The War of Art

by Steven Pressfield

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul. 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

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield 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. The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline. Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself. Whether an artist, writer or business person, this simple, personal, and no-nonsense book will inspire you to seize the potential of your life.

Our thoughts on The War of Art

Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art is the creatives equivalent of Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. It's an ass-kicking manifesto on “breaking through blocks and winning our inner creative battles”. It's also one of the most recommended books on this site.

Pressfield took a radically different, no-bullshit approach to writing this book. It focuses on every creatives' arch-nemesis—The Resistance—and how this enemy can stop us from achieving anything if we let it.

"Why do so many people fail in their artistic endeavours and creative projects?" Pressfield asks. The answer: "Because each of us has to defeat an incredibly strong inner enemy."

More than just a self-help book to overcome procrastination, The War of Art is a call-to-arms on professionalism, artistic integrity and drive, whatever your field may be. It's essential reading for any artist, writer, UX designer or creative professional.

"Steven Pressfield has written the most important book I've ever read on creativity and why it doesn't happen. The resistance is the most profound force in the life of the artist, the writer and the leader, and Steve has given it a name and called it out." —Seth Godin, author of This is Marketing

Our favourite quote from The War of Art

Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one 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.

23 recommendations for The War of Art

23 recommendation for The War of Art

Book Summary

Do you sense an inner calling to create or motivate others? Do you find it difficult to pursue that calling because of uncertainty, apprehension, or a lack of drive? The War of Art explains why you have trouble achieving your goals and offers solutions for how to get through the barriers. When a creative person approaches their genuine work, they encounter opposition in the form of fear. You will be successful in realizing your dreams when you comprehend where that fear originates, how it appears in your life, and how a dedication to your work can give you the strength to press forward.

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Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one 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.

— Steven Pressfield, The War of Art