With the New Breed
The first critical hurdle in any home rebuild (I’m learning this now) is Debris Removal. In other words, getting rid of the mess that was your house. The way it seems to work is you can hire a private contractor and pay him … or the Army Corps of Engineers will do it for free. (If you have Debris Removal insurance, the Army Corps will be compensated by that.)
Today, Diana and I were up in our neighborhood along with some local friends who were also faced with rebuilding. We met with three officers—two Majors and a Captain—of the Army Corps. They had come to answer our questions and to relieve our concerns and anxieties. Here’s my takeaway:
First, all three were great guys and super-professional. The Army Corps of Engineers is apparently not some vast standing formation; it’s only eight hundred or so full-time military men. The primary work force is civilian contractors and heavy equipment operators hired on a job-by-job basis. These young officers were the core cadre. They organize and oversee the operation.
Our house—Diana’s and mine—is out in the boonies. Roads are narrow. There are rockslides and mudslides and retaining walls … it’s a hairy drive even in a civilian car, let alone at the controls of a 30-ton excavator that rolls on steel treads—not to mention the set-of-doubles haul trucks that must negotiate the same twists and switchbacks.
A young captain from Tennessee drove with us as we four-wheeled our way to our neighbor Jurgen’s property. I had never been there. It was like the Road to Mandalay, only narrower and steeper. Diana and I both turned to the captain. “Can your guys possibly get in here?”
“Oh yeah,” he said. “No problem.”
We asked him how.
“We’ll figure it out. That’s our job.”
If you’ve ever read E.B. Sledge’s classic WWII memoir, With the Old Breed, about the Marines on Peleliu and Okinawa, you know how much the young Eugene respected the vets of the Old Corps.
That’s how I feel about these new guys. I want to have their attitude. I want to be as cool as they are. I want to look at my own work and my own issues and be able to say, as that young captain did today, “We’ll figure it out. That’s our job.”
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.
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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.
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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?"
All the best, Steve!!
Yup. This is what we have done in my country (Finland) for centuries: figuring out how to make the barren ground fertile in our cold and harsh climate. Figuring out how to survive the attack of a mighty military power, sending an army of 500,000 men to our country of just 3,6 million people in 1939. And here we are again – figuring out how to protect ourselves now that our neighbour is threatening us again, the other superpower cheering in the background.
And yes. I am angry. And devastated. But mostly angry and I am using my rage as fuel for resisting the madness that is going on in the world, with all I can. Follow me on Substack!
And: Slava Ukraini
They are the real badasses!
Yes Kati -I have known and worked with many Finns -in Finland and elsewhere.
And I have the greatest respect for Finns and Finland.
They know what is required to protect a great society and the sacrifices that citizens must make to build and maintain a great nation -compared with many other Western countries where this knowledge no longer exists among their peoples to the degree that I see in Finland.
And yes, to say the obvious, this is a dangerous time for Europe.
But it does seem that many Europeans are now realizing that great sacrifices are again required of all Europeans-
-in the terrible but necessary battles that are ahead of them.
All best wishes to you Katie,
Harry Black
I am sorry for all that you have to bear dear Kati.
I am sorry for the foolishness of the political and other people who are involved into such acts. Sorry for their mothers and fathers too and their teachers who failed to inspire great people and instead lead to dark and unsculptuous minds.
I always see the bright side too. Science, those thousands of scientific researches and experiments every day that lead to a better world. All the organisations that fight for the good and the protection of life in all its forms. The doctors who save and relieve millions every day and again millions the next day for 365 days a year for hundreds of years. The social workers, the engineers, the philosophers etc. And they seem to be in the fog these times, but I believe that is a distraction (something evil seems mistakenly as much more important and crucial than a good of exactly the same value, that has to do with the workings of the mind, learned that from a scientist who won the Nobel prize, Daniel Kahneman), because of the universal law of innevitability (cause and effect): the numbers of the people who make the world better through their jobs, sciences etc. are so many that their effects on the world will be infinitely more than of those sick and distorted people, even if it doesn’t seem so.
So most of all I wish you many years of revolution, that you, like all bright people out there, are the source of the future’s peace and creativity. Like it was said in the LOTR trilogy: “If you can’t make it, no one will.” All good men and women in life need your contribution.
Moi Kati, I was fortunate enough to work for a Finnish company at one time, where I got to learn about Finnish sisu. The Finns definitely know how to figure things out.
Kati,
There are many of us out here trying to make sense of madness. We do as Steve suggested, organize and figure it out as we go along. The important thing is to never stop showing up.
