The War Of Art

February 20th, 2008 admin Posted in Productivity |

“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”- Steven Pressfield

I am sure you know the feeling. The feeling of satisfaction after a productive day. After a full day spent creating. That feeling of knowing you showed up and answered the muse and did your job as an artist. Do you know that feeling? Do you experience it often? I don’t experience it nearly enough. You will often hear me say that “life gets in the way.”

But why is that? I like to create. I like when my camera is in my hand or the brush is being dipped in fresh paint. I have more ideas than days in my life, even if I live to be 200. Being productive in the studio makes me truly happy. Seems like it would be easy. But it is not easy is it? Why? Because of Resistance, with a capitol R. That is what Steven Pressfield argues in the War of Art. (Warner Book 2003)

The War of Art is 165 page manual full of strategies for identifying and overcoming resistance in your creative life. I’ve read a lot of books on productivity, most in relation to business, this is by far the best one I have read for helping an artist be productive.

The book is divided into three books. Book one defines the enemy and is quite an eye opener. The author points out, “Resistance kicked my ass from East Coast to West and back again thirteen times and I never even knew it existed.” Resistance is in your life, it is everywhere. Inside you, outside you, everywhere. The first step to fighting it is identifying it.

And it can be fought, that is what book two of the War of Art tackles. To fight and beat Resistance the artist must become a professional. (in contrast to the amateur.) Somerset Maugham was asked if he wrote on a schedule or when inspiration struck. “I write only when inspiration strikes,” he replied, “Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” That my friend is a professional.

The final part of the book deals with moving beyond Resistance. The author firmly puts his boot on your boat and pushes you away. Away to sail newly discovered seas as an artist who has overcome Resistance and is ready to live the unlived life within us. Moving away from Resistance and closer to the Muse.

This book is easy to recommend. It is small and paperback and can be found for under $10. It is full of practical advice and inspiration. Well worth the read.