10 brutal writing truths I learned from Steven Pressfield

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For most of his 20s and 30s, Steven Pressfield was a self-described total loser.

He:

↳ Lived in a van.
↳ Ruined his marriage.
↳ Bounced around 21 different jobs.
↳ Quit everything as soon as it got hard.

Until one day, he hit a breaking point. And told the voice inside his head (Resistance) to piss off.

He described this moment as "turning pro” and never looked back.

Today's he's sold millions of books worldwide, all because of three simple principles:

• Recognize and fight Resistance

• Commit to becoming a pro

• Do the damn work

Here are the 10 brutal writing truths I’ve learned from him:

1. Resistance is the enemy

Resistance (self-sabotage) manifests as procrastination, fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, and distraction.

“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.”

2. Shadow careers are a trap

A shadow career is a job that resembles your true calling but without the risk

(or turning to a course/book instead of doing the thing).

“Sometimes when we're terrified of embracing our true calling, we'll pursue a shadow version of it.”

3. You must turn Pro

The difference between amateurs and professionals is mindset.

“In our day jobs, we show up every day, whether we want to or not. [But with our passion] we don’t have that kind of hard-core professional attitude.”

4. You are not your Work

Separate your identity from your output. This helps pros endure criticism, failure, rejection, and overconfidence

“Resistance will tell you you’re a bum. Resistance will tell you you’re a genius. Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.”

5. Start before you’re ready

Stop waiting for inspiration or permission. Get started.

“Don't prepare. Begin.”

6. Creative work is War

Fighting Resistance is a daily battle that never ends.

“The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day.”

7. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t

People don’t owe you their attention. Your job is to earn it by being clear, engaging, and providing value.

“Your stuff is boring, obscure, self-indulgent. So what? That’s no reason not to write it. Just make it better.”

8. The Muse only shows up when you do

Inspiration follows discipline. The Muse comes to those who work, not those who wait.

“When we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen.”

9. Fear is a compass

What you fear most is often what you should be doing. Fear points toward growth.

“Resistance will unfailingly point to true North—meaning that call or action it most wants us to stop doing is precisely the thing we must do.”

10. Put your a** where your heart wants to be

What you do each day determines

who you become.

“Where you put your body, your heart and mind will follow.”