Steve, I send all best and strongest wishes that you and Diana can rebuild your home in quick time.
Well, build anew, just as you both desire.
And yes, that Army captain of engineers has the attitude required to build and re-build homes, neighborhoods, and nations.
Isn’t it lovely when you meet some amazing humans that inspire you to be amazing too. Heartwarming. Thanks for sharing
Yes because kindness is weirdly contagious – just like meanness, I guess! I know which I choose.
Semper Fi.
and, hang tough !
sr
That phrase could be a title of a great book on determination, dear Steve.
Don’t get fooled by the repeatition of each day and the loss of sight of what good you do in this world. You try and figure it out every day, from a position very crucial, and you stand a ground that is examplary to humans. If at any time doubt comes to you, that is great: a new message from the heart wants to be born and the anxiety is the pain of birth.
Yesterday night I read for the first time the1st piece of Spider Man of Stan Lee, where Peter Parker (the man behind the mask) discovered his power of the spider, but after the enthusiasm he immediately felt a repulsion to the idea that he should help other people. The reason was that even in the first page, his colleagues would mock and laugh at him for being a non-erotic, non-bright in colors young science student with glasses and typical trousers who was not going to be a candidate to go to the school’s dance, while the others were fun to be with and colorful and musculine and the ladies were bright and intense etc. and they were all probably dancing stars. So when he got the spider powers, he only wanted to support his aged aunt and uncle with them, because they were the only ones who loved him and treated him like a boy-prince. So he let a thief run away from a police officer, only to find out the next night that this thief killed his uncle to steal their house that night. Then he got a message: with great power comes great responsibility.
I myself stood in my life between those two symbols, about 95% a full of energy introvert and about 5-25% someone who wanted to have power and to impress, but I really couldn’t live that – it wasn’t in my path, my power was of another kind mostly and it took years to even start tapping that treasure.
Like Peter in the trenches, we must remember this. We must figure out how to invest our power. That’s our game. Or else we end up giving full attention and energy and physicality only talking about who did what to whom yesterday and how we cooked that dinner with extra herbs and how we did a simple act one day. These are all great stuff too, but only in ballance. Ballance. They should occupy a ballanced piece of our personal cosmos compared to our higher callings.
Until we create on this earth that Utopia where we shall all be able to be children without bad consequences. Even that future is possible dear Steve, and we weave to it like millions of Fates.
I love this so much! As someone once said to me, you too shall get through this. As always, thank you for your inspirational writing.
One of my uncles was in the Engineers in WW2, His unit supported the Infantry unit that my Dad was in. Uncle John stepped into my life when my Dad was killed in action. When I needed him he was the one who taught me to read. He would bring home “Classics Illustrated” comic books when I was 4. He’d cuddle me with one arm so I could see the page. By the time I was 6, I had my own copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and hungry for more. He more than kept his promise to my Dad that he would do his best for me. He figured out the best thing I would need, and made it happen. Best of all things, Stephen and Diana.
Steve and Diana,
Thanks for inspiration beyond words. Keep to the task. You will make it.
Enlivened by purpose and process, trust and self-confidence, yes! I want to be that person too. Work and practice within a community of practitioners and professionals, holds and feeds, waters and sustains strength.
Communities of practice rock. They rock and cradle us into new beginnings. Blessings on your journey, Stephen and your community, and THIS community of practice too. Blessed be this time of new beginnings and strength in communities of practice!
P.S.
Thanks for passing on the book , With the Old Breed. I lost a great- uncle on the island. There are several members of my family I never met due to untimely death. (A grandfather to the coal mines, geat- uncle to war, etc.) I wish to do them honor in some way. Maybe this book will help.
Thanks, Steve. Best wishes.
Thank you for sharing your story of the first steps of rebuilding and the spirit of the Army Corps of Engineers officer. I will keep “No problem, we’ll figure it out” close as I paint and in life. I can picture the huge machines and the step narrow roads. Wish you all the best.
Hey, what about journaling this experience and journey you’re on, and then write a book about it. I’ll buy it. But let it all hang out. Not just the rebuilding details and people involved, which will be fascinating on their own. But also, at this stage of your life, after everything, and now rebuilding and recreating on this scale. The gamut of emotions. It could be quite something, and coming from you… I’m sure it will be.
“That’s how I feel about these new guys. I want to have their attitude. I want to be as cool as they are. I want to look at my own work and my own issues and be able to say, as that young captain did today, “We’ll figure it out. That’s our job.”
This is precisely how so many of us feel about your work, Steven! When we write or create, we must tell ourselves, “we’ll figure it out” just like Gov SP does.
