What is the invisible force that plants fear, self-doubt, and procrastination within us? Ever felt like your rational thoughts and even your loved ones are holding you back from realizing your full potential? How did legends like Picasso, Mozart, Steve Jobs, and Winston Churchill overcome these formidable enemies and what can we learn from them? Are you ready to start your journey to greatness today, to overcome the Resistance, and to join the elite fraternity of doers? Dive in and explore the art of beginning!

Do the Work

As artists and entrepreneurs, we face formidable enemies: Resistance, rational thought, and even our friends and family. Resistance is the invisible, insidious force that tries to keep us from our work by planting fear, self-doubt, and procrastination within us. It’s a sneaky adversary, but also a reliable compass: the more important the task, the stronger the Resistance we feel. 

Consider Henry Fonda, who still battled stage fright at seventy-five. Resistance doesn’t sleep—it’s universal and relentless. Resistance doesn’t aim to merely hinder; it seeks to obliterate our potential and unique gifts.

Rational thought is another enemy. It stems from the ego and can stifle creativity. Instead, we should trust our instincts and deeper intuition, much like Homer, author of the Greek Epic Odyssey, did when he prayed to the Muse. Our best work comes from this mysterious, unconscious source.

Friends and family, while well-meaning, often resist change because they know and are invested in who we currently are. They may not support the unlived, future version of ourselves. So, we must be prepared to find new allies who will support our journey.

On the flip side, we have allies like stupidity, stubbornness, blind faith, passion, and assistance. Staying “stupid” means not overthinking or doubting our ability to succeed—think of Charles Lindbergh, Steve Jobs, and Winston Churchill. Stubbornness keeps us going when the going gets tough. Blind faith in our creative process, much like Patricia Ryan Madson's exercise of always finding something in an imaginary box, helps us persevere.

Passion fuels our work. Picasso and Mozart thrived on it, and when we conquer our fears, we tap into an inexhaustible well of passion. Assistance, the opposite of Resistance, is there to support us, and true friends and family will ultimately stand by us.

So, when is the best time to start? Now. Let’s begin our novel, launch our business, or kick off our philanthropic venture. The journey is daunting, but with the right mindset and allies, we can overcome any obstacle.

Are Your Friends, Family and Rational Thought Holding Back Your Creativity and Success?

"Begin before you’re ready," they say. Our true enemy isn’t a lack of preparation, market conditions, or an empty bank account. It’s Resistance—our chattering brain, always ready with excuses and self-justifications. The only way to combat it is to start, showing courage that the gods themselves approve of. As W.H. Murray wisely noted, commitment ignites Providence, unleashing unforeseen support and opportunities.

Before diving in, limit your research—read just three books on your subject and let your unconscious mind work its magic. Excessive research can be another form of Resistance. Stay primitive; the creative act is chaotic and raw, much like birth.

Swing for the big hits. Tiny ideas won’t cut it. Aim for home runs, not bunts. If we don’t start with a swing for the fences, we’ll never hit a grand slam.

Don’t overthink. Outline quickly and instinctively. Break it into three acts—beginning, middle, and end—just like screenwriters do. Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” or Maya Lin’s Vietnam Memorial started this way.

Start at the End. Screenwriters often work backwards. Define your climax, then map out the steps leading there. Knowing your project’s theme helps determine these steps. For instance, "Moby Dick" is about human will clashing with nature’s malice, leading to an inevitable showdown.

True thoughts are rare; most are mere chatter. Meditation teaches us to distinguish between the two. Chatter is Resistance, trying to conform us to societal norms. Real thoughts come from our authentic selves, a source we’ll explore our entire lives.

Conquering Resistance: Unleashing Creativity and Commitment for Success

Creating anything great is a battle against an invisible, relentless force called Resistance. Unlike ideologies that promise perfection, Resistance is a real, intelligent adversary that emerges whenever we strive for our best selves. It’s the universe’s way of pushing back, not out of indifference, but hostility.

