The War of Art

"Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, disease, and erectile dysfunction. To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be."

Steven Pressfield's goal in the first section is to define Resistance. Here are some of his one-liners:

- Resistance is invisible

- Resistance is internal

- Resistance is insidious

- Resistance is implacable

- Resistance is impersonal

- Resistance is infallible

- Resistance is universal

Resistance is the negative energy that we all feel when we try to do something greater. I believe it's magnified when it's a greater good for others. It's an internal force that knows your vulnerability than anything else. It's evil.

What good deed or action have I set on the shelf for a later date? What daily activity am I not accomplishing because of the invisible force of Resistance against me? How easily and I running away from Resistance? 

"Procrastination is the most common manifestation of resistance because it's the easiest to rationalize."

"The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit"

Resistance's goal is to kill momentum. Not to wound or slow down, kill. The first 30-45 pages of the book is dozens of ways that resistance can show up in your life. Resistance is tricky and very clever. It will attack you in the form of health, relationship, and so many other ways. We give it power by trying to manage it instead of overcoming it completely.

Procrastination is form of managing resistance. We tell ourselves a dangerous story in that we'll knock it out later. Our intentions may be good, but the slope is slippery. Once we've delayed something once, it will be easier to give up on it a second time. Before we know it, we've created a habit of something that's easier. We've essentially multiplied resistance's power.

Are you procrastinating anything that could be great? What progress could you make today, no matter how big or small, that could stop the trend?

"If you find yourself criticizing other people, you're probably doing it out of Resistance. When we see others beginning to live their authentic selves, it drives us crazy if we have not lived out our own. Individuals who are realized in their own lives almost never criticize others. If they speak at all, it is to offer encouragement."

I found myself shaking my head, yes, as I read the above quote. For me, self awareness and respect for your competition factor into this definition of resistance. When you are fully self-aware you have an understanding of where your value lies. You know where you can help people and where you need help. Some things are natural and some are difficult. The self-aware person wins more often because they put themselves into position to win. When you win, you don't have to be critical of others. Your focus moves to loving others (encouragement).

Respect for your competition is something I learned in the military. If you didn't respect your enemy, then the outcome could be catastrophic. The enemy believes they can compete or else they wouldn't be on the battlefield. What is their strength? How could they defeat you if the battlefield was set the way they'd like it? We must acknowledge that and respect it. You are actually pushing against resistance when you respect your competition instead of criticizing them.

Is it natural for you to criticize others? What's causing you to see everyone's shortcomings instead of encouraging them? What do you need to fix internally to overcome that tendency?

The best way resistance can hide itself is through Rationalization. Rationalization is effective because many times it's true.

There are many times in our life where we know we've been called to do something unique and special, but put it off because of some reason that's just good enough to make us wait. We know we can do the "special" thing at a later date so we let that reason persuade us. Rationalization is something people do naturally to avoid pain. Without being trained how to hold those thoughts captive, it's likely you never even notice them.

I think all of us fall victim to the force of Rationalization. I can point to half a dozen situations in the last few weeks where I allowed it to slow me down. Some decisions I'll still stand by, but others I probably should have moved aside. Rationalization is sneaky. We have to stay vigilant in discerning everything thought we have to ensure it is a productive thought and not one to protects resistance.

Where is rationalization showing up in your day? Are you holding every thought captive to a higher standard? What can you do today to start making these thought obvious? 

The concept of turning "pro" resonates with me because I approach my work with love and stubbornness.

Pressfield uses two different examples that I think define a pro really well: the Marine and the hawk.

First, the Marine. I love Marines. We need them. They serve a crucial role in our military. They are also funny (to me) from the outside looking in because the rally around misery. They celebrate colder food, lesser quality equipment, and even higher casualty rates than any other outfit. The misery makes them stubborn and that makes them a pro. They won't leave the battlefield without a victory. It doesn't matter how tough the terrain. It doesn't matter how great the opponent. They understand it's a win or nothing regardless of the resistance.

The Hawk is a pro. He eats only what he kills and is on the hunt continuously. It's only after he eats that he relaxes for the day. The hawk will work hours patiently looking for his opportunity. He will strike with all his might to provide. If he fails, he bounces right back to hunting again. There is no acceptance of passing on a meal because it's too hard today. It's foggy outside? He'll fly lower. There's no instinct in the hawk to allow resistance to win the day. He loves the hunt so much that people think of hunting when they hear his name. Being a pro is his brand. Pros remove the instinct to quit by allowing themselves one option - a job completed.

Love for the trade and stubbornness are powerful forces when combined. It eliminates all quit that's inside of you. The two forces will steamroll resistance and get stronger the more you use them.

How stubborn are you? Have you tapped into your love yet? 

"When people say an artist has a thick skin, what they mean is not that the person is dense or numb, but that he has seated his professional consciousness in a place other than his personal ego. It takes tremendous strength of character to do this, because our deepest instincts run counter to it. Evolution has programmed us to feel rejection in our guts. This is how the tribe enforced obedience, by wielding the threat of expulsion. Fear of rejection isn't just psychological; it's biological. It's in our cells."

