SOLVED with Mark Manson

chevron_right

What It Really Takes to Accomplish Your Dreams (ft. Steven Pressfield)

whatshot 197 snips

Aug 28, 2024

Guest

Steven Pressfield

In this engaging discussion, author Steven Pressfield reflects on his journey from obscurity to publishing his breakout novel at 52. He shares insights on defeating creative resistance and redefines success as a grueling internal battle. Pressfield emphasizes the value of persistence, emotional alignment, and the nurturing aspect of creativity while debunking myths about the need for suffering in art. He also offers a sneak peek into his latest book, 'The Daily Pressfield,' which explores the daily grind of artistic life.

58:12

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Pressfield's Persistence

Steven Pressfield worked odd jobs for 20+ years before his writing career took off.
He persisted because writing was the only thing that kept him sane, not money.

insights

INSIGHT

The Nature of Resistance

Resistance (with a capital R) is a powerful, ever-changing force of self-sabotage.
It appears when we try to move from a lower level to a higher level, creatively or personally.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Early Self-Sabotage

Pressfield sabotaged his first book and marriage due to resistance.
He acted out to avoid the vulnerability of finishing his work.

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

Conquering Creative Resistance

01:56 • 17min

chevron_right

Perseverance in Creativity: The Grind of the Last Chapter

19:15 • 4min

chevron_right

Overcoming Resistance: The Path to Creative Success

23:16 • 15min

chevron_right

The Role of Emotional Alignment in Achieving Greatness

38:34 • 3min

chevron_right

The Complexity of Imagination in Writing

41:35 • 6min

chevron_right

The Nurturing Nature of Creativity

47:29 • 3min

chevron_right

Embracing the Muse: The Art of Creative Inspiration

50:08 • 8min

chevron_right

Introduction to a New Book: 'The Daily Pressfield'

58:10 • 3min

chevron_right

#22

• Mentioned in 217 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.

#308

• Mentioned in 48 episodes

This Is Marketing

You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See

Seth Godin

In 'This Is Marketing', Seth Godin presents a transformative view of marketing as a generous act of helping others solve problems. The book focuses on key principles such as targeting the smallest viable market, delivering anticipated, personal, and relevant messages, and building trust through permission marketing. Godin argues that effective marketing is about creating positive change and helping people become who they want to be. He provides actionable insights, case studies, and a strategic focus on storytelling, tension, and customer-centric approaches. The book is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers, and marketers looking to reframe their marketing strategies and connect meaningfully with their audiences.

#2769

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

All the Pretty Horses

Cormac McCarthy

Set in 1949, 'All the Pretty Horses' follows John Grady Cole, a 16-year-old cowboy, and his friend Lacey Rawlins as they leave their home in Texas to find work as cowboys in Mexico. Along the way, they encounter Jimmy Blevins, a troubled young runaway, whose actions lead to significant consequences. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the disappearing cowboy way of life, as Cole and Rawlins face the harsh realities of the Mexican justice system, cultural differences, and personal betrayals. McCarthy's vivid prose captures the beauty and brutality of the American West, highlighting the loss of innocence and the complexities of the adult world.

#379

• Mentioned in 43 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.

• Mentioned in 329 episodes

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.

#1364

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

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.

#5753

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Memoirs of a Geisha

Arthur Golden

The novel tells the story of Chiyo Sakamoto, a young girl sold into slavery in the Gion district of Kyoto, who later becomes the renowned geisha Sayuri. The story spans 25 years, from 1929 to the post-World War II era, providing a glimpse into the secret world of geishas and Japan's history during that period. Sayuri's journey includes her harsh apprenticeship, the auction of her virginity, and her complex relationships with other geishas and patrons, particularly her unrequited love for a man known as the Chairman. The book explores themes of exploitation, cultural traditions, and the resilience of women in a highly controlled environment.

#1919

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit

null

Steven Pressfield

#576

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

Fifty Shades of Grey

E. L. James

The novel follows Anastasia Steele, a literature student, as she interviews Christian Grey, a young and enigmatic entrepreneur. Their encounter leads to a complex and passionate affair, where Ana is introduced to Christian's world of BDSM and must navigate her own desires and boundaries. The story explores themes of control, submission, and the deepening emotional relationship between the two characters, despite Christian's dark past and his need for dominance.

Steven Pressfield was 52 years old when he published his first hit novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Prior to that, he wrote tirelessly for decades in obscurity, supporting himself with odd jobs along the way.

After writing several more novels and movie scripts, he distilled all of his wisdom into The War of Art, his now-famous treatise on the grinding process of creativity.

Now in his 80s, Steven looks back on his work and life with a clear-eyed view of what it truly means to make it as a creative professional. In this episode, he explains why he persisted writing for decades with little to show for it, how he compensated for his own lack of talent, why creating great art is actually a grueling war fought within the artist’s own mind, and much, much more.

Enjoy.

Steven’s new book, The Daily Pressfield

All of Steven Pressfield's Books

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books