Imagine starting a project, whether it's art, business, or science. Resistance will be there, trying to stop you. Respect it like Sigourney Weaver respected the Alien or St. George respected the dragon. To combat it, we must outsmart and outmaneuver it.

David Lean’s film structure—seven or eight major sequences—can guide us in filling gaps in our projects. Similarly, research should be done outside prime working hours, as it can easily become a form of Resistance itself.

Screenwriters pitch with a killer opening scene, set pieces, a climax, and a theme. They fill gaps between these beats to create a cohesive narrative. We should do the same, whether creating a new gadget or writing a novel.

Momentum is crucial. Get your first draft done without worrying about quality. Suspend self-judgment and follow your instincts, even if they seem crazy. Ideas don’t come linearly; they come in bursts. Capture them immediately, or they’ll be lost.

The process alternates between action and reflection. Initially, focus on action. Trust your instincts and let your creativity flow. As you progress, refine your theme and keep filling gaps. The project will start taking shape, attracting ideas and assistance.

As you gain momentum, you’ll hit a wall. Terror and self-doubt will strike. Recognize that these feelings are Resistance. It’s an enemy within, but not you. Your true self must duel this Resistance, driven by love for your work.

The universe also offers Assistance. This benevolent force helps manifest your dreams. Like Lindbergh’s passion for flying across the Atlantic, your love for the project will see you through.

Resistance tests our desire and motivation. How badly do you want it? Why do you want it? If your reasons are pure—love for the work and the need to create—you’ll persevere.

In the end, keep working. Momentum is everything. Ignore false negatives and positives. Reflect periodically to ensure every element serves your project’s theme. Fill in gaps and keep pushing forward. The journey is tough, but the universe will respond to your passion and intention.

Can Passion and Momentum Defeat the Relentless Force of Resistance in the Pursuit of Greatness?

Once Steven Pressfield, the author, was on a roll. His project was nearly complete, and excitement was high. Then, out of nowhere, it all crashed. It was as if the lead actor in their movie checked into rehab, or the bank pulled their business financing, or their star bull ran off. This Big Crash happens so predictably it's almost a cliché. And the worst part? Nothing can prepare them for it because it stems from their own initial mistakes.

Steven's own Big Crash came with his novel, "The Profession." After two years of work, he thought it was his best yet. Then, trusted friends read it—and they hated it. They were right. The book's concept was fatally flawed. Steven crashed emotionally, feeling lost and floundering.

This reminded him of Navy SEAL training, where candidates face brutal physical ordeals to see if they'll crack. They have a bell to ring if they give up. In their creative struggles, they have a metaphorical bell too. But their ordeal is harder because they face it alone. No trainers, no comrades, no external validation. Just them, battling the beast within.

Crashes, although hellish, are ultimately good. They mean they've failed, but also that they have to grow. They force them to solve the problems they created. 

Creative panic, like the one Steven felt with his book, is actually good. It means they're on the verge of growth, just like a child venturing away from its mother. Panic is a sign they're about to cross into a higher plane.

When Steven's book crashed, he went back to basics: stupidity, stubbornness, and blind faith. He reminded himself that the problem is the problem, not him. Professionals don’t take failure personally; they solve problems.

For his book, the solution was moving the story further into the future. It was a mechanical fix, not mystical. It took an extra year, but it worked.

Imagine if "Moby Dick" crashed and Herman Melville asked for their help. They'd identify that Captain Ahab was weak and the theme incomplete. They’d give Ahab more monstrous traits—a peg leg made of whale ivory, lost fighting Moby Dick. They'd add a crazed white streak to his hair and have him renounce his whaling contract for vengeance alone. They'd make the crew as obsessed as Ahab, forging new harpoons solely for Moby Dick.

This scenario might seem far-fetched, but even geniuses like Melville face crashes. That’s why rewriting exists. The point is, they confront their problems, solve them, and escape the belly of the beast.

