It’s All About Resistance
We’ve been talking in the past few posts about self-reliance, self-sufficiency, the mindset of the entrepreneur and the professional.
We’ve said to the aspiring writer or artist, “Brother, Sister, beyond talent and imagination, you’ve got to be mentally tough to succeed in these hardcore fields.”
Why? What’s the reason we have to be tough? Whom are we fighting? Who’s the enemy?
In The War of Art, I call it “Resistance.” With a capital-R.
Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.
Have you ever brought home a treadmill and let it gather dust in the attic? Ever quit a diet, a course of yoga, a meditation practice? Have you ever bailed out on a call to embark upon a spiritual practice, dedicate yourself to a humanitarian calling, commit your life to the service of others? Have you ever wanted to be a mother, a doctor, an advocate for the weak and helpless; to run for office, crusade for the planet, campaign for world peace, or to preserve the environment? Late at night have you experienced a vision of the person you might become, the work you could accomplish, the realized being you were meant to be? Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what Resistance is.
Resistance afflicts everyone, but it takes its greatest toll on the artist.
Why? Because the artist is alone. She has no coach, no mentor, no Gandolf or Merlin or Obi-wan Kenobi. She’s alone inside her own skull … and rattling around inside that unholy hemisphere is the demonic voice of her own Resistance. Fear. Self-doubt. Distraction. Procrastination. Laziness. Arrogance, Perfectionism. Complacency.
You and I as artists have to acquire—however and by whatever means —the same degree of mental toughness as test pilots and solo mountaineers and the greatest adventurers exploring the inner landscape of the human soul.
Yes, the artist faces competitors and rivals in the flesh. But her greatest foe resides inside her own head.
She is her own worst enemy.
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?"
Bullseye.
Thankyou Sir.
Raises hand!
Thank you, Steven.
You are a mentor to me!
I am a singer and voice coach, and I had to almost die before I could stand up for my call to sing. During a near death experience, when I left my body and was already on the other side, the only thing that remained was a huge regret: that I had not sung.
I remember walking out of that hospital with no money, with my feeling of not enoughness, and deciding with every cell of my being:
I will not die with my song still inside me.
So I began coaching people in liberating their voices, and doing so I was liberating my own too.
Every day I meet resistance. But her hold on me grows weaker, and every day I grow stronger in honoring the singer within me. Even if it is just an improvised melody while standing in the underground, waiting for my tram, or driving home in my VW.
Thank you, Steven 🌺
With gratitude and love,
💜 Sabina
Sabina, thank you for sharing your beautiful, inspiring story.
Powerful Sabina. ‘I will not die with my _______ still inside me’. Pouring that into my vessel rn. 💛
That’s so inspiring, Sabina! Thank you for sharing that and helping me to stay on my own creative path. 🙂
❤️
Right on point, Steve. I’ve been struggling. I pulled out my copy of The War of Art to reread. Thank you.
Spot on sir! I’m currently a writer not writing and a painter not painting. Thank you for reminding me where the real culprit lies – not in my circumstances. Time to go look in the mirror. 😌
Resistance has been kicking my butt for years. I’ve been kicking back. Sometimes I knock it back on its heels and I think I finally have the upper hand, but it is relentless. It’s a shape-shifter, isn’t it? I’ve read the Art of War four times. I know I will read it again.
I know from these comments and my own experience that you’ve given so many people so much, I feel guilty. I have put my work out there. I know it’s good – more than good, maybe not good enough. I know it moves people. It moves me. I suspect before I can change other people’s world for the better, I probably need to change my own. It seems I have both succeeded and failed. It depends on the day.
Thank you, Steven. I remember a few years ago you asked us if you should keep doing this. Everyone said yes. Absolutely. I can easily imagine people wanting to appreciate and validate you, while also trying desperately not to face the blank page alone. That’s me, I guess. It doesn’t work, but it does help.
Inspirational story, indeed, Sabina. Keep up the good work.
Sending you many good vibes, Jackie. I hope your reread of the good book knocks down your current Resistance.
Thanks for the good vibes, Brad. The vibes and reread will hopefully be the swift kick I need to get me back to productivity. Much appreciated.
Good to have a next act in your life’s screenplay, Sabina.
So true! Thank you for your ever encouraging words.
So true! Thank you for your ever encouraging words.
Such an inspiring visual Steven. On an ADVENTURE in an unseen landscape. There’s a universe within. Bless you and more!! 🫶🏻
Sabina’s story is a pocket inspiration. The idea of songs left unsung is so gripping. It must have taken great inner perception to recognize that tragedy for what it was. And great willpower to overcome Tesistance to rectify that.
