The War of Art

by Steven Pressfield

The danger is greatest when the finish line is in sight. At this point, Resistance knows we're about to beat it. It hits the panic button.

The professional must be alert for this counterattack. Be wary at the end. Don't open that bag of wind.

Anything that draws attention to ourselves through pain-free or artificial means is a manifestation of Resistance.

Cruelty to others is a form of Resistance, as is the willing endurance of cruelty from others.

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.

Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.

Resistance knows that the more psychic energy we expend dredging and re-dredging the tired, boring injustices of our personal lives, the less juice we have to do our work.

Rationalization is Resistance's right-hand man. Its job is to keep us from feeling the shame we would feel if we truly faced what cowards we are for not doing our work.

What exactly are the qualities that define us as professionals? 1) We show up every day.

We show up no matter what. In sickness and in health, come hell or high water, we stagger in to the factory.

Resistance outwits the amateur with the oldest trick in the book: It uses his own enthusiasm against him. Resistance gets us to plunge into a project with an overambitious and unrealistic timetable for its completion.

The professional has learned better. He respects Resistance. He knows if he caves in today, no matter how plausible the pretext, he'll be twice as likely to cave in tomorrow.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now."