Slay the Dragon
On the field of the Self stand a knight and a dragon. You are the knight. Resistance is the dragon.
Steven Pressfield, Do the Work
This is essay number 290.
By now, you’d think I could write these in my sleep.
After all, they’re short — just my thoughts on a random quotation.
But that’s precisely the problem.
Finding a quotation that sparks a thoughtful, helpful response isn’t trivial.
And short, concise writing? It’s the hardest kind.
So, I find excuses to delay starting — or skip writing altogether.
Steven Pressfield calls that Resistance.
It’s more than a metaphor. It’s a fifth fundamental force, alongside gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force.
Physics hasn’t discovered it yet, but every creator has felt its pull.
It whispers that you’re not good enough to create anything of value.
It insists no one cares about your work.
It claims you’re not ready — you need more research.
It urges you to tackle “important” tasks, like checking email.
It paralyzes you with indecision about where to start.
It mocks your arrogance for thinking you have something meaningful to add.
That dragon is intimidating, convincing, and intimately familiar with your vulnerabilities.
But face it with courage and determination, and you can defeat it.
The more you confront it, the weaker it grows.
Yet this beast is cunning. Drop your guard, and it unleashes a torrent of fiery abuse.
You can overcome its lies, though. You’re not alone.
Every creator has battled this dragon: Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Elon Musk.
I can almost hear it sneering, “I knew Leonardo. Leonardo was a friend of mine. You’re no Leonardo.”
Maybe not. But you do have something significant to contribute.
The real obstacle isn’t lack of resources, skill, or experience. It’s Resistance — the dragon blocking your path.
In your hand, however, is a lethal weapon: the sword of courage, action, and persistence.
Unsure of your quest? Seek the dragon. Where Resistance rears its head, that’s your true path.
Your only way forward is to slay it. No knight in shining armor will rescue you.
You are that knight.
Out now on Amazon: The Courageous Heart: Wisdom for Difficult Times, an Eric Hoffer Award Finalist. Grab your copy today.
