"The War of Art" Author Steven Pressfield on Overcoming Self-Sabotage, Momentum, and Turning Pro

[@timferriss]

Brought to you by MasterClass online video lessons taught by 180+ of the world’s best masterclass.com/ferriss, Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement athleticgreens.com/tim, and Eight Sleep’s Pod Pro Cover sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating eightsleep.com/Tim.

[@mydemon]

Something special about in-person conversations

[@daniel_najar]

The War Of Art is an all time classic 🐐

[@mackmcd]

I've spent the last 2 years in a creative rut. The last 12 months completely stalled. Unable to even face the page. Despite reading War of Art multiple times. I'm going to take the timing of this episode as my kick in the ass to beat resistance and make 2023 the year. Better than 2023, I'm going to start today.

[@compedium]

there's many similar books you might try as well

[@mackmcd]

@@compedium Like Bird by Bird? The Artist's Way? On Writing? Start with Why? Every book by Seth Godin? I've been through quite a few books. At a certain point I think my reading about it is getting in the way of just doing it.

[@rainierr9356]

Thats the key. New Year's Resolutions need to be started before xmas. Ideally right after Thanksgiving. Sounds like youre getting after it. Best of luck!

[@GavinCee]

@@mackmcd That's a whole new level of fear of failure. Just start. Get the ball rolling.

[@Ruylopez778]

I have some suggestions if you want (although they may be a form of procrastination). Essentially the idea of a 'writing routine/process'. Ellen Brock (professional novel editor) has a series of videos about 4 different writer types (she commonly identifies) and what techniques may help and why depending on type. Glenn Gers' channel (Writing for Screens) also has advice on process and mentality. Cory Mandell has great advice on ways to combat procrastination. Ken Atchity has a good discussion about separating your need to do the work from expectation, along the lines of, 'let it be judged or not judged, it's beyond my control. My job is to do the work'. And finally, Kaufman's BAFTA guru speech (can be found in transcript and video) where he basically says all you can do as a writer is write what you care about, from your perspective, and that's all any writer has ever done that you care about. Your own voice is what you have to share with the world, and that's all you need. For example, one of these exercises (I think from Mandell) is to actually warm up on the blank page by typing exactly what thoughts or feelings come into your head, such as, 'I don't have anything to write and this isn't going to work...'

this was simply the best conversation I have heard in the last year. Inspiring and intelligent episode. I saw myself in Tim's words and questions in the last 3 years of my life. Steven is a wise soul. Thank you for this moment.

[@CamelliaYang]

Thanks a lot for this episode. I'm a bilingual writer working on fiction in English and Chinese. This episode is just in time and encourages me to take this lonely and fulfilling journey to publish my books.

[@amandavirrey2412]

I'm so happy and grateful for this interview. This came through on automatic play as the exact calling for me to resume writing my fiction novel. It totally resonated with me on many levels. Thank you both and all the best to your creative ventures!

[@ryanusa860]

Great conversation. @53:30 I really relate to being lost in the wilderness with no clue as to why. I’m a failed writer, sitting in my semi truck and reading government cheese certainly gives me some hope in my darkest hours.

[@peggyon1]

Great talk! Also can't take my eyes off the decor--cool chairs, sculptures, under-lighting, beautiful outside greenery.

[@henryomorodion]

so glad he wrote war of art. thank you sir

[@kadavy]

The ten-minute discussion about absurdity, starting 54:28, is very, very important 👌

[@agoogleuser6937]

4 hours work week & Do the work are the Best Books that i ever read, the books that most inspired me. Seeing my idols together is Great!!! ❤❤🎉❤❤

[@ThesySurface]

Definitely love Steve's comment on character names. Worth spending a solid, quality time on that ;)

[@ado4516]

Hi Tim: The Hemingway observation is not all apocryphal. It's from his book "A Moveable Feast": "It was wonderful to walk down the long flights of stairs knowing that I’d had good luck working. I always worked until I had something done and I always stopped when I knew what was going to happen next. That way I could be sure of going on the next day.”

[@borisleoro8943]

Glad to see you doing well Tim. I have all your books

[@carolgerber6375]

Fabulous advice! Merci.

[@gabriel_augustob]

One of the best episodes of the year for me! Thank you! His name is missing on the title/thumbnail!

[@DJSTOEK]

Thanks

[@TejenderPrasad]

Love seeing Tim Interviewing in person again :)

[@divyanshsh]

This video is exactly what i needed, thank you so much

[@tomburroughes9834]

Ian Fleming was a genius at the right names for characters, and took a lot of time on it. He would write down names he heard or read that might be useful in his books; he also took names from real characters (Blofeld, Goldfinger, Drax).

[@ResellDecadence]

What an interesting conversation, i found this incredibly unique. Both partys heavily involved in an exchange of ideas. I like the word humble. There would be an argument that they don't need to be, but ultimately it’s far more more-ish because these men are still learning. I have written several pieces in my You Tube collection. I would be indebted if the early stage in this story, you two were the first to subscribe. That said, don't so a thing unless the writing rocks your world. Atrhis stage it might simply be enough to gently sway a rowing boat.

[@ShantellBancroft]

so great, gonna share this with my community

[@TimMcKennaItsThePlumber]

Thanks for this and all your interviews. I can't help to wonder with the growth of AI will we have any writers, artists, creators in two years.

[@JoanneWhitlock]

You may like to see the film the man who invented Christmas, it’s about Dickens and writing and he has some great sections about coming up with names and about developing his characters. Fab film.

[@blazemordly9746]

Mistyped cockpunch for pinch in a search…overloaded with images i can’t ever unsee. Send instructions for formatting pc please.

[@בצלוענייניםוטימטום]

😂

[@slackeratslack]

What a well behaved dog!! Excellent conversation

[@GroundbreakGames]

34:37 This is what Robert Hunter referred to as "when the music plays the band"

[@benascg-ll7sq]

7:30 healthy denial : seeing the fact but deciding your interpretation of it, as opposed to accepting whatever interpretation society imposes upon you

[@thriversoffset]

Tim is gold

[@WhiteAir-qi9hh]

Thanks "my brother.

[@00G295]

Tim, what is that art/sculptures behind both of you in the single person shots? It's amazing

[@JeremyElice]

Pressfield is the man

[@isaacramirez2131]

Are those Alebrijes in the background?

[@samloutalbotmusic]

Amazing.

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Watching made me realize I just had my wilderness moment a few days ago. So glad I found this, thanks. And by the way, I have Gov’t. Cheese, just haven’t read it yet😂🤙

[@diegonayalazo]

Thanks for sharing

[@stardresser1]

"Government Cheese" is a term for welfare, of many kinds. My freelance pals and I often refer to our unemployment checks between gigs as government cheese. People who struggle, on welfare or in the freelance trenches (often both) know this term well. It is what keeps you alive in rough times.

[@SWISSVERSE]

Loving the "delusion" based tips. Totally makes sense to me

[@chadwalkaden6375]

Tim, why isn't The Cockpuch Podcast on KZbin?

[@bryceclark8985]

Great content :-)

[@KazimBaksh]

A brilliant episode!

[@contemptofcourttour1235]

Among many other things, I try to specialize in dreams. Clearly, he took away from it one important meaning (dreams can have multiple layers with many meanings), but one of the meanings of the dream was that he knew he needed to get organized to succeed. Also, his point about fear of succeeding at the expense of thinking he’s better then friends and family is a term I coined as “blue collar guilt-you’re expected to work a job you hate to hold the status quo in society, and the want to fulfill your calling can be self-sabotage because you feel shameful in wanting more and you’re afraid those around you will say ‘you think you’re special or better than me?’ Not realizing that any creative endeavor is a valid career

[@stardresser1]

Ok...I love Tim. And I love this author. But...like no one else had a bad f ing last 2 years? Like its some Big Mystery that people had a hard time getting things to fruition since 2020? Especially oddball creative freelance types? Just Tim? 2nd...uhm, The Heros Journey, Joseph Campbell. HellOOO. Addressed so much of this, specifically with the myths that have helped man understand life decades ago. It's not new guys. Give some credit. Other than my 2 irritations, this is a very engaging interview, thank you Tim.

[@lovetownsend]

"I'm what's called a realist... but in philosophical terms I'm called a pessimist." -Rust from True Detective :p Reminded of that quote when y'all talked about having to be ignorant to the world's horrors to stay positive. The obvious stuff you worry about like worlds hotter every year, running out of gasoline, standard of living keeps dropping, traffic getting worse and worse, covid, etc. etc. Then there's the less obvious things... like how they discovered male's produce 70% less semen now than 50 years ago cause of plastics we ingest. Or how topsoil which we use to grow all our crops will no longer exist in 60 years. And that's not even including all the personal horrors of whatever situation you're in; poor, ugly, lonely, disabled, unmotivated, feeling lost and confused, dealing with horrible selfish people every day. It's very overwhelming! lol I found acknowledging the horrors but having the courage to move forward is what helps.

[@link6563]

Would it not just add another layer of problems when trying to get something done thinking there is some force out to get you? Granted it might be true but I don't see how thinking about another problem while trying to solve a problem helps. I much rather his turning pro mentality than thinking there is a negative force trying to fight me that is like something I imagined? I mean being a professional can be proven and seen. Thinking some random force is out there trying to stop you is just something you have to believe? Were is the actual proof?

[@fromsamuraitoscience7184]

If you don't those things it will f. you up at 45 yes 😆 or that is experience. Luckily never too late to start

[@carsengobber5904]

Nothing like a couple dudes on your personal mount rushmore sitting down to talk about a fantasy land called CockPunch

[@adrianazollo2688]

Less thinking more making out fam go find someone hot happy new year lol 😂

[@jakescott5365]

Names? Oh really writing now, not a hack more search out newborns most popular names from any year or country or region

[@cinemasanders977]

'Ladies and germs' = instant 👎

[@dubovainstruments]

Needed to hear this interview, like whoa, today. Thanks much for creating it!