Resistance is a concept created by American novelist Steven Pressfield That illustrates the universal power That he claims acts contre human creativity . ^[1] It was first described in his non-fiction book The War of Art ^[2] and elaborated in the follow-up books Do The Work ^[3] and Turning Pro , ^[4] and in other essays. ^[5] It is also a recurring theme in some of his fiction novels such as The Legend of Vance Bagger ^[6] and The Virtues of War . ^[7]

Resistance is described in a mythical fashion as a universal force that has one sole mission: to keep things as they are. Pressfield claims that it does not have a personal vendetta against anyone, rather it is simply trying to accomplish its mission. ^[8] It is necessary to be rationalizing , inspiring fear and anxiety , emphasizing other distractions that require attention, raising the voice of an inner critic , and much more. It will use any tool to stop creation of an individual, no matter what field is the creation is in. ^[9]

Pressfield goes on to claim that Resistance is the most dangerous element to one’s life and dreams since its sole mission is to sabotage aspirations. He explains steps that can be taken to ensure that they survive and that they are able to build their potential. ^[10]

Pressfield’s concept of Resistance has-been Cited By authors Such As Seth Godin , ^[11] David Kelley and Tom Kelley , ^[12] Eric Liu and the Lincoln Center Institute , ^[13] Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter , ^[14] and Gina Trapani . ^[15]

Criticism

Psychologist Frederick Heide has cited Pressfield’s book The War of Art and questioned whether “fighting” Resistance is always a helpful metaphor; Heide suggested that such agonistic metaphors could end up “ironically perpetuating the resistance it predicts.” ^[16] Nevertheless, Heide noted, such an agonistic approach to resistance remains widespread in psychotherapeutic thinking. ^[17] Heide cites a scholarly article that points to some nonagonistic alternative strategies for working with relational psychoanalytic psychotherapy, personal construct therapy, narrative therapy , motivational interviewing, process-experiential therapy , and coherence therapy . ^[18]

See also

• Decisional balance sheet
• Immunity to change
• Procrastination
• Psychological resistance
• Sin

Notes

References

• Frankel, Ze’ev; Levitt, Heidi M. (September 2006). “Postmodern strategies for working with resistance: problem solving or self-revolution?” (PDF) . Journal of Constructivist Psychology . 19 (3): 219-250. doi : 10.1080 / 13854040600689141 .
• Godin, Seth (2010). Linchpin: are you indispensable? . New York: Portfolio. ISBN  9781591843160 . OCLC  430051358 .
• Heide, Frederick J. (March 2010). “The Agonistic Metaphor in Psychotherapy: Should Customers Battle Their Blues?” Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training . 47 (1): 68-82. doi : 10.1037 / a0018839 .
• Holiday, Ryan (6 July 2012). “How to turn pro, from the warrior artist, Steven Pressfield” . Forbes . Retrieved 27 July 2015 .
• Kelley, David ; Kelley, Tom (2013). Creative confidence: unleashing the creative potential within us all . New York: Crown Business . ISBN  9780385349369 . OCLC  848756224 .
• Kiyosaki, Robert T .; Lechter, Sharon L. (2005). Rich dad’s before you quit your job: 10 real-life lessons every entrepreneur should know about building a multimillion-dollar business . New York: Warner Business Books . ISBN  0446696374 . OCLC  60705631 .
• Liu, Eric ; Noppe-Brandon, Scott (2009). Imagination first: unlocking the power of possibility . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass . ISBN  9780470382486 . OCLC  317456255 .
• Pressfield, Steven (1995). The legend of Bagger Vance: golf and the game of life . New York: William Morrow and Co. ISBN  0688140483 . OCLC  31045499 .
• Pressfield, Steven (2002). The war of art: winning the inner creative battle . New York: Rugged Land. ISBN  9781590710036 . OCLC  49837985 .
• Pressfield, Steven (2004). The virtues of war: a novel of Alexander the Great . New York: Doubleday . ISBN  0385500998 . OCLC  55095668 .
• Pressfield, Steven (2011a). Do the work !: overcome resistance and get out of your own way . Hastings, NY: Do You Zoom Inc. ISBN  9781936719013 . OCLC  707232622 .
• Pressfield, Steven (20 April 2011b). “Overcome resistance and get out of your own way” . 99u.com . Retrieved 27 July 2015 .
• Pressfield, Steven (2012). Turning pro: tap your inner power and create your life’s work . New York: Black Irish Entertainment. ISBN  9781936891030 . OCLC  798188052 .
• Trapani, Gina (2008). Upgrade your life: the Lifehacker guide to working smarter, faster, better . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons . ISBN  9780470238363 . OCLC  191090279 .