Savvy Painter Podcast with Antrese Wood
Arts:Visual Arts
Webster’s Dictionary defines Resistance as, “an act or instance of resisting: opposition. b: a means of resisting. 2: the power or capacity to resist.”
What comes to mind when you think about resistance? Do you start thinking about all the things that are giving your resistance in your life? Do you have a resistant family member? What about that project that keeps giving you a headache? Imagine what it would be like to clearly identify and manage the resistance you face both personally and professionally. I’d like you to join me as I share some insights about my journey with resistance and some tips I’ve picked up along the way. If you are ready to make 2020 a more productive year - you’ll want to pay close attention!
Identifying resistanceI first learned about resistance when I read Steven Pressfield’s book, “The War of Art” in 2005. Before then, I had a hard time understanding why painting, writing, or any other creative endeavor was so hard.
Since then, I’ve re-read that book at least once every single year. Each time I read it, I have a different insight. If you’ve read Steven Pressfield’s book, the War of Art, you’re familiar with resistance. Even if you have not read his book, I’ll wager you are familiar with resistance, you just didn’t know it had a name, a proper name with a capital “R.” It’s real. It’s powerful. It’s a sneaky little bastard who’s not always easy to spot.
Pressfield uses a lot of war analogies in his descriptions of Resistance, and he’s right to do so because it’s serious business. Resistance is at war with you, it can destroy you. Resistance wants to take you out, so I do see Resistance as an enemy. If I let him have his way, I’d stop showing up for you. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere - I want to help artists like you kick this jerk to the curb!
Antrese’s rules for overcoming resistanceResistance will encourage you to overthink, over analyze and over research to the point that your mind is so filled with data, you’re immobilized. I am the queen of overthinking and self-inflicted analysis paralysis. Since I know that is my tendency, I’m learning to make action my default. Over the years, I found a few helpful ways to combat and even overcome Resistance’s influence in my life.
Here are a few rules I’ve made for myself, in time I may adjust them but for now, they’re working for me:
Given the choice between consuming and making, I will always choose making. I can only research for 20 minutes at a time. After I research I ALWAYS take action. That means if I’m researching a technique, I can only spend 20 minutes before I try the technique. I only need to know enough to take my next step. Most of the time, that baby step is enough to get me going.So there are a few examples of rules I have created for myself and I’d like to challenge you to make your own. You may not be prone to analysis paralysis, but you’re prone to something, and Resistance will find it and use it against you. Take the time to identify Resistance’s power in your life and plot steps to mitigate and even remove its power. Trust me, I know it’s hard work but it’s worth it!
Outline of This Episode [0:01] My introduction to this episode. [3:00] Some awesome feedback from artists like you! [5:00] Let other people inspire you. [7:00] How resistance shows up in my life. [9:30] Helpful rules that I’ve come up with to combat resistance. [12:30] Using resistance to your advantage. [17:30] How artists like you are dealing with resistance. [21:00] Closing thoughts and helpful tips. Resources Mentioned on this episode Steven Pressfield - The War of Art Carol Dweck - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Seth GodinCreating Ease in Your Studio - EP 276
How We Grow and Evolve as Artists - EP 275
When the Muppets in the Balcony Are Yammering Away - EP 274
The Artist Thermostat: Why It Can’t Be That Easy - EP 273
Patience Is about More than Waiting - EP 272
The Messy Middle Is an Essential Part of the Art Journey - EP 271
Punishing Yourself Doesn’t Make You A Better Artist. Here’s What Does -
The Secret to Becoming a Great Painter Is Right Under Your Nose - EP 269
Why I Do What I Do - EP 268
Future You is Waiting to Meet You - EP 267
This Is How You Take Your Power Back - EP 266
Your Art Matters. - EP 265
How To Create Meaningful Paintings - EP 264
Scarcity vs. Abundance - EP 263
If You’re a Good Enough Artist... - EP 262
Yes, You Can Create Flow On Purpose - EP 261
3 Things Artists Do When We Don’t Have Self-Confidence - EP 260
Why It Feels Like Your Art Making Always Comes Last EP-259
Knowing What You Truly Want -EP 258
Your Relationship With Your Art (and the Artist) Matters - EP 257
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast
Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time
The Art Angle
The Turn of the Screw
Frankenstein
Robservations with Rob Liefeld
The Beginner Photography Podcast