Gotta Do It
Continuing our discussion on Resistance “coming second,” i.e. only in response to (and reaction against) a creative Dream … let’s consider what it means when we find ourselves experiencing MASSIVE RESISTANCE to a project we have in mind.
Remember we employed a visual to help us understand this. We said that the Dream is like a tree in the middle of a sunny meadow. The tree casts a shadow.
The tree is our Dream.
The shadow is the Resistance we feel to pursuing it.
The shadow is directly proportional to the size of the tree. Big tree = big shadow.
The scale of our Resistance is directly proportional to the size of our Dream. Big dream = big Resistance.
Which leads us to a third principle of the creative struggle:
The more Resistance we feel to tackling a particular project, the more certain we can be that we HAVE TO DO IT.
An actress trying to choose between two roles will often say, “I picked Role B because it was the one I was most afraid of. It was the one that I knew would challenge me and make me stretch and grow.”
In other words, we can use our own Resistance as a way of guiding us through difficult times and decisions.
Little tree = little shadow.
Little dream = little Resistance.
Big tree = big shadow.
Big Dream = big Resistance.
Go for the one that scares us the most, the one that’s hitting us with the most intense Resistance. That’s the Right One. That’s the one we should pick.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Beautiful and timely. Thank you Stephen
Apologies – Steven!!
Thank you so much dear Steve!
The great shadow (what a title) hides the best dream. Smaller shadows are entered easier like you wrote in War of Art.
I came across the idea that fear is good because it energizes us and doubt is bad because it turns off our engines. If that is accurate, then like you said, shadow should be approached with fear, not doubt.
How can we have desire for fear?
Maybe one way is what Socrate’s philosophy was, to learn our selves. To understand the dynamics of the world and labor on our personal path. A path not only orthological but also existential.
I wrote a dozen of dreams the other day. They are all equally important as far as I can tell. But some are easier to achieve, some less. I remember mr. Brian Tracy, one of my first guides, declaring ways to approach a project (and our life’s purpose, that consists of those dozen or so dreams, is the greatest project). He said we can tackle it from around to the center, like I seem to do, or going to the center at once leaving the peripherals. I can see the beauty on the 1st choice, but also the Resistance hiding and waiting to kill.
Saying that, I must send you a small book. I found it to be useful because the writer brings forth other dynamics not easily thought of, although of the dark side.
My humble advice to us today is to remember those dozen or so absolute dreams we have. And then start riding. Mine were some difficult like the book and even more the conclusions I ended up with on what I must do after that, but some were easy, like great movies (the AFI collection you shared, already saw 3 of those – the Godfather was thrilling, an age of men in a nutshell) and some special documentaries starting to explore life again.
Starting from the peripherals, struggling to go closer to the center. One orthological man I interviewed for the Master said, we actually have time enough to make them all. We only need to organize well. A doctor of endless responsibilities also said that it wasn’t time that was his problem on participating on volunteer action, but lack of awareness and information of that action. What a revelation.
But let me lose not the tree for the forest. The shadow.
I love visualizing the tree–thank you, Steve!! Well said, Tolis.
Thank you my dear Kate <3
Steve, I love how you shed Light by putting the profound into simple anaologies. Keep up the great work.
It’s fucking scary!
Perfect timing! Thank you, Steve!
I really needed to hear this today. Thank you so much, Steven, for sharing your deep understanding of the artistic soul.
Muito bom. Obrigado
I love this morning read. You put it in layman’s terms. The word/thought of “RESISTANCE” comes into my thoughts on a daily basis. Keep the good reading coming Steve.
Go Be Great!
Johnny
You made me want to dream big again! Let’s see! Thank you
I love these last few blog posts! So spot on!! Thank you!
I had much less fear at age 26 than I do now at 76. Aging is interesting. An honest, yet uncomfortable truth!
Any other mature😊senior citizens experiencing this feeling?
I was just reading Pema Chodron: “The Places That Scare You; A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times” the night before last. One of the points she brings up : “Strong Determination is our commitment to use our lives to dissolve the indifference, aggression and grasping that separate us from one another.” This starts the 2nd paragraph of Ch. 15, Strength. Writing of any form ( Novels, scripts, journalism….) is for sharing thoughts with others, so what she says seems applicable here.
Thanks, Steve for pointing out “BIGGER TREE, BIGGER SHADOW”.
Honestly Rodney, I find the opposite to be true for me. As I age, I push myself out of the comfort zone so as not to become complacent. I figure I have one go at this life. I fear tigers and grizzly bears because they can eat you. But I still go outside. 🙂
Does this apply to breaking a lifelong bad habit? It sure feels like it might!
You’re on to something, Maureen! My “stinkin thinkin” is a bad habit in the way of my dreams. Resistance casts a long dark shadow on such a beautiful Cypress tree–mine is in the swamp! 🙂
My dear Kate I do this: I speak my thoughta. That way you have control cause the little gremlins inside your head can’t control them if spoken! Have this in mind.
