Today I read Steven Pressfield’s new book Do The Work. It is a short, powerful read, especially if you struggle with overcoming resistance, which I do. It’s a nice companion to The War of Art, which I’ve blogged about before here and here.
Pressfield is at his best when he’s talking about resistance and how to kick it in the butt. In “Do the Work” he shares seven principles of resistance and two tests. Here’s a taste:
Principle Number One: There Is an Enemy
Principle Number Two: This Enemy Is Implacable
Principle Number Three: This Enemy Is Inside You
Principle Number Four: The Enemy Is Inside You, But It Is Not You
Principle Number Five: The “Real You” Must Duel the “Resistance You”
Principle Number Six: Resistance Arises Second (The idea, the dream, the passion come first)
Principle Number Seven: The Opposite of Resistance Is Assistance
Test Number One “How bad do you want it?”
Test Number Two “Why do you want it?”
One of my favorite lines in the book: On the field of Self stand a knight and a dragon. You are the knight. Resistance is the dragon.
Right now it’s a free Kindle download. Go get it.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons