The Jen Gottlieb Show Overcoming Resistance and Finding Your Calling: Steven Pressfield's Unconventional Journey to Becoming a Bestselling Author
From living in a van to becoming one of the most influential voices on creativity and turning pro, Steven Pressfield's path to success was anything but a straight line. With best-sellers like The War of Art, Turning Pro, and The Legend of Bagger Vance under his belt, Steven is living proof that it's never too late to answer your calling.
But as Steven reveals in this episode, resistance doesn't disappear with success - it only gets more sophisticated. Tune in to discover why self-doubt can be a sign you're on the right track, how to use fear as a compass, and what it really takes to go from amateur to pro.
"When in doubt, it's resistance. The more resistance you feel to something, the more certain you can be that you have to do it." ~ Steven Pressfield
In This Episode:
- When Steven first experienced resistance
- Unpublished success: the first finished book
- Resistance vs Intuition - telling the difference
- From failed novels to Hollywood screenwriter
- The turning point in Steven's writing career
- How to tap into the muse and receive creative inspiration
- What is a "shadow career," and how do you escape it?
- Beware the saboteurs: dealing with resistance from friends and family
- Quit your job to pursue your passion?
- Overcoming resistance in daily life
- Discovering your calling
- The long journey to success
- The courage to be seen: why visibility is your responsibility
- Advice to someone who's putting off their dreams
About Steven Pressfield:
Steven Pressfield is the author of The War of Art, which has sold over a million copies and been translated into 20 languages. His other non-fiction works include Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Warrior Ethos, and The Artist's Journey. He's also the author of numerous novels and screenplays, including The Legend of Bagger Vance, which was adapted for the screen. Steven is an honors graduate of Duke University and a former Marine.
Before his breakthrough in publishing, Steven worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout, and attendant in a mental hospital. His struggles to overcome resistance and turn pro in the face of adversity have made him one of the most sought-after and relatable voices on creativity and personal development.
Website: https://stevenpressfield.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/steven_pressfield/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/StevePressfield
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevePressfield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SPressfield
Mentioned Resources:
The War of Art: https://a.co/d/8tqHbOa
Turning Pro: https://a.co/d/dvMXbpg
The Daily Pressfield: https://a.co/d/60X5p7r
The Legend of Bagger Vance: https://www.amazon.com/dp/038072751X
Where to find me:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jen_gottlieb/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jen_gottlieb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenleahgottlieb
Website: https://jengottlieb.com/
My business: https://www.superconnectormedia.com/