Surviving the Big Crash: The Art of Turning Creative Failure into Growth

Why does Seth Godin emphasize "shipping"? It’s simple: finishing is everything. If we can't finish, all our effort is wasted. Shipping means declaring our work ready for the world, whether it's a movie, a smartphone, or a Broadway musical. It takes courage to ship.

Consider a friend of the author who spent years writing a novel. It was ready to go, complete with a cover letter, but he couldn't send it. Fear of rejection held him back. Finishing, or shipping, is daunting. It requires a killer instinct.

Take Hamlet, who struggles to act despite knowing he must avenge his father’s murder. Or Michael Crichton, who would rise earlier and earlier to maintain his writing momentum, eventually moving to a hotel to finish his work. Crichton knew resistance is strongest at the end. He did whatever it took to finish and ship.

Marianne Williamson beautifully captures our fear of success: "Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." We are meant to shine, and as we do, we inspire others to do the same.

A New Yorker cartoon humorously depicts the choice between HEAVEN and BOOKS ABOUT HEAVEN, illustrating our tendency to shy away from seizing opportunities. Fear of success is resistance in disguise, silently undermining us.

In mountaineering, “exposure” means being vulnerable with nothing but thin air beneath. Similarly, shipping exposes us to judgment and potential failure. Steven's first big writing job was King Kong Lives. It flopped spectacularly, but his friend Tony reminded him that being in the arena is worth the blows. That was when he realized he had become a pro.

Shipping grounds us in reality, moving us past self-doubt. But shipping isn’t the end. Resistance transforms and returns. Yet, by finishing, you’ve joined an elite fraternity of doers, not dreamers. You've done what millions talk about but few achieve.

Celebrate your victory, then start the next project. Stay foolish, trust the process, and start before you’re ready.

Is Fear of Success Stopping You From 'Shipping' Your Work?

As creators, we battle formidable obstacles: internal Resistance, rational thought, and even the influences of friends and family. Resistance is a relentless, invisible force that instills fear, doubt, and procrastination, growing stronger when the task is most crucial. Rational thought, driven by ego, can stifle creativity, so we should trust our instincts and deeper intuition instead. Friends and family, while well-meaning, often resist our growth because they are invested in our current selves, requiring new allies who support our journey.

On the positive side, allies like stupidity, stubbornness, blind faith, and passion can propel us forward. Staying 'stupid' helps avoid overthinking, while stubbornness keeps us persistent. Blind faith in our creative process and passion for our work tap into an inexhaustible well of energy. Assistance is also available from the universe, and true friends and family will ultimately stand by us.

The best time to start is now, without overpreparation. Starting before you're ready demonstrates courage, and commitment invites providence to move. Limit research to avoid it becoming another form of Resistance. Great projects often begin with simple structures and evolve through action and reflection. Momentum is key, and initial efforts should focus on action rather than quality.

Resistance is an intelligent adversary that tests our resolve and love for our work. The universe, however, offers assistance when our intent is pure. Overcoming Resistance involves recognizing and battling internal fears, trusting our instincts, and maintaining momentum. 

Finishing a project, or 'shipping,' is crucial despite the fear of exposure and judgment. Shipping grounds us in reality and moves us past self-doubt, transforming us from dreamers to doers. Celebrate victories and continue to stay foolish, trust the process, and start before you’re ready.

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Do the Work

Steven Pressfield

6 Key ideas

13 MINS

4.7 (2.3k)

What is the invisible force that plants fear, self-doubt, and procrastination within us?

Ever felt like your rational thoughts and even your loved ones are holding you back from realizing your full potential?

How did legends like Picasso, Mozart, Steve Jobs, and Winston Churchill overcome these formidable enemies and what can we learn from them?

Are you ready to start your journey to greatness today, to overcome the Resistance, and to join the elite fraternity of doers?

Dive in and explore the art of beginning!