This totally spoke to me. I'll get excited about an outline of posts I've created, then sit on it to the point that I convince myself it's not worth the effort. Then a few months ago I read Do the Work by Steven Pressfield. The book calls this the Resistance and it's out to kill our creativity, not just hold it back. He presents this in such a direct, humorous, and poignant way that I've read through it a couple times now just to get myself back into gear. You can read the book in one sitting -- and it will take you through Resistance and out the other side to buckling down and letting yourself do your calling.
Best wishes. I've followed you, which comes with an auto-vote. I look forward to hearing what you have to say. 😊
(The book link is affiliate link, which sends a small reward my way at no cost to you. I only uses for books that I paid for myself, used myself, and enjoyed.)
On Resistance...
Resistance has no conscience. It will pledge anything to get a deal, then double-cross you as soon as your back is turned. If you take Resistance at its word, you deserve everything you get. Resistance is always lying and always full of shit.
Its target is the epicenter of our being: our genius, our soul, the unique and priceless gift we were put on this earth to give and that no one else has but us. Resistance means business. When we fight it, we are in a war to the death.
On Doing the Work ...
A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or madman. It's only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.
Don't think. Act.
We can always revise and revisit once we've acted. But we can accomplish nothing until we act.
Love this! I like how the Resistance is portrayed as an active, living force that we must be keenly aware of and fight with all we have. I totally feel this force in my own life. I may actually have to give that book a read. Thanks for the insight 😊
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He's a writer, so this definitely speaks to writers. But one of my readings was to rediscover my inspiration for my exercise workouts. So it broadly applies to anything we know has long-term value for us, but instead lose ourselves in news headlines.
From what I understand, it's kind of killer summation of two other books that he wrote earlier: War of Art and Turning Pro. I recently started War of Art, which is still great, but a bit longer.
I'm guessing some folks might feel it's aggressive, but I enjoy the directness, the boldness, and (in the end) its kindness. In the end, I don't think it's a self-improvement book. It's more a call to action.
Even the "About this Book" section kicks if off so well.
"Where butts need to be kicked, we shall kick them. Where kinder, gentler methods are called for, we’ll get out the kid gloves."
I'll stop there. I already look like too much of a fanboy. 😋
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Yesss @seanlloyd!! I'll keep the fanboying going haha
I just read the "War of Art" and it has done so much for me. Or should I say it has at least helped me to identify that thing--The Resistance--that I could always sense was present and working against me, but could never quite put my finger on. I think naming the enemy is a big first step in the right direction, so now I can recognize when I'm being beaten by it. Beating it is the real challenge (that I am currently undergoing, success tbd).
@introspector if you're interested, the book is super short and I listened to it on YouTube here, and at 1.25x/1.5x speed it takes maybe a little over 2 hours. Couldn't recommend it highly enough!
I actually took screenshots of my favorite lines and have been *trying to read them every morning. I'll throw them on here in case someone might find it useful!
I just recommended this book to someone in another comment so seeing this gave me a kick, apologies for any over-enthusiasm lol
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