Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement

How to Defeat Your Shadow Life and Face Your Calling: Lessons from Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield,

Nov 4, 2025

Discover the concept of shadow callings, where fear keeps you from pursuing your true passions. Hear about Steven Pressfield’s metaphorical typewriter buried in his truck, representing his avoidance of writing. Explore how habits distinguish professionals from amateurs and what it means to turn pro every day. Sam discusses the costs of commitment, including potential sacrifices in relationships, and encourages identifying your own buried typewriter to start taking action. It’s a motivational journey to confront resistance and embrace your calling!

30:15

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INSIGHT

Shadow Career Mirrors The True Calling

A shadow career mirrors your true calling but avoids risk while keeping you near the scene.
It feels legitimate but protects you from the exposure required to actually do the work.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Typewriter Hidden In A Truck

Steven Pressfield drove trucks while hiding his Smith Corona typewriter under spare parts because he feared writing.
He lived a shadow career until admitting the trucking was escapism and facing his shame to start writing.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Dream Revealed Hidden Ambition

Pressfield lived in a halfway house until a dream revealed his ambition and shame for hiding it.
He realized ambiton is part of his calling and refused to let proximity to others silence it.

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

Recognizing a Shadow Calling

01:15 • 2min

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Pressfield's Trucking Years and the Typewriter Metaphor

03:29 • 2min

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The Law of Metaphor and the Halfway House Turning Point

05:19 • 2min

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Addiction as a Substitute for Calling

07:08 • 2min

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Habits That Separate Amateurs from Professionals

09:26 • 2min

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Ten Professional Traits That Conquer Resistance

11:00 • 1min

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Deciding to Turn Pro and Treating Yourself Seriously

12:01 • 46sec

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The All-Is-Lost Moment Before Turning Pro

12:46 • 2min

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Remembering the Day You Turned Pro

The Two Salaries of Turning Pro

18:06 • 1min

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The Costs and Consequences of Turning Pro

19:11 • 46sec

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Resistance, Daily Discipline, and the Role of Inspiration

19:57 • 56sec

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Facing Your Buried Typewriter: The Call to Act

• Mentioned in 47 episodes

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.

#25

• Mentioned in 264 episodes

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.

What if the life you're living is just a metaphor for the life you're meant to live?

Pressfield kept his typewriter buried under spare parts in his truck. He knew it was there. Thought about it constantly. But he was too terrified to dig it out and write. So he drove. For years.

Shadow callings aren't about laziness—they're about proximity without risk. We fall into fixed mindset thinking this is all we can do.

We become English teachers instead of novelists, consultants instead of founders, gallery workers instead of artists. We stay close enough to feel legitimate, far enough to avoid the real work.

This episode breaks down why your brain creates these elaborate escape mechanisms, what separates amateurs from professionals, and the exact moment everything changes.

You'll learn:

How to recognize if you're living a shadow career right now
The 20 habits that separate professionals from amateurs
Why turning pro is a decision you remake every single day

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