The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

by Steven Pressfield

Number of pages: 190

Publisher: AMACOM

BBB Library: Creativity and Innovation, Psychology and Strengths

ISBN: 9781936891023



About the Author

Steven Pressfield has been a U.S. Marine, an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout, attendant in a mental hospital and screenwriter. His struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in The War of Art, Turning Pro and The Authentic Swing.

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Editorial Review

What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece? The War of Art identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success.

Book Reviews

" The War of Art is useful and informative and can be read pretty quickly by someone interested in creative resistance and how to overcome it. " - The Simple Dollar

"After finishing the book, I had a very productive work day and found myself cheering victory over the Resistance." - Return Customer

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Wisdom to Share

Creative work is not a selfish act or 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.

Most of us define ourselves hierarchically and don't even know it

Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.

We don't just put off our lives today; we put them off till our deathbed.

The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit.

Procrastination, trouble, self-medication, victimhood, unhappiness, self-doubt, and fear are all indicative of Resistance.

Resistance obstructs movement only from a lower sphere to a higher.

Resistance by definition is self-sabotage.

Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.

Resistance seems to come from outside ourselves.

Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty and disease.

Don’t expect that giftedness can be developed without problems; it often requires a great deal of parental time, devotion, and effort.

Praise and encourage your child for trying to be outstanding in a special area, for succeeding, and for risking failure and sometimes experiencing it.

Permit your child to develop his potentials, and allow choices as to how (and how much) those will be nurtured.