Recommended: The War of Art

Let me start out by saying The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield is not just for artists. It’s for anyone who is struggling to accomplish a big (or not-so-big) goal. The back of the book describes it as being for anyone who dreams of writing the Great American Novel, regrets not finishing their paintings, poems, or screenplays, wants to start a business or charity, or start dieting and exercising today, or hopes to run a marathon some day. I don’t think that’s just marketing hyperbole. It can be applied that broadly to your circumstances.

The book is broken down into three sections, “Resistance: Defining the Enemy,” “Combating Resistance: Turning Pro,” and “Beyond Resistance: Higher Realm.” These sections are comprised of short (sometimes just a paragraph) explorations of topics such as “Resistance Is Most Powerful at the Finish Line” and “A Professional Doesn’t Hesitate to Ask for Help.”

“The War of Art” is a bit redundant, which I think is somewhat deliberate. Author Steven Pressfield is trying to combat an element which has firmly engrained itself in most of us from a young age. It shows itself in many ways (perfectionism, cynicism, procrastination, etc.) but it is probably there in you, too. If you doubt it, think about any of the goals you have had for a long time but never seem to have gotten moving on achieving, or projects which have stalled midway through – or even just when you are about to complete them. If this rings a loud bell for you, get thee to a bookstore, online or otherwise, and grab a copy. This book could literally change your life.

I admit that I have overcome a lot of resistance on an ongoing basis in order to get things done. (My writing to-do list is always long. The business tasks pile up, too.) But I am always seeking more ways to cut through my personal resistance techniques (web surfing, anyone?) in order to get more accomplished in a shorter period of time. And though this book doesn’t say anything particularly new about the topic of resistance, I found it inspiring enough and got enough tips out of it to be glad to have read it and to put it on the shelf next to my other favorites, like “Do One Thing Different,” for the next time I am struggling and need help.

Have you read it? If so, did it help you? Please share in the comments.

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Tagged as: Steven Pressfield, The War of Art