The Enemy, Revisited
What exactly is keeping you and me from being “the rightful lords of our own persons?”
It’s not enemies and competitors in the real world, however potent or formidable they may be. It’s not political adversaries or invading armies or any of the other totally real and fully legitimate forces that may oppose us in the external world.
We can beat those. They’re visible. We see them. We can rally our forces and overcome them.
What’s really stopping us is inside our heads.
Resistance = fear, self-doubt, procrastination, hesitation, susceptibility to distraction, to pleasure, to vice; inability to defer gratification; fear of failure, fear of success; arrogance, complacency, self-infatuation, perfectionism. Do I need to keep going?
All these come from our cave-brain, our fear-brain, our ego-brain. (Seth Godin would say our lizard-brain, the amygdala.)
What you and I are trying to teach ourselves as artists and as human beings, whether we realize it or not, is to evolve from a primitive, tribal, fear-driven, other-directed and other-governed, clueless organism into a conscious, self-aware, self-organizing, self-directed free and independent individual.
We’re like the fish in the comic strip that first crawled up on dry land. We’re trying to breathe and all we’ve got are girls, struggling to stand when all we have are fins.
Can we change?
Can we evolve?
We can if we can identify the enemy and confront it.
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?"
Typo alert:
”…and all we’ve got are girls”
I think you might have meant all we have are GILLS?
🙂 I kinda like it. 🙂
I’m with you, Cathy Ryan. Me and my girls are having trouble breathing, too. But I kinda like it when a seasoned, professional, successful writer like Pressfield makes a mistake. It reassures me that even the best aren’t always perfect. And since the article states Resistance = perfectionism, was this typo planned? (Bad grammar and typos expected.)
I saw that too
> the rightful lords of our own persons
> self-directed free and independent individual
Irony if the one can’t be lord of something what is “free” and “independent”. Either you make yourself a tool for your goals (the lord thingy) either you live your own life your own way (the freedom-independence thingy). But they are mutually exclusive.
—
> evolve from a primitive, tribal, fear-driven, other-directed and other-governed
You have too much of top-down look at how our ancestors lived. I’m not sure that today we are any less fear driven or less “other directed” and “other-govened” (which is I’m sure is times more today than at before times) than our tribal ancestors. Actually we are most probably have way more psychological problems than tribal ancestors.
—
> We can if we can identify the enemy and confront it.
The lazy, scared person is not an enemy. It’s you, me, they. You can’t defeat what you call an enemy and stay a whole person. You can’t live fulfilling life while ignoring or defeating a good chunk of yourself.
—
Don’t make others fall into this trap of wanting mutually exclusive things and bringing more suffering to self and others. It’s not easy to get out of it.
Side effects of this evolution may include: joy,peace, compassion, empathy, love, humility, kindness, faith, hope,generosity, and truth.
We can have everything for the price of an effort.
I wish all a week filled with effort. Thanks, Steve.
I wish all I had was girls! 😉
Thanks for the reminder, Steven!
(And for your book The War of Art”)
“All we’ve got are girls …” STET. Perfect just like that.
Typo or no, good direction as ever, thanks!
Interesting how “fear of failure” and “fear of success” are so closely tied. They’re close cousins. A Taijitu (太極圖) or “yin-yang.” Whether fear of failure or fear of success, both are the same when viewed as “fear of change.”
Gills/girls… the wabi-sabi of Writing Wednesdays.
Well said, Joe! We must embrace change with courage if we are to succeed. Outgrowing environments or systems that keep us safe can feel scary. You nailed it. It is ultimately a fear of change.
Yeah, Kate. Everything from Whitehead’s “process philosophy” to quantum mechanics say there are no “things,” only “processes.” At the deepest levels, life is change. Denying change (heels dug in, trying to stay static) is denying life. And we stall out out in fear of putting something out there with a flat note or a typo.
Me go rite sum wurds now. 🙂
Good catch – two sides of the same coin. When procrastinating submissions it’s not just b/c of rejection – what if they say YES! And then I’m exposed. Well…compassion with this complex being helps. Namaste.
Interesting to add that sculpture by Rodin. The unique thing about it is that the figure has his elbow on the opposite knee. It kinda represents thinking outside of the box to me.
Since I lost my husband and HS sweetheart I’ve been isolating. I literally don’t go out unless it’s mandatory.
“What you do when you’re all alone is really who you are.” That’s what my X used to say. I’ve thought about that a lot being alone now.
Resistance has been fed by all the changes that come with losing someone you have dreamed about since you were 17. It’s different, more significant, losing an intimate partner. It just is.
So now, after three and a half years of grieving, I’m still here, wondering who I am and if I’ll ever do art again. Has Resistance won? Because what I’ve been doing “all alone”, has become the definition of who I am.
Really?