Dear Maureen, “worry not”: you are wise and you will do what you must <3
Thank you, Tolis <3!!!
Very interesting! I hadn’t thought of these going together, but I feel in my gut that what you’re saying is true. I have for many years, for a multitude of reasons, felt a lot of resistance to prioritizing my own health, especially when it comes to eating habits and weight. As my weight continued to creep up, I realized that I really wanted to take charge of my health. And as I have changed my mindset and have a clearly defined dream, the action steps aren’t as daunting as I had feared. I’m down a fair amount of weight in a bit less than two months, and my attitude (and pull) toward food has changed and continues to evolve in wonderful ways that feel very sustainable and not at all restrictive. Thanks so much for your insights!
Steven, the utility of “Fear” interest me. Could it be that fear is also good evidence of effort?
I’m thinking of it as a temporary mood state of – silent wonder, radical amazement, and affectionate, jaw-dropping awe at the infinite workings and mercy of a creative act. Perhaps it is most active in us to the degree that we are willing to court its immense power.
Scary? Yes.
This couldn’t be more perfectly timed! I’m noticing LOTS of resistance with a big dream I’m working towards. Thank you so much for your wisdom. 💫
I do many things that scare me. Then ask myself “why?” Can this also be a form of resistance?
I’m an artist. About ten years ago I entered a local exhibit with four paintings. Each one was of a different category ie., portrait, landscape and so on. There would be ribbons and monetary prizes. The juror was a retired art professor from Wayne State University. I won Best of Show. The curator asked if she could take me around to let me know what each of his critiques were. When we got to the prize winning painting she said he approached it and exclaimed, “I can’t judge this! This is at an international level!” That scared the heck out of me and I almost stopped painting completely for a year. P.S.Some anonymous person bought the painting.
I feel like I took the cowards path. Why!
Okay!
Thank you. Got one I find reason to not do everyday.
The War of Art teaches that doing our work is the best therapy for whatever ails us. The work is the beam that lies high across the chasm of our dreams and our pitiful lives!
OK…..started. Shaking hands, heart pounding and all but started. Finally. Thank you.
Very informative blog
Yes, the Resistance is uncomfortable. But that uncomfortable feeling makes the “gold” sparkle so we can see it.
It’s like shining a light into a cave. When we see the golden sparkles reflected back to us, we’ve finally found the path we must take.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the posts of the past 3 weeks. The tree is such a powerful metaphor. And I see the storms that shake and topple the small tree but barely move that Big Dream tree because I have let it take root in my soul. We nourish each other and grow together and (taking the metaohor too far?), one day it will bear fruit. Thank you again Steven, for keeping me on the path each week with your wisdom.
I like your insight to the Big Dream tree taking root in your soul. Powerful. Glad to hear from you.
I’m glad you’re back, too!
Thanks to you both! It’s been another long road of intensive caregiving (since early March), but I’m now back in the studio and in my writing chair. I’ve learned not to make plans. I just keep getting back to work whenever I can.
Great!!!
Steve, This post is so right on and comes for me at the right moment. Big tree=Big Shadow. “ And she shall be like a tree that stands by the rivers of water that bringeth forth its fruit in its season. It’s riots also shall not wither, and whatsoever it doeth shall
props per
Brilliant and very timely at this time. Thank you. Better to go big than wallow in mediocrity.
Great!!! Just love it.
The tree and its shadow analogy is a brilliant way to visualize this principle. It’s so simple yet profound. The bigger the Dream, the more significant the Resistance, but that Incredibox Colorbox Mustard Resistance becomes the fuel for our growth.
This is such a powerful perspective on Resistance! The analogy of the tree and shadow beautifully illustrates how our biggest dreams often come with the greatest challenges. It’s inspiring to think of Resistance as a guide rather than a barrier. Thank you for this motivational reminder to embrace the hard paths!
What an insightful piece! The idea that our Resistance is directly tied to the size of our Dream really resonates. It’s a great reminder to lean into discomfort and use it as a sign of what truly matters. Thanks for sharing such a compelling and actionable concept!
This is a game-changer for anyone facing creative struggles. Seeing Resistance as a measure of a dream’s significance gives so much clarity and courage. The “go for the one that scares you” approach is both terrifying and exciting—thank you for the encouragement to tackle those big dreams!
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Very nice article.. Thanks for share..
Your dedication and effort are nothing short of amazing! The way you pour yourself into everything you do inspires everyone around you.
Keep being awesome—you’ve got this!
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The shadow is the Resistance we feel to pursuing it.
When you’ve got a goal, hesitation won’t get you there. Dive in, face challenges head-on, and take action. Success favors those who try, fail, and try again. No excuses—just focus and do it!
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