Quiet The Dragon

I’ve been reading Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss. Jen got it for me for Christmas because she’s awesome. I was reading Steven Pressfield’s entry in this giant book of advice from the giants. Here’s the quote that jumped off the page at me:

“If you want to become a billionaire, invent something that will allow people to indulge in their on Resistance. Somebody did invent it. It’s called the internet. Social Media.”

If you’re unfamiliar with Pressfield, he wrote a little book called Do The Work in which he personifies that wall we all come to when creating things. He calls it “The Resistance.” The resistance is spiteful and angry and it stands between you and the things you know you could make. It’s a dragon that must be slain before completing the journey. The Resistance wants nothing more than for you to give into those voices that tell you’re not enough, you don’t belong here, just stay in your lane. And it will present plenty of complimentary evidence of this fact.

If there was every an invention that encouraged people to stay the same, it’s social media. Trapped in our tiny echo-chambers we become flooded with confirming thoughts, posts, videos… all telling us to stay the same. Don’t step out and change things. Just sit here and keep scrolling. Social media is a megaphone for Resistance. With it, Resistance doesn’t even have to try to stop you from creating your best work. It knows that when we wrap ourselves up in that world, we’re so far from actually doing the work it takes to create something that it can take a lunch break until we wake up and decide to do something.

I will not be exiting the internet just yet. I think it’s a beautiful thing. I think social media can be a beautiful thing and I will continue to use it. (for now) But I do recognize that sometimes I’m using it to numb and to distract. I know that because it’s obvious.  I’m indulging in my own Resistance, making the dragon’s job easy.

So what’s the answer? Honestly, it’s simple. Pour yourself deep into ‘a work’ and stay there. Work is the ultimate anti-Resistance force.  With it, all the tools of Resistance no longer matter. Work is what quiets the dragon.

When faced with Resistance — work.

Here’s a couple more directives to take with you for the new year:

-Don’t stay in your lane.

-You’re enough. Now go make something.

-Let go of what’s happened. Being present makes a way for what’s next.

-You belong, now act like it.

-Always Change.

This year is going to be epic. I can feel it and I bet you can too. Run with that. Believe that. Make good things.

-Chris

P.S. Happy New Year, my friends. I’ve missed you. Let’s talk more this year, ok? 🙂