The Life-Changing Power of Mentors with Steven Pressfield
Jan 28, 2023
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Steven Pressfield, author of historical fiction and screenplays, discusses the power of mentors in achieving one's goals. He shares his 27-year journey to becoming a published author, emphasizing the importance of mentors along the way. The podcast also explores the concept of resistance faced by creators and the value of vulnerability. Plus, it delves into the wilderness as a metaphor for challenging periods in life and promotes engagement with the podcast.
The power of mentors in one's journey to success and how they can provide guidance and support in various aspects of life.
The significance of overcoming resistance by focusing on the dream, taking action, and persisting through challenges.
The importance of embracing the artist's journey, constantly creating, and avoiding the trap of waiting for external validation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Mentors in Finding Your Calling
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the significance of mentors in helping individuals find their true calling. The speaker shares personal experiences of mentors who have influenced their journey and how these mentors were not limited to just writing, but also included people from various aspects of life. The speaker highlights the importance of soft skills that mentors impart, such as how to start something, how to handle the middle of a project, and how to finish it. Mentors help individuals navigate the challenges and provide guidance in shaping their lives and becoming professionals in their chosen field.
The Resistance and Overcoming Self-Doubt
The podcast explores the concept of resistance, which refers to the internal obstacles and self-doubt that can hinder individuals from pursuing their dreams. The speaker discusses how resistance is a natural part of the journey and often manifests as negative thoughts or feelings of being lost. However, the speaker highlights that resistance can be overcome by focusing on the dream, taking action, and doing the work. By shifting the focus to the dream and persevering through the challenges, individuals can find their authentic selves and achieve their goals.
Transitioning from the Hero's Journey to the Artist Journey
The podcast delves into the idea of transitioning from the hero's journey to the artist's journey. The hero's journey is described as the initial phase of finding one's calling and navigating through challenges. The artist's journey begins once individuals have a clear sense of their purpose and passion. They are then tasked with shaping their lives, mastering their craft, and consistently producing their art. The speaker underlines the importance of constantly creating and taking action, avoiding the trap of waiting for external validation. By embracing the artist's journey, individuals can cultivate their gifts, refine their work, and continue to grow as professionals.
Overcoming Resistance and Pursuing Dreams
The podcast episode discusses the concept of resistance and how it can hinder individuals from pursuing their dreams. It emphasizes the importance of not letting negative voices and self-doubt hold one back. The speaker explains that resistance never goes away, but one can become better at pushing past it. They highlight the significance of taking action and just sitting down to do the work, as this diminishes resistance's power. The episode also touches on the idea that the pandemic has prompted many people to pursue their passions and dreams, as they reevaluate their priorities and the importance of financial stability. The speaker further emphasizes the need for self-awareness and breaking down the dream into actionable steps. They encourage individuals to view themselves as entrepreneurs and to cultivate self-discipline and organization. Overall, the episode conveys the message that it is never too late to pursue one's dreams and that resilience and perseverance are crucial in navigating the challenges that arise.
Navigating the Middle and Overcoming Doubt
The podcast episode delves into the challenges individuals face when they reach the middle stage of pursuing their dreams. It highlights the importance of acknowledging the difficult middle passage and its potential to make one feel stagnant and uncertain. The speaker compares this stage to hitting a wall in a marathon, emphasizing the need to persevere and keep doing the work. They discuss how doubts and feelings of failure can arise during this stage, but suggest that recognizing it as a normal part of the journey is vital. The episode also explores the role of self-discipline and self-organization in overcoming the challenges of the middle passage. It emphasizes the need to let go of seeking validation from others and instead focus on personal growth and improvement. The speaker shares personal anecdotes and offers recommendations of books that address navigating the middle stage of pursuing dreams. The episode concludes by emphasizing that it is never too late to start or continue pursuing one's dreams, and that resilience and commitment are essential elements of success.
Steven Pressfield is an American author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays. He's documented his 27-year journey to becoming a published author in his latest book Gov't Cheese as a way to inspire young authors, artists, and entrepreneurs to keep pursuing their dreams and overcoming the Resistance. In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Steve discusses the power of mentors along one's road to success and how each one of his (even those that were unaware of their mentorship to him) helped him finally achieve his goal.
