Have you ever read, watched, or listened to something that resonates at such a profound level that you wonder how you lived your entire life to that point without finding it?
Perhaps it perfectly articulates a deeply held belief of yours, simplifying it down to its very essence. Maybe it reveals a perspective you’ve never considered but, now that you know, can’t imagine life without. Either way, you’re certain you’ll never forget it.
Steven Pressfield (author of The War of Art and Do the Work) recently released a new book about his journey as a writer called Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t. Here are some of his words that I found myself screaming yes to:
“A real writer (or artist or entrepreneur) has something to give. She has lived enough and suffered enough to be able to process it into something that is of value to others, even if only as entertainment.
A fake writer (or artist or entrepreneur) is just trying to draw attention to himself. The word “fake” may be too unkind. Let’s say young or evolving.”
“Which idea, of all those swimming inside your brain, are you compelled to pursue the way Ahab was driven to hunt Moby Dick?”
“What you learn in Wrong Career #1 will serve you in Off-Key Career #2 and in Out-of-Kilter Career #3 and the wisdom you acquire in #1, #2, and #3, will form the foundation of Real Calling #4 (or #5 or #6 or however long it takes.)“
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Stephen King once said in an interview that before his work was written down he often felt like his head “hurt”, because there was so many stories and ideas he had that he wanted to share with the world. Not only is this something that has resonated through me, but it also something from a great writer that relates to the idea in this post. We all have something to give. It almost feels like out destiny when we think about it and work at it every single day.
“Stephen King once said in an interview that before his work was written down he often felt like his head “hurt”, because there was so many stories and ideas he had that he wanted to share with the world.”
^That is wonderful.