Willpower is a beneficial trait when you’re doing creative work. It helps you stick with it so you finish what you’ve started. Willpower also helps you resist the things that pull you away from the project and derail your efforts.

If you’re training for a marathon, willpower keeps you from skipping a day. It also keeps you from picking up a pack of cigarettes or downing a box of donuts.

When you’ve got an idea you want to bring to life, it’s common to feel two opposing forces pulling at you. One is trying to draw you in, get to work, and start creating. The other wants to pull you away, convince you to quit, or keep you from even starting.

That second force is what writer Steven Pressfield calls “The Resistance“. In his classic book, The War of Art, Pressfield explains that Resistance is the voice in your head telling you that you suck. It’s imposter syndrome. It’s the ego trying to keep you from self actualization.

Resistance also comes in the form of distractions. Do the dishes first. Watch one more episode. Hit the snooze button. Or it could be vices and bad habits. Have a drink. Take a puff. Down another box of donuts.

To win the war with Resistance, you need the willpower to resist. You have to ignore that voice in your head, say no to the distractions, and start creating.

The good news is, you can build willpower. The bad news is, as far as I can tell, there are no shortcuts or life hacks to help you out. Sure, you’ll find articles with the same old advice: Get sleep. Eat healthy. Set goals. Manage your expectations. Stick to a schedule. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Anyone who’s fought Resistance and lost (and who hasn’t?) knows this force is way too devious for all of that. The only way to build willpower is to keep resisting. The same way that resistance training increases muscle strength, resisting what keeps you from the work builds creative willpower and makes you stronger.

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”

Steven Pressfield, Author, The War of Art

It’s that simple. But simple doesn’t mean easy. Did you get your reps in today?