I think Pressfield did a nice job of explaining how hard it is to place our professional consciousness somewhere other than our ego. The thing he didn't say is that this is harder for some compared to others. There are some of us that feel rejection more than others. Their super power is their ability to create and maintain relationships. As leaders we must acknowledge this difference in our people and lead them accordingly. These types of folks will need to hear from you that it's ok to work in a different direction from the group. It's ok if not everyone is happy with your decision at this moment in time. We have to lift them up because they'll feel more pain from rejection than most.

Who on the team is more affected by relationships than others? How can you manage them differently to help them have a "thick skin?"

How hardheaded are you? Are you able to take criticism in stride?

Some of us are naturally more confident than others. We believe in ourselves and can withstand criticism easily. Some of us aren't and tend to dwell on the criticism and it affects our production significantly.

I can't help with your natural tendency, but I can offer an idea to help you be more confident. FOCUS ON YOUR PLAN.

Your feelings can tell you what you need to work. Worry usually shows up with those who suffer from less confidence. Worry is a signal to someone that more preparation is needed. If you spent more time planning and preparing, the worry would be replaced with confidence. The confidence from knowing that you have thought through all scenarios and are surely about to give your task you best effort is what will help you overcome criticism quickly. Planning and preparation is a source of power that you can tap into easily so be sure to always make time for it.

Do you always allocate time for planning? Do you have a structure for effective planning? How confident do you feel when you know you have planned well?

"This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don't. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us.... When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete. Just as Resistance has its seat in hell, so Creation has its home in heaven. And it's not just a witness, but an eager and active ally."

Pressfield dove into the use of a higher power to overcome resistance. He believes starting your work in a quiet and dedicated space evokes the higher power. The power doesn't always show up exactly when you want it, but it shows up. Your job is to consistently work (as a professional does).

This above reminds me of what we are taught about worry in the Bible. The Apostle Paul taught us to, not worry about anything and instead pray about everything. When we consistently pray, God will provide. It may not be exactly how we expect, but he will provide.

We must show up everyday as leaders. When we show up and do the job with love, integrity, and motivation everyday great things will happen. A supernatural force will be on our side and we will attract success like a "magnetized rod attracts iron filings."

"You're supposed to learn that things you think are nothing, as weightless as air, are powerful substantial forces, as real and as solid as the earth."

Quote credit goes to Pressfield, but below are my thoughts. He explains it in a similar fashion, but I found it a bit vague.

When you feel resistance rising, what do you do? Do you wait (procrastinate) or get started. We know success comes to those who get started. What's after the start though? What do you do when your initial thoughts are blank or not motivating? The answer is to create a quiet and peaceful environment for yourself and listen. Listen to the thoughts that flood your mind and discern. Thoughts are not hard. Discernment is the place to focus. Do you hold your thoughts captive? Do you discern between good and bad? Life-giving and destroying? Productive and destructive?

Every thought must run through your discernment filter and either used or released. When you have productive thoughts, write them down and say them out loud. Don't waste those thoughts. They came to you for a reason.

I believe the Holy Spirit speaks constantly. Our mission is to listen and respond. Resistance has no chance when create the scenario above. We become producers of goodness and momentum builds. Find your quiet place and listen.

"Resistance feeds on fear." This comment has shown up a dozen times in Pressfield's writing. Fear holds us all back so the question to answer is, how do we eliminate fear?

The right place to start is what do you fear? Pressfield takes a stab at it and honestly lost me along the way. I think most people fear not having (material items) or becoming (success) enough. The fear is so great that most people just succumb to the resistance and choose to not even fight back. The answer to how to remove the fear is in the quote I captured here from the book. When we rise above what the world promotes we ought to strive for (physical) and pursue spiritual goals, we will find true freedom from fear.

I believe success in this life is not judged by dollars and cents. It's not judged by cars, houses, or stock balance. These things matter because they can enable you to do more spiritual work, but they aren't the goal. The goal is Love and the pursuit of helping others realize that. There's no need to be a genius or extremely creative to achieve this goal. It requires very little discipline because opportunities show up in literally every step you take. The only obstacle is the shift in mindset from physical to spiritual. It's not an easy step to take, but when you start in that direction momentum will build quickly.

Fear can't compete with spiritual goals; however, you must remain committed. It will be there waiting on the other side of the door. If you crack the door of the physical, it will pounce. Stand guard at the gates of your mind by keeping everything focused on what truly matters.

Pressfield classified one's approach to work in two ways: Hierarchy and Territory. To succeed against resistance he pushes Territory.

Hierarchy is an approach to work with the mindset of doing what you do to improve your rank amongst society. Think fame and fortune and even as small as your title at your business. Territory is doing what you do because you love it. It's inside you and you believe you were put on the earth to execute with the skill or talent. Your work impacts others, but it's not why you do it.

The screen shot that I shared here shows the mindset well. Territory-minded folks believe they are the vehicles for something special working through them. To not work means to deny your purpose. It's an insult to the spiritual forces around us. Even when you are stressed and fatigued, you work territorially.

Which are you? Ask yourself this question, "If I was the last person on the planet, would I still get up and work?" If the answer is no, then you have at least some Hierarchy in your approach to work. This doesn't have to be a terrible thing, but resistance will be more effective. Find a way to move into your Territory and fulfill the purpose you know you are here for. 

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