Writer Steven Pressfield says that we all have capital-R Resistance to our life's work, in the form of procrastination, distraction and self-medication, among other productivity-killers. His book, The War of Art, breaks down the nature of Resistance and how to get over it. I picked up a copy at the recommendation of Merlin Mann and David Allen, and it's indeed a fast, worthy read that's essentially a big kick in the pants for creatives.
After the jump, check out a brief excerpt which discusses fear as a barometer for what it is you should be working on right now.
The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.
Resistance is experienced as fear; the degree of fear equates to the strength of Resistance. Therefore, the more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that that enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul. That's why we feel so much Resistance. If it meant nothing to us, there'd be no Resistance. [...]
The professional tackles the project that will make him stretch. He takes on the assignment that will bear him into uncharted waters, compel him to explore unconscious parts of himself.
Is he scared? Hell, yes. He's petrified. [...]
So if you're paralyzed with fear, it's a good sign. It shows you what you have to do.