Podcast Summary
Hard work and dedication: Success requires hard work and dedication, even for those with talent, as emphasized by author Steven Pressfield in his books and experiences.
Learning from this episode of The Mike Rowe Working Class podcast is the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success, as exemplified by Steven Pressfield. Pressfield, a legendary author, emphasizes that talent is not enough and that work is the key to making the most of one's abilities. He shares his own experiences of working various jobs before becoming a successful author, and encourages listeners to embrace a no-shortcut philosophy. Pressfield's books, such as "The War of Art," serve as survival guides for living and working, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their lives and careers. Regardless of one's field or profession, Pressfield's message about the importance of hard work and delayed gratification is a powerful reminder that success comes to those who are willing to put in the effort.
Delivering goods: Delivering goods metaphorically represents completing tasks and brings satisfaction. Reading widely and exploring perspectives are essential for gaining knowledge, and unexpected experiences can inspire creative projects.
Delivering goods, whether it's cheese or fruit, can bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, especially when the truck is empty. This metaphor for completing a task was shared by James Earl Jones and the interviewee, who also emphasized the importance of reading widely and exploring different perspectives to gain essential knowledge and understanding. The interviewee's current project involves compiling a list of 36 must-read books for various audiences, including military personnel and professionals, with Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carry" being one of his picks. Ideas for creative projects can come from unexpected places, such as random phrases or experiences, and may require time and patience to fully develop.
Creative fields challenges: Perseverance, learning from criticism, and humility are crucial for success in creative fields. It's a long journey filled with challenges, but sharing experiences can inspire and guide others.
The path to success in creative fields, such as writing or advertising, is often long and filled with challenges. The speaker shares his personal experience of working in advertising for decades before becoming a published author. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and learning from criticism, as well as the difficulty of selling one's work to the public. The speaker also touches upon the importance of humility and the value of sharing the "connective tissue" of one's journey to inspire and guide others. He concludes by acknowledging the influence of influential figures, such as his boss Ed Hannibal and his literary agent Sterling Lord, in shaping his career. Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of staying true to one's creative vision while also being open to learning and growth.
War of Art: The internal struggle between creativity and self-doubt, represented by the resistance, is a common experience for artists and writers. To overcome it, one must recognize, confront, and refuse to listen to the self-doubt voice.
The internal struggle between creativity and self-doubt, which the speaker refers to as the "war of art," is a common experience for artists and writers. The resistance, represented by fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, and procrastination, is an equal and opposite force that appears as soon as a creative idea emerges. The muse, on the other hand, is the source of inspiration and ideas. To overcome the resistance and bring creative projects to fruition, one must recognize and confront this internal enemy, give it a name, and refuse to listen to its voice. The speaker emphasizes that self-doubt is a natural part of the creative process and a sign that the project is worth pursuing. He also encourages everyone to dismiss the self-critical voice in their heads and trust their creative abilities.
Resistance to growth: Recognize and actively work against the constant force of resistance that hinders personal growth, which can manifest as internal thoughts or external circumstances
There is an external force, often referred to as resistance, which tries to prevent us from achieving our dreams and growing. This force can manifest as internal thoughts or external circumstances. It's like gravity, always present and requiring constant effort to overcome. This concept is not unique to any particular belief system; it can be found in Eastern thought, the Bhagavad Gita, and even in the Bible. Resistance can be subtle and nuanced, using legitimate reasons to distract us from our goals. It's essential to recognize this force and actively work against it. The manipulative retired Green Beret, Scott Mann, is an excellent example of how resistance can present itself in various forms. Despite the challenges, it's important to keep pushing forward and not let resistance derail our progress.
Work ethic: Success requires persistence, hard work, and self-discipline, regardless of natural talent or abilities. Encouragement from others can help, but ultimately, success comes from within.
Persistence and hard work are essential for success in any endeavor, regardless of natural talent or abilities. The speaker emphasizes the importance of encouraging others, but acknowledges that different people may require varying forms of support at different stages of their journey. The idea that "talent is bullshit" and "work is everything" is offered as a guiding principle for aspiring artists and writers, but it applies to all areas of life. The speaker believes that everyone has the capacity to improve and grow, as long as they are willing to put in the effort and maintain a strong work ethic. Ultimately, success comes from within, and it requires a commitment to self-discipline, self-belief, and the ability to weather adversity.
Creative Surrender: Creative ideas don't stem from force but from a state of surrender and letting go, embracing challenges and uncertainty in the creative process leads to growth and progress
Ideas and creativity don't come from force or trying hard, but rather from a state of surrender and letting go. This concept, borrowed from ancient practices like invoking the muse, suggests that there are other dimensions of reality that can inspire us. Additionally, the idea of resistance being a necessary part of the creative process was explored, with the idea that without challenges or self-doubt, there would be no growth or progress. The concept of "pulling the pin" was also discussed, representing the commitment to see a project through to the end despite resistance. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of embracing the challenges and uncertainty in the creative process.
Work ethic and creativity: Consistent effort and hard work, not just innate talent, contribute to success and creativity. Embrace patience, curiosity, and risk-taking in the face of challenges, and stay true to your creative vision.
Success and creativity are not solely dependent on innate talent or genius, but rather on consistent effort and hard work. The speaker reflects on the importance of work ethic and the role it plays in achieving goals, using the metaphor of being kicked out of the garden of Eden and having to grind as an example. He also emphasizes the significance of the undiscovered parts of the brain and the potential for creativity and resistance to reside there. The speaker shares his belief in the Stoic philosophy of consciously choosing to embrace patience, curiosity, and a willingness to assume risk. He also expresses his admiration for screenwriting, despite its challenges, and the importance of staying true to one's creative vision, even if it means self-publishing.
Writing as following muse's assignment: Embrace patience, perseverance, and courage while trusting the creative process to excavate existing stories instead of focusing on specific readers or deadlines.
For author Steven Pressfield, writing is about following the muse's assignment and excavating the story that already exists, rather than focusing on specific readers or deadlines. He emphasizes the importance of patience, perseverance, and courage in the writing process, which he sees as virtues shared by both warriors and artists. Pressfield also mentioned that his book "The Virtues of War" explores these themes, and he encourages embracing adversity and enduring setbacks. If asked about his most formative experience, Pressfield pointed to his truck driving days in his late twenties. He plans to keep writing as long as the muse continues to give him assignments, and his website is a resource for those interested in his work. Overall, Pressfield's approach to writing emphasizes trusting the creative process and staying true to the art.