Steven Pressfield's 'War of Art' (Not The Art of War!)

Introduction

"The War of Art" is a book written by Steven Pressfield. The book is about creativity and the challenges that people face when trying to do creative work. Steven Pressfield explains that there is something he calls "Resistance," which stops us from doing the work we need to do. Whether it’s writing, painting, starting a business, or any other creative activity, Resistance tries to stop us from being successful. The book teaches us how to fight against Resistance and do the work we need to do.

What Is Resistance?

Resistance is the main idea in "The War of Art." Steven Pressfield describes Resistance as a force that stops us from doing our best work. Resistance can come in many forms, like fear, doubt, procrastination (putting things off), and distractions. It’s that feeling we get when we know we should be working, but we find excuses not to.

Resistance is very powerful, and it can keep us from achieving our goals. The book teaches us that everyone faces Resistance, but successful people learn how to fight it and keep going.

Understanding the Enemy

Steven Pressfield explains that the first step to overcoming Resistance is to understand it. We need to recognize when Resistance is trying to stop us. For example, if we feel afraid to start a new project or if we keep putting off our work, that’s Resistance at work.

The book teaches us to be aware of these feelings and to understand that they are normal. Everyone feels Resistance, but we can learn to push through it.

Overcoming Fear

One of the biggest forms of Resistance is fear. Fear can stop us from starting a new project, trying something new, or sharing our work with others. We might be afraid of failure, of what others will think, or of not being good enough.

"The War of Art" teaches us that fear is a natural part of the creative process. The key is not to let fear stop us. Instead, we should face our fears and keep working. Steven Pressfield says that when we push through fear, we become stronger and better at what we do.

The Importance of Work

Another important idea in the book is the value of work. Steven Pressfield explains that the best way to fight Resistance is to do the work. This means sitting down every day and doing what needs to be done, whether it’s writing, painting, or any other creative activity.

The book teaches us that we need to be disciplined and consistent in our work. Even when we don’t feel like working, we should still do it. By making work a habit, we can overcome Resistance and make progress on our goals.

Becoming a Professional

In "The War of Art," Steven Pressfield talks about the difference between an amateur and a professional. An amateur works only when they feel like it or when it’s easy. A professional, on the other hand, works every day, no matter what. They take their work seriously and make it a priority.

The book encourages us to adopt a professional mindset. This means being committed to our work, showing up every day, and doing our best, even when it’s difficult. By thinking like a professional, we can overcome Resistance and achieve our goals.

Staying Focused

Focus is another important concept in the book. Steven Pressfield explains that distractions are a form of Resistance. When we let ourselves get distracted, we lose focus on our work and don’t make progress.

"The War of Art" teaches us to stay focused on our goals and to avoid distractions. This might mean turning off our phones, finding a quiet place to work, or setting aside time each day to focus on our creative projects. By staying focused, we can get more done and overcome Resistance.

Accepting Challenges

Steven Pressfield also talks about the importance of accepting challenges. Creative work is not always easy, and we will face many obstacles along the way. The book teaches us that challenges are a natural part of the process, and we should not be discouraged by them.

Instead of avoiding challenges, we should face them head-on. By accepting challenges and working through them, we can grow and improve in our creative work.

Listening to Your Inner Voice

"The War of Art" encourages us to listen to our inner voice, which is our true self and our true desires. This inner voice tells us what we really want to do and what kind of work we are meant to create.

However, Resistance often tries to silence this inner voice by filling our minds with doubt and fear. The book teaches us to trust our inner voice and to follow it, even when it’s difficult. By listening to our inner voice, we can create work that is meaningful and true to ourselves.

Pushing Through the Hard Times

There will be times when creative work feels very hard, and we might want to give up. Steven Pressfield explains that these hard times are when Resistance is the strongest. But this is also when it’s most important to keep going.

The book teaches us that the most successful people are those who push through the hard times and don’t give up. By continuing to work, even when it’s tough, we can overcome Resistance and achieve our goals.

Finding Joy in the Work

Even though creative work can be challenging, "The War of Art" also teaches us to find joy in the work. When we are doing work that we love, it can bring us happiness and fulfillment. The book encourages us to focus on the positive aspects of our work and to enjoy the process of creating.

By finding joy in our work, we can stay motivated and keep going, even when we face Resistance.

Conclusion

"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield is a book that teaches us about the challenges of creative work and how to overcome them. The main idea in the book is Resistance, which is the force that stops us from doing our best work. Resistance can take many forms, like fear, doubt, and distractions, but the key to success is to recognize it and fight against it.

The book encourages us to work every day, stay focused, and adopt a professional mindset. It teaches us to face our fears, accept challenges, and listen to our inner voice. By doing these things, we can overcome Resistance and achieve our creative goals.

"The War of Art" reminds us that creative work is not always easy, but it is worth it. By pushing through the hard times and finding joy in the work, we can create something meaningful and true to ourselves.