Your words, your story, and the expression of confidence, capability, and resilience came at just the right time for me today.
I too want to have that attitude, to find the ways of moving through issues and doing the work to succeed and figure it out.
Heartwarming and encouraging, thank you, Steven.
I’m glad the Corps is there helping you all and thanks for the update. Sending my best.
If only we could all look at every problem in the same way a skilled tradesman does.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I teared up reading it. I’m in the middle of a creative build at the moment, which is requiring a personal re-build. Pales in comparison to what you’re experiencing, but this still resonated deeply. My heart and soul are with you, your wife, and your neighbors!!!
I love this, Steven! Thank you so much for all the inspiration. Sending the very best wishes to you and Diana as you navigate the rebuilding process.
I have thought of you every day for years as I put my butt in my chair, overcome the Resistance, and write. Sending you prayers and vibes and wishes and miracles — holding the knowledge that your partner and you will warrior on to make art from ashes.
Praying for you and all the others who lost so much. Also, praying that these great people of the Army Corps don’t find themselves under attack by the Musk federal worker purge.
Praying for you and all the others who lost so much. Also, praying that these great people of the Army Corps don’t find themselves under attack by the Musk federal worker purge.
Inspiring dudes, for sure! And I love how you’ve turned this horrible thing you’re going through into a learning opportunity–for yourself and everyone else. Appreciate you, Steven.
“We’ll figure it out. That’s our job.”
My new motto for life.
Good luck Steve & Diana!
Build it be back better than ever.
Bravo. Amen. Yes.
Glad to hear you’re making progress toward recovery and that the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is assisting. You’re in good hands. One clarification – while it’s true that USACE has around 800 uniformed officers, that is only 2% of the total workforce. The other 36,000 employees are civilian men and women (some of whom are veterans) who make it all happen. I worked in the private sector for 32 years, most of it as a business owner, when I decided to change things up and try working for the federal government, and see for myself if there was any truth to the claims that federal workers are all lazy and incompetent. I was offered a position as a district chief appraiser and spent the last 7 years of my regular career there. While USACE is not a flawless operation, I found the employees no less competent or hard working than any private company I had ever worked for or observed. And most of the employees are dedicated to the USACE mission, not just to maximize their own financial position for the least amount of effort. You are now finding out just how important that mission is. Most people don’t know of that mission and have been lead to believe that federal employees are incompetent deadbeats in a bloated bureaucracy. And I find it rather ironic that some of those same critics have select Dilbert comic strips posted on their cubicles inspired by and mocking the incompetence of employees and management that Scott Adams observed at a private-sector business, not a government operation.
I wish you success and haste in your recovery, and thanks for continuing to post during this difficult transition period for you.
Love it!! You said it perfectly. That’s how I want to be as well.
I would highly recommend any American feeling despondent about the state of our youth or the future of our nation spend some time with the young wen and women who make up our military.Just like you had the chance to do Steve. I’ve had to pleasure to interact with these fine young people at West Point and a few other times over the years, and it really does leave you with a feeling, a sense of optimism and pride. That’s just how tough, strong, organized ab and absolutely with a “we’ll get the job done attitude” that these young folks have. It is truly inspiring and highly recommended. Good Bless our Military!
All I can say, from one Marine to another, is OOOOORAH!
I love this post (I love all your posts, and am SO sorry you are going through this great loss – with class, I might add.) This one made me tear up. And gives me hope in these dark times.
A quote from the Buddha: “Everyone I love and all that is dear to me are impermanent. I cannot avoid being separated from them all.”
I noticed you wrote: “Our house—Diana’s and mine” Of course it’s not your house. It never was. All that we use is on loan to us. My career, it turns out was on loan to me as was my youth and my healthy body. At 71 years old, I’m still trying to figure out how it all passed so quickly. Learning to let go is the main teaching of the Buddha.
One more quote from the Buddha: “Nothing whatsoever should be clung to as me or mine.”
There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who recoil at the written instructions that come with furniture you have to assemble, and those who dig in with glee. My daughter digs in with glee. Where did that come from, that comfort with uncertainty?
My husband’s guess was our family motto: “We’ll figure it out.” Then he teased me about being the reason we even have a family motto. I probably heard the suggestion from someone else. “But who actually follows through on things like that?” he asked. “Who?”
Katie grew up with parents who joke that if their business had a logo it would be fog. So you don’t know what to do next. So what? You’ll figure it out. The extent to which she internalized that motto inspires us. That’s why you raise children, so they can raise you right back.
