“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
You have an idea, a creative spark you want to bring to life – whether it’s a drawing, a painting, a piece of writing, or any other creative project.
And yet, something holds you back.
Doubts creep in, your to-do list suddenly seems more important, or you simply don’t feel ready.
This invisible force is what Steven Pressfield calls Resistance – and that’s exactly what his book The War of Art is all about.
The War of Art is so valuable that I can confidently say:
If there’s one book I believe every artist, every creative, and honestly every person should read, it’s The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
So, let me introduce it to you.
About the Author Steven Pressfield
I first heard about Steven Pressfield and The War of Art on a podcast – I believe it was The Rich Roll Podcast (you’ll find the link to the episode at the end of this article).
Steven Pressfield is a screenwriter and author. Now.
Because for decades, he worked various other jobs before he finally finished writing books and achieved success.
During all those years, he kept asking himself why he wasn’t writing – and at the same time, why he couldn’t just stop trying.
The insights he gained along the way, he put down on paper for us in The War of Art.
Why this book?
Steven Pressfield is a writer, not a painter. But the principle he explores in this book is universal – the principle of inner resistance.
“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. What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance.”
from “The War of Art” bySteven Pressfield
I have read The War of Art four times now. And while I love reading, no other book has made it to my re-read list that often.
It is broken down into three parts:
Book I: Resistance - Defining the Enemy
Book II: Combating Resistance - Turning Pro
Book III: Beyond Resistance - The Higher Realm
Pressfield writes with clarity, directness, and without unnecessary fluff.
The chapters are short and get straight to the point, making it easy to pick up the book anytime and find fresh motivation in his words.
One of my favorite quotes:
„Creative work is... a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.“
by Steven Pressfield
A powerful reminder that creativity is not just about us – it’s a gift to the world.
Our ideas, our art, our expression matter and deserve space in our lives and in the lives of others.
Resistance
Pressfield shares his own struggles and the lessons he learned along the way.
For years, he gave in to his inner resistance. But in the end, he always came back to the same realization: he had to overcome it.
What makes The War of Art so impactful is that Pressfield doesn’t just describe what resistance is – he shows that we all face it.
He exposes the many faces of inner resistance, such as:
Procrastination
Self-doubt
Perfectionism
Fear of criticism
The feeling of not being good enough
These emotions don’t mean we’re not meant for creative work – quite the opposite!
They are a natural part of the process.
They are the threshold we must repeatedly cross in order to grow and evolve.
“Growth comes at the point of resistance. We have to stretch ourselves.”
by Josh Waitzkin
Excerpt from the Book
“The Unlived Life”
Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us.
Between the two stands Resistance.
Have you ever brought home a treadmill and let it gather dust in the attic?
Ever quit a diet, a course of yoga, a meditation practice?
Have you ever bailed out on a call to embark upon a spiritual practice, dedicate yourself to a humanitarian calling, commit your life to the service of others?
Have you ever wanted to be a mother, a doctor, an advocate for the weak and helpless; to run for office, crusade for the planet, campaign for world peace, or to preserve the environment?
Late at night have you experienced a vision of the person you might become, the work you could accomplish, the realized being you were meant to be?
Are you a writer who doesn´t write, a painter who doesn´t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture?
Then you know what Resistance is.”
Final Thoughts
If you ever feel like you’re alone in your doubts – you’re not.
This book reveals that resistance is universal, but it also shows that we can overcome it.
The War of Art is an encouragement to step into your creative potential and stop underestimating yourself.
From my own experience, the more you understand your inner resistance, the easier it becomes to push through it.
Or even to prevent it from showing up in the first place.
So, if you need a little motivation, if you notice that you’re standing in your own way – read this book.
And then: sit down and do your thing. The world is waiting for your gift.
Book Details
First Published: 11. Januar 2012
Publisher: Black Irish Entertainment LLC
Paperback: 190 Pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: ‎ 1936891026
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1936891023
Further Links & Resources
Website Steven Pressfield: www.stevenpressfield.com
Podcasts with Steven Pressfield:
Instagram: @steven_pressfield
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