#642: Steven Pressfield on Going from Truck Driver to Bestselling Novelist, Overcoming Self-Sabotage, Building Momentum, Dancing with the Muse, Turning Pro, and Letting Your Underground River Flow

328 snips

Dec 13, 2022

Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of "Gates of Fire" and "The War of Art," shares his inspiring journey from truck driver to literary success. He candidly discusses overcoming self-sabotage and the vital role of momentum in writing, emphasizing the importance of continuous creativity. The conversation dives into the art of naming characters and the transformative power of storytelling. Pressfield also reflects on the necessity of creative expression, the challenges of embracing absurdity, and how reconnecting with childhood passions fuels joy in the creative process.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Halfway House Dream

Steven Pressfield lived in a halfway house after a divorce and job loss.
A dream about his room organizing itself revealed his ambition, challenging his anti-ambition mindset.

INSIGHT

Delusions of Functionality

The "collective delusion of normal life" may be less accurate than a depressed person's perception.
However, this accurate perception isn't always functional.

ADVICE

Helpful Delusions

Use denial as a tool.
Actively deny unproductive thoughts, like age-related limitations.

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

Get the app

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.

Govt Cheese

A Memoir

Steven Pressfield

In 'Govt Cheese: A Memoir', Steven Pressfield shares his personal odyssey of becoming a writer. The book chronicles his 27-year struggle, during which he worked various jobs such as cab driver, mechanic, apple picker, long haul trucker, screenwriter, and more. Pressfield provides a brutally honest account of his experiences, offering valuable insights into the publishing and movie industries. The memoir is a testament to his perseverance and his philosophy of overcoming self-sabotage, which he terms 'Resistance'. It is an inspirational and insightful read for anyone interested in writing and the creative life.

Falling Upward

A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Richard Rohr

In 'Falling Upward,' Richard Rohr divides human life into two halves. The first half is about building a life, achieving success, and establishing an identity. The second half, often misunderstood as a period of decline, is actually a journey of spiritual growth, contentment, and deeper understanding. Rohr argues that spiritual maturity is achieved not by avoiding failures and sufferings but by embracing them as necessary steps towards true self-discovery and union with God. The book offers practical guidance on transitioning from the outer tasks of the first half of life to the inner tasks of the second half, emphasizing the importance of integrity, love, and non-dualistic thinking[2][3][5].

A Man at Arms

null

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].

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.

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.

The Artist's Journey

Shawn Coyne

Steven Pressfield

In 'The Artist's Journey', Steven Pressfield extends the concept of the hero's journey to the artist's life. The book posits that after completing the hero's journey, an individual embarks on the artist's journey, a path of self-discovery, creative production, and overcoming internal resistance. It emphasizes the importance of finding one's authentic calling and producing work that is true to oneself. The journey is described as a constant, solitary, and mental evolution focused on self-discovery rather than self-expression[3][4][5].