As a young kid, much to the amusement of my dad – a career Air Force officer, I joined the Marine Corps Reserve. I graduated from boot camp at 17 years old. I tell everyone it was a great life experience. Among the things the Marine Corps taught me that lives strong in me – is that we must, Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome. I use that adage all the time. With myself, my kids, and my clients. It is good to be in the foxhole (literal or otherwise) with folks with that kind of attitude.
Accolades for the Army Corps of Engineers cannot be too high for me. Over here in Alabama they manage the rivers and some lakes. When they build something, it is built for life. The campgrounds they build in the process of caring for the waterways are the very best. My husband was the best at figuring out building and repairing. He taught me. Thanks for the reminder of all that, and that I don’t have to fear the unknown. I pray all goes well with your rebuilding.
Yep, that’s called taking ownership and that’s called being honorable.
Good luck with the new construction, sir.
Great to be in the hands of hardcore professionals.
It’s those with that attitude, and who won’t let initial failure stop them, that actually make society run. Like the guys who brought their heavy machinery to shore up a stretch of I-77 in North Carolina that the government said would take months to rebuild. It must be so heartwarming to have these dedicated and skilled people on your side.
Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing that with us. I, too, desire to say that about my own circumstances and life!! “I’ll figure it out. That’s my job!
Bless you as you rebuild. That’s a task in itself and you’ll be figuring it out for days to come, but I’m glad you’re at least getting started.
As within, as without. Universe sent you these guys Steve and Diana as a reminder I believe, that everything is possible when your frequency is attuned. You will get your home rebuilt in no time, you´ll see. Send you love and gratefulness for your mission
Raise a new beautiful home from the ashes. It won’t be easy but you will figure it out. Best wishes.
There is no end to events that cause losses and hardships for human beings.
That’s why some humans developed:
(a) religions and spiritual practices
– and-
(b) the attitude that we must do what we must do to survive and perhaps thrive.
Oh, and there’s no those who escape the pains of reality by using various devices.
I’ve been one of ‘em, all too often, along the way
So many comments to like. I don’t know why this hit me so hard, but it did. Courage and confidence, like everything, are contagious. God bless this young Captain–and all of the victims of this fire. You and Diana are in so many hearts and minds across this nation–across this world.
bsn
<3
Saya suka bagaimana Anda menjelaskan ini dengan contoh yang jelas.
I just love this attitude.
Hello Everyone!
As you know, my dear friend, Steven Pressfield and his partner, Diana Wilburn, have lost everything in the recent Los Angeles fires—including his home of 32 years and the writing space where he crafted “The War of Art” and many other life-changing works.
Steven and Diana have spent their lives giving—to family, friends, readers, artists, and their community. Now, in their time of need, it’s our turn to give back.
Despite their deep humility, they’ve agreed to let me set up a GoFundMe campaign on their behalf. Every dollar raised will go directly to them for temporary housing, essentials, and the long road to rebuilding their home.
The path ahead is uncertain, but they don’t have to walk it alone. With our support, we can help them rebuild not just their home, but their lives. Let’s show them the same generosity, kindness, and love they’ve shared with so many.
More about their journey can be found here: https://gofund.me/f952c3f9
Thanks for your consideration and support!
Stephen
Wonderful positive post Stephen!
Best wishes for your new Beautiful Home!
“We’ll figure it out. That’s our job.” What a great motto! Love it. Thanks for sharing and best of all things good toward getting on with your life.
I wonder if people if the people who lost their homes still have ti pay on the original mortgage.
I wonder if the people who lost their homes still have mortgage payments on top of the cost to rebuild.
I’ll figure it out. That’s my job.
An absolutely grounding and encouraging affirmation
Feels like my strength just got a stronger, cooler, kick-ass buddy
Thank you
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This story is truly inspiring! It not only shows the professionalism and sense of responsibility of the young soldiers but also conveys a powerful lesson about the attitude towards challenges. “We’ll figure it out. That’s our job.” – a simple yet powerful philosophy that anyone can apply to work and life. Do you feel the same way?
You used “military men”. I seriously doubt that there aren’t any women amongst the 800 full time military personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers. As a woman veteran, this type of language jumps out at me and is irksome AF.
Hopefully the crew has forgiven themselves for the unbridled passion they held in 2021 for these watches. It’s fun to see which watches made the cut a few years ago that have remained link in the watch zeitgeist and which ones we’ve more or less forgotten about which isn’t a bad thing just means they’re off doing their jobs on the wrists of some very happy customers somewhere. I myself was most surprised by James Stacey’s pick.
If only we could approach every problem with the precision and practicality of a skilled tradesman.
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