That sculpture of Rodin’s, elbow on the opposite knee? That’s been me for the last few weeks. I’ve been pondering everything. I took out some canvases. I’ve redone some old ones. I’m trying to revive myself and find out who myself even is. Resistance keeps saying it’s too late and why bother at this point but I beg to differ. I’m beginning to understand that poses, in how we think about ourselves, can be opposite than what we thought before. That leaves on trees are bright lime green in the early morning light and to not wait till the afternoon to see them. That strength and fortitude exist… if you breathe it all in.
I guess I’m rambling but it’s because we are all complicated, blocking out the essence of creativity for various reasons. But we can revive ourselves.
🍃🌸🍃
Another thing about that sculpture? It’s not a logical pose. I am also a sculptor so that’s important to me.
AI says, “ Logical” describes something that makes sense, follows correct reasoning, or is a natural consequence of prior events, based on principles of logic rather than emotion, often involving clear thinking and consistency. It can refer to sound arguments, sensible actions”… etc.
NOTHING is logical but it exists anyway. So, maybe the road forward is only in creativity?
🍃🌸🍃
Kathy,
My Dad passed a year and a half ago. I miss him every day. I hope his story helps you.
While cleaning and clearing my parent’s house, I came across containers filled with unidentifiable matter. Upon discovery of gold panning equipment, I deduced the material in the containers was dirt. While on vacation, Dad collected containers of dirt from a river known to hold gold deposits. The dirt and panning supplies sold at auction for $43.00.
Kathy, I hope you choose to make art.
Jackie? I am so sorry but I do not understand.
I’m sorry. I try to be brief but cut out too much at times. My Dad always wanted to pan for gold. He collected the dirt to sift through it at a later date. He set his dream aside. Life doesn’t wait until we’re ready. Dad never sifted that dirt and realized his dream. Dreams are worth more than $43. I don’t want you to give up or to wait. I hope you go for it.
I’m somewhat dyslexic. My first try usually doesn’t make sense. I hope I cleared that up.
Ohhh! Jackie!! BEAUTIFUL STORY! Bless your dad’s heart. Awe.
Kathy… so glad to know you’re in here each week. I’m hearing you: in your grief, isolating yourself. Solitude is good sometimes, in the right doses.
I’m thinking how creativity (your words above being the product of your creative drive) is allowed to flow when there’s somebody out there for it to flow TO.
Stephen King’s “ideal reader,” for instance. Or a chef… why even make a gourmet meal if not for the person who will experience that food?
Or you. Here. Knowing that there’s this little community, you know that you’ll be heard. You’ll be seen. Somebodies here are recipients of your gifts.
Not around. “Through.” You’re doing it. Hang tough.
Condolences. Sounds like you’re very wise. Can you put your grief on paper – and the moments of light? Writing has seen me through dark times – trauma and loss. In fact, it’s the reason I write! And it’s some of my best writing. No pressure – freewrite with your opposite hand – that can free the muse. Peace.
Hey, wait!
I raised 2 gills, err, girls !
And they definitely “changed” and “evolved” !
tee hee,,,,
Thank you Steve perfect, in a nutshell understanding
The thing in my head is the result of humanity trying to progress on the level of
materialism instead of contacting spirit, presence for thousands of years now.
(How did the ancient Egyptians live)?
As a painter , sculptor, I realize for some time now (thanks for your books) that
intellect (ego ) is the culprit and action is the path, I make the work.
(Reading the book ( The Impersonal Life ), Joseph Benner, suggesting we
disregard personality and stay present to the Creator, the only way to freedom.
As to the previous note on grieving, I went through the same thing (3 years as well)
then drew a line in the sand and started to work daily, ( ‘Freedom’s just another word for
nothin left to loose” ) thank you Janis. Thank you Steve.
Alfred… dang. As always, looking around to see what’s going on in my world that might resonate with what Steve is writing about this week. Or what’s in my orbit that might resonate with something one of you say.
You mention “contacting spirit” and something about how the ancient Egyptians do it. I just this morning shared something with one of my brothers and his wife. Talking about how saying the name of a deceased person, or thinking about them intently, seems to channel energy their way.
I won’t put a link in here, because that seems to get comments hung up “waiting for moderation.”
The thing that resonates is a one-minute segment from National Geographic’s documentary series: “Beyond Death (Full Episode) | The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.” Search for the title on YouTube.
The segment that fits with “the thing in you head” and ancient Egyptians being in connection with departed spirits is in this video, from 0:46:10 to about 0:47:20
“The name is one of the most important things. If you have your name written down and people say it, their ‘ka’ is given this burst of energy and they are living.”
It’s inside our head attitude that you need to overcome , victor frankl said ‘ the greatest freedom is choosing your attitude in any set of circumstances!”
Thanks for the share, Kathy. Sending you good vibes. It’s not too late.
As Alfred did above, I’m hoping you, too, “draw a line in the sand” and pull out those canvases daily as a step toward healing.
Letting life flow. Good prescription, doctor.
