Steven Pressfi
eld
Do Th
e Work!
68
Test Number One
“How bad do you want it?”
Th
is is Resistance’s fi
rst question. Th
e scale below will help you
answer. Mark the selection that corresponds to how you feel about your book/movie/ballet/new business/whatever.
Dabbling • Interested • Intrigued but Uncertain • Passionate • Totally Committed
If your answer is not the one on the far right, put this book down and throw it away. Test Number Two
“Why do you want it?”
- For the babes (or the dudes)
2. Th
e money
- For fame
4. Because I deserve it
5. For power - To prove my old man (or ex-spouse, mother, teacher,
coach) wrong
- To serve my vision of how life/mankind ought to be
8. For fun or beauty
9. Because I have no choice
If you checked 8 or 9, you get to stay on the island. (I know I said there was only one correct answer. But 8 and 9 are really one.)If you checked any of the fi
rst seven, you can stay, too—but you
must immediately check yourself into the Attitude Adjustment Chamber. The Attitude Adjustment Chamber Did you ever see
Cool Hand Luke
? Remember “the Box”? You
don’t get to keep anything when you enter this space. You must check at the door:
- Your ego• Your sense of entitlement• Your impatience• Your fear• Your hope• Your anger