The Force That Prevents Creative Work
Core Idea: Resistance is an invisible, internal force that opposes any creative, entrepreneurial, or spiritual growth. It manifests as procrastination, fear, rationalization, and self-sabotage.
Key Elements
Characteristics of Resistance
- Universal and impersonal - everyone experiences it
- Appears when we pursue growth, health, or integrity
- Self-generated and internal - "the enemy within"
- Insidious, deceptive, and ruthlessly effective
- Never rational but always rationalizing
- Strongest when we're closest to a breakthrough
Common Manifestations
- Procrastination - the most common form
- Self-doubt and fear
- Victimhood and drama creation
- Seeking validation through sex, drugs, or other distractions
- Creating trouble to get attention
- Criticism of others' work
How Resistance Operates
- Uses fear as its primary weapon
- Employs rational-sounding justifications
- Targets what matters most to us
- Uses our own enthusiasm against us (overambitious planning)
- Enlists others to sabotage our efforts
- Points to true North - indicating what we must do
Overcoming Resistance
- Recognize it as a universal force, not a personal failing
- Identify it as separate from yourself
- Use it as a compass - what you fear most is what you must do
- Develop a professional mindset
- Show up daily and do the work regardless of feelings
Additional Connections
- Broader Context: Creative Process (resistance is an inherent part)
- Applications: Daily Creative Practice (implementation techniques)
- See Also: Turning Pro (the solution to resistance)
References
- Pressfield, Steven. "The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles"
#creativity #resistance #psychology #writing #art
Connections:
Sources: