It took me 17 years of writing to make my first penny ($3,500 for a script that was never produced).
It took me 27 years to publish my first novel (Return to Glory).
During that time, I worked 21 different jobs in 11 states.
I taught school, drove a tractor-trailer, worked in commercials, worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood, worked on offshore oil rigs, and picked fruit like an immigrant worker.
One season I lived in this house. It has no electricity, no water, no doors, no windows. Rent is $15 per month.
During this time, I kept writing.
Why am I telling you this?
Because this book is about letting you learn from my mistakes.
Because this book is meant to help you avoid all the desperate situations I found myself in before I became a writer.
You were supposed to be a painter, an entrepreneur, an athlete; you were supposed to put on your running shoes, pick up a paintbrush, and travel yesterday. You succumb to painkillers, gossip, and cell phone addiction, and the person you were meant to be only exists as a fantasy in the dead of night. You squandered your gifts by succumbing to your lifelong enemy. As a person who has hit rock bottom, the author Pressfield uses his life-long experience to summarize the root cause of these difficulties for us - internal resistance, and points out that this enemy is the biggest challenge we face in living another life, and the way to defeat it is to take action and become a professional player. This book is written for everyone, especially creators, entrepreneurs, procrastinators, people who waste talents, lack the ability to take action and hesitate. The author not only gives a resounding slap in the face, but also gives extremely generous and sincere encouragement.
Reader comments
Advantages:
The part about internal resistance was very inspiring to me. It is like a strategic guide and guidance, from identifying internal resistance to resisting internal resistance. Internal resistance feeds on fear, and the background of fear is fear of success. Through verbal description, the originally ethereal feelings become concrete, just like taking off the enemy's invisibility cloak and being able to fight face to face.
Disadvantages:
I can't understand the description of gods in the article. The worship of gods can be mapped into the reverence for genes, organisms, and nature. But individuals should not be servants of gods, and love can be cultivated. More rational thinking should be added to the reasons for resisting internal resistance and the purpose of individual actions. Love and talent cannot be used as the only reference standards.
Summary: The ideal state after reading this book is: when you feel the difficulty of progress and the resistance to action, an arrogant arrogance rises in your heart: This is God's will! Then get started! ! !
Maybe it's because I'm not good at dealing with foreign literature. The straightforward and streamlined arguments seem to me more like a deliberate pep talk than a real deep insight. The author's writing style is also relatively ordinary, and I don't really agree with many of his opinions... But I admire his courage. In my opinion, the author is more like a practitioner who compensates for his weakness with diligence, respecting his works and daring to practice.
This book gives people a lot of ideas, but there are some that I don't understand the first time I read it. The second time I read it, it felt brand new and seemed to be in sharp contrast to the first time I read it. I really liked this book and it really sparked a lot of thinking. It's great, and the analogies in the book are straightforward. It doesn't mean to go around and around, and the structure of the whole book is relatively good. It first tells you what it is, and then uses examples to give examples of how to do it. Then, later on, it teaches you how to do it, what will happen in the process of doing it, and then uses chestnuts to tell you what to do when encountering this situation. It's great.
There are parts of the theory that people can agree with, as written in the preface, which give people a refreshing feeling in the first and second parts. However, as a person outside the doctrine, it is difficult to agree with the abstract gods in the third part. But despite this, the views on pain, the interpretation of internal resistance, the understanding of professional players, and the view of the combination of individuals and companies are all common interpretations. It opens up our thinking field and finds that these can be combined to think together, use thinking models in different fields to solve problems, and delve into theories based on commonalities. This is also a kind of deterministic research.
It's okay, I have some insights, but not too much. The ones recommended to me by reading bloggers are not as powerful as they said, maybe I haven't realized them yet. I feel that when I realize a truth, I find that the author writes a lot of things just to prove a point, which makes it long and boring, and the translation contains a lot of local social culture that I can't understand. But in general, it was still helpful. At least I began to realize the life attitude of "full-time" and "part-time". I began to insist on drawing for a while every day, started running, started imagining my own novels, and other various changes. Still very good
Does it feel like a brainwashing book? The bad thing is internal resistance! It's over, I've been brainwashed…it's not good because it's internal resistance! !
Internal resistance should be a negative product of the emotional and instinctive brains. Humans are indeed creatures that "live in the moment" and enjoy immediate feedback. They lack patience and foresight. The most powerful emotions to be wary of danger in times of peace are anxiety and fear... Nowadays, there are even more things that can make us fall into a timely feedback loop, and internal resistance has become a plus. But if it feels like it's okay, if you rely on the social system to function, and gain enough achievements and security, who wouldn't want to take a break from get off work and play a few games. If you have longer-term goals and revenge, you really need to be vigilant. You can't finish the game and regret not studying today.
I insisted on coming to my desk every day. I was often too anxious to put down my pen because of the anxiety of writing the paper. I fantasized about when I would be accepted, but I was hesitant to even send it to the teacher or submit it. You will be afraid of being criticized and rejected. I also discovered that I would be more anxious if I didn't do anything throughout the day. But even if I failed after doing many experiments for a long time, I would breathe a sigh of relief. At least I have eliminated some methods, which can be considered progress. So, regardless of the results, start doing it first and you will be closer to the goal!
Man is a body of contradictions. As long as there are people, there will be contradictions. So no matter when there are people, there will be internal resistance. The essence of the world is the two sides of yin and yang. There are black and white. So I think that many times the internal resistance is just a kind of fear in the heart. A kind of contradiction and confrontation with ourselves. Many times our fear is not what we see, but what we imagine.
Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, counteract them with actions
I am not a person who particularly likes reading, but after reading it, my perspective changed, that is, my thinking can become positive, which is a bit like the feeling in Buddhism (whether it is hard work or not). We will all face difficulties and choices throughout our lives. I hope my friends will open the door to choose love.
To experience that high-end life that you never wanted to have, another version of yourself.
Practice means that the left foot is ahead of the right foot. At least you have the courage to not regret it.
Do it first, then talk about it after doing it.
Every sudden thought of trying to change something is your future self asking for help from your present self.
Respect the inner resistance, allow it to exist, and fight against it throughout your life.
For a severe procrastinator, I got a lot of motivation and inspiration. The most important thing is to do it first, start first and finish first.
I really gained a lot of insights
666, I was asked to comment on this book halfway through reading. Do you realize that this is internal resistance?
Great insights and discoveries that can change an individual's life.
The book lives up to its name, Enemies of Life, very good
I really like reading a certain place and feel a warm feeling in my heart.
A very good book that can encourage me in a bad environment
Personally, I think this is a book that can be read to help us adjust our state when we lack motivation and fear of difficulties in life.
It's all reverse thinking and very influential to readers. It can expand people's thinking and enhance people's cognition. And the perspective of looking at things and relationships.
Definitely worth seeing
A very useful book
Very well written! I like!
It's a pretty good book.
Very good, clear logic [like]
It's good, it just makes people work harder
Only if you really want to change can you do it [smile]
Give yourself some inspiration and encouragement. Overall, it gave me some inspiration.
For the first time, I came across the concept of internal resistance. It has a bit of a metaphysical feel, but it is very useful and can cure internal friction.
It is true and objective, with a clear structure. I came to read this book after reading the reviews. It is very suitable for daily life. I hope I can get some inspiration and solutions from the book to reduce my internal resistance.
It's good-looking, shocking, and worth watching over and over again. If you defeat the internal resistance, it will become the internal driving force [laughing and crying]
Internal resistance is everywhere, it's fear, it's our inner strength
Advantages: The part about internal resistance was very inspiring to me. It is like a strategic guide and guidance, from identifying internal resistance to resisting internal resistance. Internal resistance feeds on fear, and the background of fear is fear of success. Through verbal description, the originally ethereal feelings become concrete, just like taking off the enemy's invisibility cloak and being able to fight face to face. Disadvantages: I can't understand the description of gods in the article. The worship of gods can be mapped into the reverence for genes, organisms, and nature. But individuals should not be servants of gods, and love can be cultivated. More rational thinking should be added to the reasons for resisting internal resistance and the purpose of individual actions. Love and talent cannot be used as the only reference standards. Summary: The ideal state after reading this book is: when you feel the difficulty of progress and the resistance to action, an arrogant arrogance rises in your heart: This is God's will! Then get started! ! !
Maybe it's because I'm not good at dealing with foreign literature. The straightforward and streamlined arguments seem to me more like a deliberate pep talk than a real deep insight. The author's writing style is also relatively ordinary, and I don't really agree with many of his opinions... But I admire his courage. In my opinion, the author is more like a practitioner who compensates for his weakness with diligence, respecting his works and daring to practice.
This book gives people a lot of ideas, but there are some that I don't understand the first time I read it. The second time I read it, it felt brand new and seemed to be in sharp contrast to the first time I read it. I really liked this book and it really sparked a lot of thinking. It's great, and the analogies in the book are straightforward. It doesn't mean to go around and around, and the structure of the whole book is relatively good. It first tells you what it is, and then uses examples to give examples of how to do it. Then, later on, it teaches you how to do it, what will happen in the process of doing it, and then uses chestnuts to tell you what to do when encountering this situation. It's great.
