By Steven Pressfield
Short Summary
“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, is one of 3 fantastic books that will give you practical guide to pursue your creative path, overcome resistance (fears) and get going with fulfilling your dream work. One of the key concept of this book is: the difference between an amateur and a Pro is how they manage their fears, how they are embrace them and keep working despite of them. Pressfield’s trilogy also include “Do the Work” and “Turning Pro”. I’d suggest you go through all of them, they are easy to read and I’m sure they will encourage you to explore the creative side of you.
Quotes that resonated with me
- “The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.”
- “The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome.“
- “Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us.”
- “The most pernicious aspect of procrastination is that it can become a habit.”
- “The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work.”
- “The professional accepts no excuses.”
- “Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.“
- “Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do.”
- “The enemy is not creativity. The enemy is Resistance.”
- “The professional is aware of fear and knows how to handle it.”
Extended Summary
THE UNLIVED LIFE
Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.
RESISTANCE IS INTERNAL
Resistance is not a peripheral opponent. Resistance arises from within. It is self-generated and self-perpetuated. Resistance is the enemy within.
RESISTANCE IS FUELED BY FEAR
Resistance has no strength of its own. Every ounce of juice it possesses comes from us. We feed it with power by our fear of it. Master that fear and we conquer Resistance.
RESISTANCE AND FUNDAMENTALISM
The paradox seems to be, as Socrates demonstrated long ago, that the truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery. While those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them.
RESISTANCE AND FEAR
Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.
RESISTANCE AND BEING A STAR
Grandiose fantasies are a symptom of Resistance. They’re the sign of an amateur. The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work.
A PROFESSIONAL ACTS IN THE FACE OF FEAR
The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome.
A PROFESSIONAL DEDICATES HIMSELF TO MASTERING TECHNIQUE
A PROFESSIONAL DOES NOT HESITATE TO ASK FOR HELP
A PROFESSIONAL DOES NOT TAKE FAILURE (OR SUCCESS) PERSONALLY
The professional gives an ear to criticism, seeking to learn and grow.
A PROFESSIONAL SELF-VALIDATES
The professional cannot allow the actions of others to define his reality.
THE MAGIC OF MAKING A START
Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it. Begin it now.”