We're all going to navigate a great deal throughout our careers, and it can be really hard to know whether you’re on the right track or doing the right things.

Nobody is going to have a surefire guide that will guarantee you're gonna succeed, but there are certain principles that can make your road a lot less turbulent and potentially a lot more fruitful.

This is why I laid out the 10 Career Commandments, not because I've had it figured out from day one, not because I have the perfect career. This actually came from a slide or a presentation that I gave in New Orleans. I was asked, "Hey, what advice do you have for young coaches or old coaches alike in your career? Hell, what do you have for people in general in their career?"

What I wanted to come up with was 10 timeless truths: things that aren't mind-blowing, but I think are critical if you want to maintain great relationships, avoid getting lost in the weeds, and not start letting different things distract you. I wanted to give it to you in this snappy, quick episode that I think will provide value for years to come.

This is that list.

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Many of us have had moments where we feel like we should want more, when really we want something simple and straightforward. It creates a kind of cognitive dissonance. We want to make an impact. We want to do something people remember us for. And at the same time, the idea of a steady paycheck and not a lot to worry about sounds really nice.

We don't want to lose sleep staring at the fan all night, wondering if we're going to be able to pay the bills, wondering if we're ever going to get out of debt. But we keep wrestling with the other side of us — the one that says you have to make a bigger difference, you can't leave anything on the table, you only get one shot at this.

This episode is a case study that unpacks exactly that. We get into an individual who was wrestling with himself, stuck in a shame loop he felt like he was never going to get out of. You're going to love this one.

For more on this:

Pick up more on the ideas behind this episode at theantiheroadvantage.com. For other resources, or for one-to-one mentoring on how to work through the things you feel are holding you back, go to artofcoaching.com/mentoring or email us at info@artofcoaching.com.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

-How to understand if it's shame, overthinking, or fear that's holding you back

-Why wanting security can sometimes feel like you're failing

-How to stop chasing what seems like the perfect option and find one you can actually live with

-The questions to ask yourself to see if you're playing it safe for the wrong reasons

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Steven Pressfield is the bestselling author of titles such as Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and The Legend of Bagger Vance. He's also written numerous nonfiction books, such as The War of Art and Turning Pro. Collectively, his books have sold millions of copies and been translated into countless languages; Gates of Fire, in particular, is required reading at West Point and Annapolis and has been on the U.S. Marine Corps Commandant's Reading List for all ranks since 2002.

But what I love about him is that he's incredibly open. He wrote for 27 years before he got his first novel published, and during that time, he worked 21 different jobs in 11 states. He taught school, drove tractor-trailers, worked in advertising and as a screenwriter in Hollywood, worked on offshore oil rigs, picked fruit as a migrant worker — you name it.

His newest book is a novel called The Arcadian, and that's what we're getting into today. We're discussing the genesis of the book and how it maps onto many of the personal struggles we all overcome in our day-to-day lives, both as leaders and individuals. We also touch on a few topics that he's never really been asked before, as it pertains to his writing and why he can sometimes bounce in and out of writing both fiction and non-fiction.

Regardless of your profession, you'll find something relatable here. He has a wonderful perspective and is a tremendous writer.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

-Why fiction can be more effective at exploring deeper human truths than nonfiction when it comes to psychology, conflict, and motivation.

-How great stories are effective because they keep the reader moving by planting breadcrumbs, small hints, and bits of information along the way.

-How to improve your writing by honing your voice, finding the right voice for the project, and using a clear structure with recurring symbols and threads.

-The things that still keep Steven curious and learning including the creative process, the Muse, and the idea that stories come from another dimension.

-How he balances research with storytelling by grounding the reader in real details while still keeping the ideas organized and understandable

Follow Steven:

https://www.instagram.com/steven_pressfield/?hl=en

https://stevenpressfield.com/

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Website: ArtofCoaching.com

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