Why is there a pessimist inside? How do we get over obstacles in any creative effort, whether it’s creating a masterpiece, writing a novel, or launching our ideal business?
Best-selling author Steven Pressfield analyzes the opponent that each of us must defeat, lays out a strategy to defeat this inner adversary, and then determines the best way to succeed.
The War of Art successfully demonstrates how to achieve the maximum degree of creative discipline while highlighting the determination required to identify and conquer the challenges of ambition. Consider it a form of self-compassion.
Whether you’re a writer, artist, or businessperson, this straightforward, intimate, and straightforward book will motivate you to reach your full potential.
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About the Author
The War of Art, written by Steven Pressfield, has been translated into several languages and sold over a million copies worldwide. Gates of Fire is on both the Joint Chiefs’ recommended reading list and West Point’s obligatory reading list, demonstrating his mastery of historical fiction.
Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Artist’s Journey, Tides of War, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion’s Gate, The Warrior Ethos, The Authentic Swing, An American Jew, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, The Knowledge, and A Man at Arms are some of his other books.
It took him more than 30 years to write his first book, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Since then, he has continued to write. California is where Steve resides and writes. You can follow him on Instagram at @steven_pressfield. Subscribe to his writing email every week at stevenpressfield.com.
“It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior’s life.”
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Review
The War of Art is a self-help book by Steven Pressfield, published in 2002 by Black Irish Entertainment. Steven Pressfield divides the book into three distinct sections: Resistance: Defining the Enemy, Combating Resistance: Turning Pro, and Beyond Resistance: The Higher Realm. Resistance is defined as the enemy within and a “Force of nature,” which can lead to issues such as substance dependence, unhappiness, and anger.
The book aims to help readers identify and fight against resistance, which can infiltrate our lives and destroy us from within.
The second book, Combating Resistance: Turning Pro, uses terms like professional and amateur to describe the battle with resistance. Professionals are equipped with the tools to overpower their resistance and reach their potential. The book also discusses the attributes of a professional, such as patience, acting in the face of fear, and reinventing themselves.
Pressfield illustrates perseverance, focus, and strength through stories and accounts from his own life and those of others, including golfer Tiger Woods.
The third book, Beyond Resistance: The Higher Realm, aims to harness the psychic powers needed to fight resistance. He uses terms such as angels, demons, and muses, but offers the option to think of these forces as abstract and impersonal, such as gravity, instincts, or universal forces.
He also discusses the difference between the Ego and Self, stating that the Ego is where Resistance lies, while the Self is where the angles, or good forces, live.
The War of Art is an effortless read, organized like a manual, with short chapters and important titles that resonate with different points in one’s life. It is an entertaining, easy-to-read, and powerful self-help book that provides readers with the tools necessary to overcome life’s greatest obstacles, develop themselves into accomplished professionals, and become the ultimate versions of themselves.
While not everyone may like this book, it will give readers something they have been seeking. As artists, we must unlock the creative power within ourselves to overcome dilemmas and obstacles that are far from conquerable. The book will help readers identify the enemy, equip them with the tools to fight, and unlock the mystical powers that will help them live a fulfilling life.
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Summary
The book explores the concept of resistance, which is a powerful force that prevents us from doing our best work. It highlights the importance of resistance in both our lives and the unlived life within us.
We can perceive resistance as an energy field that emanates from a work-in-progress, intent on diverting our attention and impeding our ability to accomplish our tasks. It is essential for artists to be ruthless with themselves and others, serving as an example and inspiration.
The book emphasizes that we are empowered to change our lives at any moment, and the working artist will not tolerate trouble in her life because she knows it prevents her from doing her work. The more we fear a job or call, the more we must do it.
The degree of fear experienced about a specific enterprise equates to the strength of Resistance, making it more important to us and to the growth of our soul.
Indifference is the opposite of love, and the more resistance you face, the more important your unmanifested art, project, or enterprise is to you, and the more satisfaction you will feel when you finally do it. Rationalization acts as Resistance’s ally, preventing us from experiencing shame if we confront our fear of not completing our work.
In conclusion, the book highlights the importance of resistance in our lives and the power to take charge of our destiny.
Resistance is a powerful force that can prevent artists from doing their work, leading to rationalization and fear. Aspiring artists often think like amateurs, but they have not yet turned professional. We can divide the journey of an artist’s life into two parts: before turning pro and after.
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Professionals demonstrate commitment by showing up every day, staying on the job for the entire day, accepting remuneration, mastering their techniques, maintaining a sense of humor, and accepting both praise and criticism in the real world.
Professionals act in the face of fear, knowing that fear cannot be overcome and that there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or dread-free artist. They understand that resistance is fertile and ingenious and that failure or success is not personal. Professionals dedicate themselves to mastering technique, distance themselves from their instrument, and recognize their limitations.
There is no mystery to turning pro; it’s a decision brought about by an act of will. When we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen, and serendipity reinforces our purpose. We are not born with unlimited choices, and creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention. Instead, creative work is a gift to the world and every being in it.
In conclusion, resistance is a powerful force that can prevent artists from turning pro. It can lead to rationalization, rejection, self-doubt, despair, ridicule, contempt, and humiliation. Professionals are committed to their craft, recognizing their limitations, and embracing their unique qualities.
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