Fighting the War of Art

One of the books that I reread often is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

It’s funny because I kept coming across references to the book before I read it.

I just wanted to read it. I didn’t want to buy it. So I kept looking for it at the library.

But my library didn’t have it.

And then it would get mentioned again in another book and I’d check the library again.

Still not there.

Eventually, I bought the book. I figured that it got mentioned enough that it was worth owning.

It’s a small book and an easy read.

But it gives a name to that force the tries to prevent us from reaching our goals: Resistance.

Resistance appears when you decide to go on a diet. When you decide to write a play. Or learn a musical instrument.

It’s the siren call of the TV when you’re supposed to be writing.

It’s the chocolate bar beckoning you to eat it when you’re watching what you eat.

It’s the warm bed when you’re supposed to go out on an early morning run.

Resistance comes in many forms. It’s sneaky and relentless.

And when you think you’ve got it beaten, it changes form.

The work of the artist is the constant battle against Resistance. Anyone who is trying to create something or make a change of some sort is an artist.

The fight against Resistance doesn’t get easier. But I found having a name for it allowed me to understand it more. When it has a name it can be understood.

When I succumb to procrastination, I try not to beat myself up too much. I concede that Resistance won that round.

Then I dust myself off and hope that I get the upper hand the next time.

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