There are parts of the theory that people can agree with, as written in the preface, which give people a refreshing feeling in the first and second parts. However, as a person outside the doctrine, it is difficult to agree with the abstract gods in the third part. But despite this, the views on pain, the interpretation of internal resistance, the understanding of professional players, and the view of the combination of individuals and companies are all common interpretations. It opens up our thinking field and finds that these can be combined to think together, use thinking models in different fields to solve problems, and delve into theories based on commonalities. This is also a kind of deterministic research.
It's okay, I have some insights, but not too much. The ones recommended to me by reading bloggers are not as powerful as they said, maybe I haven't realized them yet. I feel that when I realize a truth, I find that the author writes a lot of things just to prove a point, which makes it long and boring, and the translation contains a lot of local social culture that I can't understand. But in general, it was still helpful. At least I began to realize the life attitude of "full-time" and "part-time". I began to insist on drawing for a while every day, started running, started imagining my own novels, and other various changes. Still very good
Does it feel like a brainwashing book? The bad thing is internal resistance! It's over, I've been brainwashed…it's not good because it's internal resistance! ! Internal resistance should be a negative product of the emotional and instinctive brains. Humans are indeed creatures that "live in the moment" and enjoy immediate feedback. They lack patience and foresight. The most powerful emotions to be wary of danger in times of peace are anxiety and fear... Nowadays, there are even more things that can make us fall into a timely feedback loop, and internal resistance has become a plus. But if it feels like it's okay, if you rely on the social system to function, and gain enough achievements and security, who wouldn't want to take a break from get off work and play a few games. If you have longer-term goals and revenge, you really need to be vigilant. You can't finish the game and regret not studying today.
I insisted on coming to my desk every day. I was often too anxious to put down my pen because of the anxiety of writing the paper. I fantasized about when I would be accepted, but I was hesitant to even send it to the teacher or submit it. You will be afraid of being criticized and rejected. I also discovered that I would be more anxious if I didn't do anything throughout the day. But even if I failed after doing many experiments for a long time, I would breathe a sigh of relief. At least I have eliminated some methods, which can be considered progress. So, regardless of the results, start doing it first and you will be closer to the goal!
Man is a body of contradictions. As long as there are people, there will be contradictions. So no matter when there are people, there will be internal resistance. The essence of the world is the two sides of yin and yang. There are black and white. So I think that many times the internal resistance is just a kind of fear in the heart. A kind of contradiction and confrontation with ourselves. Many times our fear is not what we see, but what we imagine.
Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, counteract them with actions
I am not a person who particularly likes reading, but after reading it, my perspective changed, that is, my thinking can become positive, which is a bit like the feeling in Buddhism (whether it is hard work or not). We will all face difficulties and choices throughout our lives. I hope my friends will open the door to choose love. To experience that high-end life that you never wanted to have, another version of yourself. Practice means that the left foot is ahead of the right foot. At least you have the courage to not regret it.
Do it first, then talk about it after doing it. Every sudden thought of trying to change something is your future self asking for help from your present self. Respect the inner resistance, allow it to exist, and fight against it throughout your life.
For a severe procrastinator, I got a lot of motivation and inspiration. The most important thing is to do it first, start first and finish first.
I really gained a lot of insights 666, I was asked to comment on this book halfway through reading. Do you realize that this is internal resistance?
Great insights and discoveries that can change an individual's life.
The book lives up to its name, Enemies of Life, very good
I really like reading a certain place and feel a warm feeling in my heart.
A very good book that can encourage me in a bad environment
Personally, I think this is a book that can be read to help us adjust our state when we lack motivation and fear of difficulties in life.
It's all reverse thinking and very influential to readers. It can expand people's thinking and enhance people's cognition. And the perspective of looking at things and relationships.
Definitely worth seeing
A very useful book
Very well written! I like!
It's a pretty good book.
Very good, clear logic [like]
It's good, it just makes people work harder
Only if you really want to change can you do it [smile]
Give yourself some inspiration and encouragement. Overall, it gave me some inspiration.
For the first time, I came across the concept of internal resistance. It has a bit of a metaphysical feel, but it is very useful and can cure internal friction.
It is true and objective, with a clear structure. I came to read this book after reading the reviews. It is very suitable for daily life. I hope I can get some inspiration and solutions from the book to reduce my internal resistance.
It's good-looking, shocking, and worth watching over and over again. If you defeat the internal resistance, it will become the internal driving force [laughing and crying] Internal resistance is everywhere, it's fear, it's our inner strength