New York Times columnist David Brooks is a writer worthy of respect, a writer to emulate. Brooks consistently sifts through a vast array of research from credible sources, combines and interprets facts to create new insight and wisdom, and then wraps that intelligence with delightful humor that engages his audience.
I highly recommend his book The Social Animal. Even more, I recommend you listen to the 42-minute presentation Brooks delivered at the Aspen Ideas Festival on modesty and how the lack of it is the source of so many of our current problems both personal and public.
Because writer’s block and writing resistance arise when our ego gets out of proportion, what Brooks says about self-esteem will give you a new way to think about your writing.
If you’re hesitant to invest 42 minutes because you’re too busy, I respectfully suggest that busy-ness is frequently a form of self-importance (at least it is for me) and those of us who are self-important are the ones who most need to consider the value of modesty. Besides, Brooks will make you laugh and make you think, and that’s always a winning combo.
You can find the Modesty Manifesto here.
Please return here to comment about the connection between modesty and writing resistance. I always enjoy learning what you think!
Bane of Your Resistance 
Thanks for sharing this video, Rosanne. It’s interesting to consider how much information our brains can take in, but how little we are consciously aware of.
I think I see a lack of modesty in my writing when I feel unwilling to change something (like a scene or dialogue) that doesn’t work for my reader. Even if I know that my readers are giving me valuable feedback and even if I (secretly) know they are right, my ego doesn’t want to consider that I could be wrong. The perfectionist in me thinks that if I wrote it, it “must” be right.
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Thanks Rachel! Boy, can I relate. You inspired my latest blog with your honest insight.
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