Three Kinds of Self-Training
I break it down into three areas in my own work. Self-motivation. Self-discipline. Self-reinforcement.
And I add three more:
Self-preparation, meaning our interior rehearsals for various emergencies. Self-belief, meaning confidence born either of an objective assessment of our talent or a wholly subjective conception of the force of our dream. And self-command, which arises from the prior five practices.
What form does this self-training take?
It’s talk. Self-talk. Interior conversations between you-and-me and ourselves.
An example: I’m in a situation right now where, for reasons I can’t talk about, I’m not able to publish stuff I’ve already written. I’ve got two books ready to go. But I can’t do anything with them, at least for the moment.
Here’s my self-talk addressing this situation (which covers all six of the categories above):
Steve, an external event beyond your control has broken your normal rhythm of production. The temptation now is to slack off. The voice of Resistance in your head will tell you to “take it easy” or “explore new possibilities.” You will feel like, “Hey, I’ve done my bit, let me back off for a minute until we can get on track again with our normal work rhythm.”
In other words, I’m assessing the situation—internal as well as external—for myself the same way a professional coach or trainer would do it if I had one.
What you must do now, Steve, is the opposite of what Resistance wants you to do. You must elevate your intensity. Pick the next project and plunge in with the same level of concentration (or higher) as if there had been no external interruption.
Instead of relaxing, even a little, increase your level of exertion. Put your head down and work.
Things now are NOT normal. They are harder. They are an insidious form of emergency. Treat this moment that way.
That’s training. That’s self-training.
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?"
Indeed, this grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it and when I read it in Steven’s voice. I knew he was right and I had to “do the work.”
Steve,
Forgive me if I’ve been inattentive, but do you and Diana intend to sell signed/premium HBs of The Arcadian? I can’t recall what you’ve said. I’m in the UK, but if that’s the intention then I am all-in for that.
Best regards,
Peter
As always, thanks, Coach.
Thanks Steven, really needed this!
Having just finished “Turning Pro,” this was the perfect reminder.
The work continues.
Thanks, Steven.
Strong post, advice. Lest we forget why Steve Pressfield is the Sensei.
Thank you very much dear Steve.
You must write this book:
*Conversations with Resistance*
And let the world know what the real fight looks like. In grave detail, including your body reactions and your thoughts and the ridiculous thought-distractions. Just like when Homer was detailing Diomedes’ Aristeia.
My love to you, Diana, our friends, your team. I wish you two have a great birthday day.
Shoot. You got me again. Really sound advice. Thank you. Hunching over now!
My dear friend just died.
He wrote 14 books on the oil environmental state of the world. Richard Heinberg finished his work. He was disciplined. Nothing stopped him. Ever. He got his work done and out there. Check him out.
On my own…
Even though my house hasn’t burned down yet, impending doom seems to be in the atmosphere these days. It takes constant reminders that there is work to do. But not out of panic
One reason to meditate regularly is to find a point of stillness from which to act with focus. Meditation is 20 minutes. That’s more effective than getting lost in some addiction like web surfing or screen watching.
Down time should prepare one for work. Just as pulling over and stopping for gas prepares one for the next leg of the journey.
Learning to use rest times effectively is key to focused work.
Renita
Ojai, CA.
Sending good thoughts on the passing of your friend, Renita.
Renita, heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your dear friend. And after checking out his website, a loss for us all. Always interested in the environment and environmental issues. Thank you for seeing past your grief to share a great resource of knowledge.
Two books ready to go. Perked my ears up.
Interesting information today. this is what a stoic would do, this is what a zen master would do, this is what Moses would do, this is what Jesus would do, this is what a soccer player would do, this is what a 14 yr old chess champion would do. Love to all.
Useful. I found these comments to be concrete and actionable. Keep it up with practical inspiration for us all
I want a book filled with the stories you “can’t talk about,” Steve! 😏
Related: I’ve started an experiment where I see how few words I can utter in a day. The first thing I noticed was more time to work! Obviously you’re onto something.
Perfeito. Você confirma o que eu venho fazendo desde a pandemia. Não parar. Não precipitar. Não retroceder.
Abraços
This is just what I needed. Thank you
THANK YOU!!!!!
100% I cannot allow outside circumstances determine my creative output. I choose my output to determine my circumstances. Sounds corny, but it’s true.