A Professional Accepts No Excuses

I’m going to be honest.

Resistance almost got the better of me today.

I woke up tired.

Exhausted may be the better word.

My arm was sore because I recently tore a tendon in my left bicep.

There was a chance we were headed to Pittsburgh to have our fourth baby.

It’s the week of Christmas, for goodness sake!

I did not feel like working.

I did not feel like doing the project we had planned for the day, which was a particularly difficult one.

I did not feel like recording a video.

I did not feel like writing.

I felt like taking a nap and not much else.

I sat and I stared at the computer screen at my normal writing hour.

A voice in my head screamed that it was okay to not work today. Given the circumstances, anyone would forgive me for taking a day off. Resistance came at me with everything it had.

I came so close to caving.

But there was a passage from the War of Art by Steven Pressfield echoing in my head.

A PROFESSIONAL ACCEPTS NO EXCUSES
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The amateur, underestimating Resistance’s cunning, permits the flu to keep him from his chapters; he believes the serpent’s voice in his head that says mailing off that manuscript is more important than doing the day’s work.

The professional has learned better. He respects Resistance. He knows that if he caves today, no matter how plausible the pretext, he’ll be twice as likely to cave in tomorrow.

The professional knows that Resistance is like a telemarketer, if you so much as say hello, you’re finished. The pro doesn’t even pick up the phone. He stays at work.

I knew that if I caved today, the whole 90 day project was over. I knew that all the momentum I have gained over the past ~2.5 weeks would be flushed down the toilet.

I resolved to show up and do my work.

What came out wasn’t particularly inspiring, but I sat down and started. I went out and took care of business on the farm.

When the exhaustion was too much to take anymore, I laid down in the middle of the field and took a nap.

I woke up refreshed and kept chugging.

One step at a time.

Get the project done. Take another nap. Record a video. Edit the video. Write something you don’t mind sharing.

Now here we are.

I’m sharing all this because I feel like most people just share the highlight reel and make the whole thing look easy. I’ve heard from many people who are following this, and a common sentiment is a feeling of inspiration - but also uncertainty about what they can do or where they should start because it seems difficult.

The truth is that there are points where things will be challenging. You will experience contrast.

Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise, though.

Today I chose to rise to the challenge and do the work. In the past, I wouldn’t have.

Will that matter? Only time will tell!

One thing that I’m sure of is that I feel very good about showing up, doing my work, and making an honest go at all this. I feel good that I will have no doubts about whether I did my best.

If you haven’t bought the War of Art yet and you are even mildly interested, I recommend it. I’ll even buy you a copy for Christmas if you so much as say the word.

If you don’t feel like you are a “creative” person, I would argue that you are wrong. The principles in the book apply to writers and artists, but they also apply to anyone who wants to create a happier, healthier life for themselves and their family.

Anyway, time to go read to the kids.

Thanks for reading!

Life is good.