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Steven Pressfield on Creating Work That Lasts

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Jan 15, 2023

Guest

Steven Pressfield

Steven Pressfield, the author behind classics like "The War of Art" and "Turning Pro," shares insights from his life as a writer who faced 27 years of rejection before success. He reflects on the value of mentorship, the creative struggle between making art and marketing it, and the importance of committing to a routine. Their conversation highlights how repurposing content can breathe new life into old stories and emphasizes the role of virtuous relationships in personal growth. Pressfield's journey is a testament to resilience in the creative process.

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volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Marketing is Your Responsibility

Writers and artists must market their work themselves.
Marketing is crucial, even with traditional publishers.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Repurpose Content

Repurpose your creative work into various formats.
A book chapter can become a blog post, article, or video, reaching wider audiences.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Repeat Yourself

Repetition is key; most people won't absorb your message the first time.
Repetition helps reinforce important ideas and reaches new audiences.

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

Balancing Art and Promotion

03:58 • 10min

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The Duty of Sharing Stoicism's Wisdom

14:08 • 2min

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Stewardship in Creative Endeavors

16:09 • 3min

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The Power of Commitment and Mentorship

19:29 • 13min

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The Influence of Companion Virtues on Personal Growth

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.

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.

Seneca

Epictetus

This book compiles the complete surviving works of Epictetus, a prominent Stoic philosopher. It includes his Discourses, which were transcribed by his pupil Arrian, the Handbook (Enchiridion), a practical guide to moral self-improvement, and various Fragments. Epictetus's teachings focus on distinguishing between what is within our control and what is not, accepting nature's course, and living a virtuous life through rigorous self-discipline. Edited and translated by Robin Waterfield, this collection brings Epictetus's insights to modern readers on how to cope with various life challenges.

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

Gates of fire

Steven Pressfield

Gates of Fire tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of Xeones, a wounded Greek soldier who recounts his life and the events leading up to the battle. The novel explores Spartan culture, the rigorous training regimen known as the *agoge*, and the heroic stand of the Spartans against the overwhelming forces of the Persian Empire. The story is framed as a series of interviews between Xeones and members of the Persian court, detailing the battle and its aftermath, as well as the personal and philosophical aspects of Spartan warfare and culture.

Perennial seller

The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts

Ryan Holiday

In 'Perennial Seller', Ryan Holiday explores the principles behind creating works that endure and thrive long after their initial release. He argues that these 'perennial sellers' are not flukes but are built to last from the outset. The book is divided into four parts: the creative process, positioning, marketing, and platform. Holiday uses examples from various industries, including music, restaurants, and literature, to illustrate how creators can ensure their work remains relevant and continues to attract new customers over time. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to both the creation and marketing of the work, as well as the need for patience, dedication, and a strong platform of loyal supporters.

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.

The Persian Expedition

Pat

read by: Bottino

Xenophon

The Persian Expedition, also known as Anabasis, is Xenophon's firsthand account of the Ten Thousand Greek mercenaries who marched into Persia to support Prince Cyrus in his bid for the throne. After Cyrus's death, the Greeks were betrayed and had to fight their way back to Greece, facing numerous challenges and battles along the way. Xenophon's narrative provides valuable insights into ancient Greek culture and military tactics.

Ryan speaks with his friend Steven Pressfield during an impromptu walk along Town Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. The two discuss the life experiences behind Steven’s new book Govt Cheese a memoir, the lessons that they've learned from their many mentors, the value of repurposing content, and more.

Steven Pressfield wrote for 27 years before he got his first novel published. During that time he worked 21 different jobs in eleven states. Steven taught school, drove tractor-trailers, worked in advertising and as a screenwriter in Hollywood. He worked on offshore oil rigs, and picked fruit as a migrant worker. His books include the best-stelling Turning Pro, The War of Art and Gates of Fire.

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