Over the last 3 years, I have encountered Steven Pressfield and discussion of his book, The War of Art over a dozen times. It would come up in podcasts, blog posts, and other books. Usually, if I notice a topic or theme show up in multiple ways, I take it as a sign that I need to seek it out. Unfortunately, and maybe aptly, I waited a long time before finally checking out The War of Art from the library. Even once I had it on my shelf at home, I waited far too long to open it. Once I did, I read it in a day and immediately ordered a personal copy. In this book, Steven Pressfield writes about resistance (why my reluctance to read it was so appropriate). He shares how it shows up in our work and how professionals work to overcome it.
This book had so many highlights and underlines that it would be appropriate to devote an entire Memorable Morsels to it. Below are some items from the book that resonated with me. I hope you find them useful.
“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”
“Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet.”
“Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt.”
“Resistance seems to come from outside ourselves” … but … “Resistance arises from within.”
“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.”
“Resistance will unfailingly point to true North.” “The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.” - (In STOIC terms, “The obstacle is the way.”)
“Resistance is universal.”
“Resistance is fueled by fear.”
“Resistance only opposes in one direction.” (There is no resistance toward an easier path)
“What’s particularly insidious about the rationalizations that Resistance presents to us is that a lot of them are true.”
Resistance is overcome by the professional.
“I will sit down and do my work.”
Professionals:
“Show up every day.”
“Show up no matter what.”
“Stay on the job all day.”
“Does not over identify with their job.”
“Master the techniques of their jobs”
“A Professional is patient.”
“A professional is prepared.” “He is prepared to confront his own self-sabotage.”
“A professional does not take failure personally”
There are so many more great blurbs in the first 2 sections of this book that define resistance and set the stage for the professional. The third part of the book emphasizes how the professional makes way for the muse. When resistance is thwarted and held at bay, our creativity can truly be realized and that is when our work really sings. I hope you can arm yourself against the enemy that Steven Pressfield calls resistance.
How does resistance show up for you in your work? How do you show your professionalism and counter-act it? Share below.