Resistance: A Primer
Since I’ll be referencing Steven Pressfield’s notion of “Resistance” often in this blog, it may help to give a quick summary of the concept. In no way is this a substitute for The War of Art
Resistance is the force that, right now, is telling me to close my word processor and watch reruns of The Simpsons. To clean my apartment. To go to the gym.
Were those last two examples surprising? That’s because Resistance is devious. Of course I’d feel like shit after sitting on my ass watching TV. Guilty. And since guilt is a good catalyst for behavioral change, I might become angry and start retaliating, writing to spite my laziness. Resistance doesn’t want that, and instead takes the long view.
It’s far easier to justify a lack of output if you spent all day “working.” Doing “productive” things like mowing the lawn or working out. These things are important too, which makes rationalization easy. But they’re not most important, deserving of your focus right now. Ask yourself: if they were so urgent, and you exhausted yourself all day with them, why are you still lying in bed awake? Guilt. Only now, Resistance bets you’ll sleep it off.
Remember that this is all relative, and not limited to writing or even art. If running 5 miles or trying to start a business is what makes you most uncomfortable, the campaign will shift to keep you from doing that. Resistance excels at maneuver warfare. But deep down, you always know what really needs to get done. Over the years, that voice may have been soothed from howl to whimper, but it will never shut up.
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Just finished reading through all your current entries, it is pretty compelling material. The most cogent points, in my opinion, were made in this entry; I’m sure this not a coincidence. As someone who has endeavored to write in the past and met with minor success, only to have the drive fizzle out; I have some concept of what it takes to nuture burdgeoning talent(if only because I was unable to do so). The hardest part is remaining consistent. Not from a “quality of content” standpoint, rather, sustaining an appropriate effort level. In my past experience, which I imagine is similar with most other aspiring artists, creative expectations outpace what is reasonably achievable “today”. Paradoxically, I think this concept can be the prime mover in the artist’s existence. Look forward to reading more.
it’s so true. i go to work everyday trying to convince myself I need the job,
I need the money. but the voice in my head is screaming that I’m a fraud. The voice is saying I need to be working on my stand up comedy and writing instead of the job.
That time is more important than the money. I don’t know which is harder.
Ignoring the true voice or giving in. I guess if it scares you, that’s what you need to do.
This is a great book I just finished reading. (Recommendation from Ryan Holiday) I look forward to more posts about the ideas in this book.
One of the ideas hit me hard. “Resistance has no strength of its own. Every ounce of juice it possesses comes from us. We feed it with power by our fear of it. Master that fear and we conquer resistance.” We all make excuses as to why we can’t do something. I try to be less cynical everyday even though I am highly critical and introverted. Always looking at the flip side. But I’m not sure it’s possible to conquer fear. It’s too heavily programmed into our system. If you find any way around it let me know.
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