If you have ever tried to pursue a calling in the Arts, launch an innovative enterprise, or evolve to a higher station, you, without a doubt know what the resistance feels like. It’s the voice that tells you anything and everything to keep you from doing whatever you have to do. If you have had to deal with any of those pressures, this book is for you.
A friend from a film group sent me a soft copy of this book one evening. I did not know what to expect, but I was sold on the title,’’ The War of Art, Break through the Blocks and Win your Inner Creative Battles.’’ As soon as I started to read the first chapter, I immediately got hooked. I would go on to read the book up till the wee hours of the morning, because it was that captivating. It taught me some valuable lessons when it comes to the ‘’creative’’ field.
In ‘’The War of Art,’’ Steven Pressfield delivers a guide to inspire and support those who struggle to express their creativity. He believes that “resistance” is the greatest enemy, and offers many unique and helpful ways to overcome it.
The book is categorized in 3 main parts: Resistance, Combating Resistance and Beyond Resistance .In the first category, he defines resistance as an enemy and goes ahead to fully define this ‘enemy.’ The second half shows us how to turn into ‘Pros’ by sharing knowledge on how to combat resistance, while the third is all about reaching the higher realm that is beyond resistance.
These are some of the quotes that stood out for me
''Self doubt'' can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love,love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking you (and your friends),’’Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?’’ chances are you are.’’
‘’There’s a secret that real writers know that wannabe writers don’t, and the secret is this: It’s not the writing part that’s hard. What’s hard is sitting down to write.’’(I personally just replace ’’real writers’’ with ‘’real entrepreneurs’’,etc. to apply to business owners and creators in general).’’
‘’The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.’’
‘’The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time. That’s what I mean when I say turning pro. Resistance hates it when we turn pro.’’
‘’Creative work is not a selfish act of a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.’’
Lessons:
Do the Work: Show up every day and do the work.
Process Over Outcome: Be patient. Don’t focus on external validation or outcomes. Rely on self-validation from showing up every day and doing the work.
You’re not alone: Human endeavor is a well-trodden path, and everyone faces the Resistance.
Reviewed by Consolate Namyalo