Steven Pressfield, acclaimed author known for his works in fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting, shares insights on overcoming resistance and pursuing creative endeavors. Highlights include the difficulty of sitting down to write, the distinction between amateurs and professionals in creative pursuits, and the impact of physically immersing yourself in your passion. Also explores the importance of community, the cost of not pursuing dreams, and the rationale behind 'Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be'.
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Quick takeaways
Recognizing and overcoming resistance is crucial for pursuing creative endeavors.
Taking risks and embracing uncertainty leads to breakthroughs and creative success.
Success in creative pursuits is determined by the commitment and volume of work, not just talent or immediate success.
Deep dives
The Cost of Not Pursuing Your Dreams
Not following your dreams comes at a cost. The force inside you that wants to be born and wants you to give birth to it doesn't just go away if you ignore it. It goes into negative channels, working against you. Living out your dream is not a luxury, it's an imperative.
Conquering Resistance and Acting Like a Pro
Resistance, the negative force that stops us from taking action, is a common obstacle. The key is to recognize resistance and act like a professional. Professionals do not quit when faced with adversity; instead, they dig in. They understand that the real challenge is sitting down to do the work, and they commit themselves to the creative process, even when self-doubt and fear arise.
Embracing Risk and Overcoming Self-Doubt
Taking risks and pushing beyond your comfort zone is essential for creative success. When writing or creating, it is common to start with safe ideas but pushing further and taking chances can lead to breakthroughs. Embracing uncertainty and going deeper into your own unique voice is where the magic happens. Overcoming self-doubt is an ongoing process, and the more you work and practice your craft, the more confident and authentic you become.
The Importance of Doing the Work
The podcast episode emphasizes the significance of putting in the work and doing the necessary repetitions to improve and find success in creative pursuits. The speaker emphasizes that many people make excuses, such as not having the right equipment or not having enough time, but ultimately what separates successful individuals from others is their willingness to put in the effort and do the work. The speaker shares the concept that talent is not the determining factor for success, but rather the commitment and volume of work that one puts in. They highlight the importance of finding one's calling and fully committing to it, even if success is not immediate.
Embracing the Hero's Journey
The episode delves into the concept of the hero's journey and how it applies to each individual's life. The speaker asserts that everyone has their own hero's journey, which involves taking risks, facing challenges, and ultimately returning "home" to a place of self-realization and acceptance of one's calling. They emphasize that the hero's journey is not linear and often involves feeling lost and stumbling blindly through life. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace their own hero's journey and understand that it is a lifelong pursuit that requires patience and commitment. They share personal experiences and reflections on their own hero's journey, highlighting the importance of persistence and the realization that success may take years to achieve.
In this episode, Steven Pressfield shares his insights on overcoming resistance and pursuing creative endeavors. An acclaimed author known for his works in fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting, he gained recognition with his debut novel "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and his historical fiction novel "Gates of Fire." But for me, his groundbreaking book “The War of Art” impacted me like no other.
During the conversation, we dive deep into the concept of resistance and how it hinders our creative pursuits. Pressfield discusses the challenges of sitting down to create and the negative force that radiates off the keyboard. He shares his personal strategies for combating resistance, including the importance of turning pro and acting like a professional.
Some highlights we explore:
The secret that real writers know about the difficulty of sitting down to write
The distinction between amateurs and professionals in creative pursuits
Overcoming adversity and self-doubt to continue creating
The concept of "Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be" and its impact on creative work
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