For me and most likely for others it’s not just mental toughness, it’s spiritual connection as well. I am not battling Resistance on my own. I may look like I am alone or feel like I am alone, true. But that is only a physical perspective. That which is greater and more enduring than the physical surrounds me and sustains me. My invisible yet very real support system is more vast and powerful than the force of Resistance. I started working with a personal trainer this week, so the value of Resistance is becoming much more tangible, too.
I so needed this today! I can feel Resistance as I work to start my own business while being a mom, wife, and working a “day job”. Each day is a re-commitment to my dream–your words always help me to stay on course.
Ouch. Yes, the greatest foes reside in my head, arguing, distracting each other, putting up blockades. Getting them all to hush so i can do my transcriptions, translations, selecting the words, the pieces, the painted with thread and blood and fear canvases, to get to the eye of the hurricane while everything Cat 5 around me is unremitting.
Well said Stephen, as always. This brings me to recall what Mel Robins said in her Ted talk: “Get out of your head. If you’re in your head you’re behind enemy lines.” This, to me, confirms what you often say in your writing. Resistance lives in your thoughts and so it lives in your head. But I discovered a way out of this maize. It was in the discovery by Dr. Michael Gershon in his 1996 book about the second brain in all humans. It’s located in our gut. But it’s not designed to think anything but to feel everything. I came to the realization that it’s a container for an ethereal energy pile that can buffer the head’s worst proclivities 27/7. I just this week completed the manuscript of my first book on this very subject and are now starting my next one. (BTW: This idea to immediately start on the next book right away came directly from one of your own stories so thanks for that.)
Wondering too if there is something more. You say:
“But her greatest foe resides inside her own head.” – so, a mental conflict.
What about for those more emotionally charged, yet flickering? A similar battle I assume? Could sound similar but geographically different at the start gate –
“But her greatest foe resides inside her own heart.” It seems for me, my “head” follows closely behind. Emotional conflicts are challenging for me. The nuances of Resistance are still a pain in the ass.
I think my ass may have more feelings that thinkings.
Powerfully true!!! Exactly what I needed to read this morning.
Thank you!!
I would only disagree that our skulls and the hemispheres that rattle around inside are unholy. I believe they are sacred spaces, but invaded by demons. 😉
But in all seriousness, The War of Art is the best and most potent and helpful book about art I have ever read. The framework you offer is insightful, meaningful, true and a very helpful framework to lean on as one suits up for battle each day!
Hillary (of the EN Hil & Bil)
Thank you so much my dear Steve.
And I’m really sorry for not participating in the last two posts.
Yes, we need the mental toughness. Mine isn’t ignited these times by the “go kill them” mentality, and I seek the other way around. To bring it forth in a manner of self-energy. But yet, it will have to be tough. Tough but loving – if that is possible.
The mental toughness will be like this as far as I can see a mind guiding the holly race (or holly sh*t race) against all kinds of evil. I want to give it good food for the road, damn it, something that will help it protect its soul, not be an unstoppable zombie but an energized from Light toughness.
From the trenches, I send you and all people my love.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..Yes. Thank you.
Stephen ,Your article is perfectly timed for me! I have been wrestling with Resistance these days. It has won more days than I have. I appreciate the comments. It is good to remember I am not the only one out here struggling to free myself!
Thank you! Rhaea
Just want to say Thank you Steven. THANK YOU!! All your books, which I assign to my students and actors I meet – are what helped me beat the resistance and write my own book.
My book is now on pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and more – my publisher is Routledge. STOP MEMORIZING YOUR LINES: Be Undeniable and Ready for “Action!”
Thank you Steven!!
Thank you, Steven. I will never put my dreams on a shelf again. I am nearly done with reading The War of Art and it has been life changing. Now I understand. Now it all makes sense. Resistance! I always thought it was normal to just not feel like doings that were actually important steps to make my passions and dreams a reality. I thought, “Oh, well maybe it’s just not meant to be if I don’t feel like doing it”. What a load of resistance balogna! The great thing is that now that I am aware of it and it’s tactics, the war has become much easier to win. I am an aspiring artist, currently enrolled in the Mastery Program with Milan Art Institute and I am stepping into my professional role. Several people from the program have recommended your book and I’m so glad they did. I’m also listening to your mini course. What a treat! Thank you for not letting resistance win on your end because now we have these important, great works to help us move forward. Cheers!
Thank you for the encouragement! It is meaningful and helpful.