought[1][4][5].

Finding Ultra

Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Top Ultrarunners

Rich Roll

Finding Ultra recounts Rich Roll’s remarkable journey from an out-of-shape, mid-life couch potato to one of the world’s top ultrarunners. The book chronicles his battle with alcoholism, his transformation into an elite endurance athlete, and his adoption of a plant-based lifestyle. It includes his experiences in the elite Ultraman competition and the EPIC5, five Ironman-distance triathlons completed in less than a week on different Hawaiian islands. The revised and updated edition provides practical tools, practices, and strategies for optimal performance, longevity, and wellness, making it a guide for anyone seeking to transform their life through self-discovery and a healthier lifestyle.

The Plantpower Way

Whole Food Plant-Based Recipes and Guidance for the Whole Family

Julie Piatt

Rich Roll

Created by Rich Roll and Julie Piatt, this book shares their experiences and the health benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. It includes a variety of easy-to-prepare whole food recipes, such as hearty breakfasts, lunches, dinners, smoothies, juices, and desserts. The book is not just a recipe collection but a comprehensive guide to long-term wellness, body, mind, and spirit health, and a celebration of a simple and sustainable lifestyle.