Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

by Stephen Pressfield

Key concepts:

1. Resistance: the primary obstacle to creative work. Resistance is the force that seeks to sabotage our creative endeavors and keeps us from fulfilling our potential. It manifests as self-doubt, procrastination, fear, and any form of distraction that prevents us from doing the work we are meant to do. We need to recognize and confront Resistance head-on. "Most of us have two lives: the life we live and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."
2. Turning Pro: to overcome Resistance, one must adopt a professional mindset. Becoming a professional means treating creative work with the utmost seriousness, discipline, and dedication. It involves showing up consistently, committing to the craft, and pushing through challenges. Turning Pro is about making a mindset shift and fully committing to the creative journey. "The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time." "The amateur dreads becoming who she really is because she fears that this new person will be judged by others as 'different.'"
3. The Creative Process: discipline and routine are critical to the process of creation. Professionals show up every day, regardless of inspiration or motivation. By establishing a consistent creative practice, one develops the necessary skills, hones their craft, and creates a conducive environment for inspiration to emerge. "The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique not because he believes technique is a substitute for inspiration, but because he wants to be in possession of the full arsenal of skills when inspiration does come."
4. Resistance and Fear: fear often accompanies any significant creative pursuit because it signals that we are venturing into unknown territory. We need to acknowledge our fear but not let it control or deter us. "Resistance is experienced as fear; the degree of fear equates to the strength of Resistance. Therefore, the more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that that enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul." "Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it."

Exercises to overcome Resistance and tap into your creative potential:

• Start with the simplest task: Begin by taking small steps and completing simple tasks to build momentum and overcome inertia. This could involve writing a single paragraph, sketching a quick doodle, or practicing a musical phrase.
• Set specific goals and deadlines: Clearly define what you want to achieve and set deadlines for yourself. This helps create a sense of urgency and accountability, pushing you to take action and avoid procrastination.
• Establish a daily creative practice: Commit to a daily routine of creative work. Set aside a specific time and place to engage in your creative pursuits consistently. Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
• Embrace the concept of "shipping": Instead of striving for perfection, focus on completing and sharing your work. Learn to embrace the idea of putting your creations out into the world, even if they're not perfect.
• Find Your Muse: Identify a specific person or historical figure who embodies the qualities and accomplishments you aspire to achieve creatively. Study their work, life, and approach to their craft. Use their example as a source of inspiration and motivation to push through resistance and pursue your own creative endeavors.
• Reflect on Your Greatest Fear: Take some time to reflect on your deepest fears and the potential regrets you might have if you don't pursue your creative passions. Write them down and confront them head-on. By acknowledging and understanding your fears, you can begin to dismantle their power and move forward.
• Visualize Your Creative Destiny: Visualize and imagine your ideal creative future. Create a clear mental picture of where you want to be and what you want to accomplish creatively. This exercise helps solidify your aspirations and provides a concrete vision to strive towards.
• Confront Your Shadow Career: a "shadow career" is a field or pursuit that is close to your true passion but not quite it. Reflect on whether you may be engaging in a shadow career as a form of resistance or avoidance. Identify the true calling that you may be deflecting and make a commitment to pursue it wholeheartedly.
• Embrace Professional Habits: Develop habits and rituals that support your creative work. This could include setting a designated workspace, creating a routine or schedule, establishing specific rituals before diving into your creative practice, and implementing practices that foster focus and concentration.
• Practice Resistance Training: Just as you train your physical muscles, you can train your mental and emotional resilience. Engage in activities that deliberately challenge your resistance, such as setting ambitious creative goals, tackling challenging projects, or pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. This exercise helps build your resistance muscle and increases your ability to overcome internal barriers.