Ashton.Gustafson

One of my unmet heroes is Steven Pressfield. In my opinion he wrote the greatest book ever on breakthrough and our inner creative battles called The War of Art. Follow him on Twitter or check out his blog.

No matter if you’re a struggling musician, entrepreneur, mom, actor, doctor, or a chef – this book offers maddening insight to what goes on in our chest and between our ears.

Pressfield addresses the enemy to our creative as the Resistance – “that destructive force inside human nature that rises whenever we consider a tough, long-term course of action that might do for us or others something that’s actually good.”

Giving a name to this enemy of creative has changed my business and my life. Now I can call it out, name it, stare it in the eyes, ignore it, and fight against it.

I’ve seen resistance come in many forms:

• A failed attempt – followed by giving up.
• Words from others.
• Fatigue.
• Procrastination.
• Frustration.
• Lack of funding.
• Lack of faith.
• Lack of confidence.
• The “plan” having to change.

The list goes on for days….

We think it takes jet engines, planes, and pilots to fly. But without resistance – without something to push against – both we and our dreams are grounded and never free in flight.

Expect resistance in your preparation for take off.