Joe, thank you.
Brad, thank you.
Last week at the end of a Practice & Support session I lead for my clients who struggle with chronic pain, I asked them to ponder this question in the interval between sessions, “How much success, relief, positive change, etc. can you tolerate?”
Resistance hates when we can allow more of these ways of being in our lives.
Yup. I’m there. Amygdala hijack mode! Since Jan 20 2025? Nah, my whole life on an off. And now in particular. In Washington, DC – belly of the beast. I protested yesterday – that helped – overcoming Resistance by marching – and screaming. I have 10 chapters to go to complete draft 7 of my precious memoir. Perfectionist, me? It has gotten better – much better in this round. But then it’s time to get it out. Politics no – my roommate who makes to much noise no – my Polly OCD Perfectionist who like to blame the world for her lack of concentration – true there are MANY distractions in this day and age. But…you are right, Steve…the true enemy is me. Breathe. Begin again.
I have evolved from “confronting” the “enemy” or my shadow to now dancing with my shadow. All of the traits you mentioned that keep us from becoming fully human are in our subconscious. We put them there. If we put them there then we can learn from them, dance with them and then see those “enemies” as gifts.
There’s the journey to independence, and what about interdependence, and what lies beyond or maybe beneath even all that?
Something in this discussion makes me want to share this short post I also read this morning:
Your Ego Will Mourn
Upon awakening you will miss the moments portrayed so well in innumerable movies and in real life in which you feel most deeply alive when your heart is broken by not getting (or not keeping) that person who will fulfill all your dreams of love, happiness, and that ultimate sense of completeness we are all seeking in the time bound world of the ego (tragedy). Or, when you do get your heart’s desire and for that brief moment in time (and on the screen), you believe in the happy ending where all will be eternal joy and the fullness for which you have been forever searching.
All that you will lose because you will know that within yourself, timeless, independent of any one person, circumstance, or outcome, you are complete. But that knowing is not you as your separate self wallowing in ultimate pain or ultimate joy, but a you connected to everything and everyone, impersonal and fully accepting the completeness of what is, whatever it is, which is an entirely different reality than the egoic heroic suffering of the individual story we all see ourselves at the center of.
You, as the hero of your own life, will be gone. You will have discovered something far greater than you the lone protagonist, battling impossible odds in a harsh world to come out victorious. You will know that there is no battle, no victory, and no you. “You” are now one with everything and everyone and it with you. Everything, including you, is just a manifestation of the source for which you are now a living breathing conduit. You are awareness now aware of itself, which is everywhere, in everything, and in every moment. And your ego will mourn itself.
©️Lawrence bearg 2025
“What you and I are trying to teach ourselves as artists and as human beings, whether we realize it or not, is to evolve from a primitive, tribal, fear-driven, other-directed and other-governed, clueless organism into a conscious, self-aware, self-organizing, self-directed free and independent individual.”
I love that sentence!
Now that’s a true “Hero’s Journey” where the person takes on a daunting task and is transformed by the challenge.
Thank you so much dear Steve.
There is a great truth, the law of cause and effect. If we don’t act, all our creations of worlds will be… in our individual mind where they are electrically acted upon. They will be there! The question is, what do we really want in the end? To live with them only in our mind or to live with them out here? The mind doesn’t care. If it has what it wants, it needs no outdoor realisations. So, to put it out there actually doesn’t interest the mind. Out there, it’s only interested in survival – again, not the creative mind but the amygdala one. The neocortex eveloped from amygdala’s vantage, not from creating out there – no need for that. So, there’s a gap between the brain and creating far from survival in the sensible cosmos. It is not automatically energized because it doesn’t belong to the brain stages of evolution. Your way is the best way. Another hope is for the brain to be trained to become from the inside one with reality. That’s why the realists are more effective. But the question is how to become one not with the reality of necessities but with the reality of the truth, that is, the vast experience out there that can’t be counted nor described. I spoke again about the concept of the flow, but I can’t go further for I haven’t gone further myself. I’m not stopping though.
My love to all.
Day 21 complete: I’m in Chapter 4, and my plan is to finish a first draft of the book by March 31, 2026.
Day 22 complete:The messiest part of my project is posting to Substack, and attracting readers there. I moved forward by searching online for resources that can help – doing some homework.
Day 23 complete: I acted despite fear, and worked on a draft statement that re-defines, clarifies, the topic of my blog.
As far as my non expert brain can tell, all mental afflictions are a result of people trapping themselves inside their own heads. Physical activity, and community help immensely.
Day 25 complete: My coach voice says:
Bill, here’s what we do next: Watch video lessons on how to attract SbSt subscribers; draft new intro for “Bird in the Driftless Bush”, post it; import addresses, send note to subscribers, and cancel SqSp renewal.
Day 26 complete: I reinforced myself with a fine breakfast and coffee after fulfilling the task and goal of submitting a manuscript.