The War of Art

Whether we believe it or not, we are all creative at heart. We are all capable of creating things that are unique to who we are and what we love to do. 

For some, that’s writing and telling stories. 

For others, it’s an artistic endeavor like drawing or design. 

As a business owner, it’s your unique way of looking at a problem, coming up with a solution, and being willing to work at it until it’s solved.

I recently read a great book that talks all about the battle for being creative called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. 

Now, you may be thinking:

What does a book about the battles of the creative process have to do with my company?

The main premise of the book is Pressfield’s discussion of how all our great endeavors come up against resistance. However, he refers to it as Resistance with a capital R to shape our view that it’s something more profound than simply not wanting to do the hardest work. 

Resistance is the force that we’re battling to complete the work that we innately know we are supposed to do. It is the battle we fight as we pursue those efforts that go against the instant gratification we are so accustomed to pursuing. 

Here are a few ways Pressfield describes Resistance in the book.

“It is an engine of destruction, programmed from the factory with one object only: to prevent us from doing our work.”

“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work…It will pledge anything to get a deal, then double-cross you as soon as your back is turned. If you take Resistance at its word, you deserve everything you get.”

“Procrastination is the most common manifestation of Resistance because it’s the easiest to rationalize.” 

“Anything that draws attention to ourselves through pain-free or artificial means is a manifestation of Resistance.”

Simply put, Resistance is an internal battle we fight each day as we attempt to do the work set out for us. 

As you’ve come to realize through running your business, there is a reason you are the one leading the charge and creating the enterprise that has solved problems for your clients. 

So how do we combat this Resistance? How do we continue to pursue the work that we know we must do, when it feels like there are more seemingly enjoyable or easier choices we can make?

My summation of the author’s solution to it is simple. 

Show up and do the work. 

On days when you don’t feel like it. The days when there are other things you want to do. The days when you’re not certain this has all been worth it. 

Just show up and do the work.

Pressfield calls it, ‘turning pro’.

“The pro keeps coming on. He beats Resistance at its own game by being even more resolute and even more implacable than it is.”

A pro is someone that does the work, regardless of how they feel or what they would rather do. The pro delays gratification in pursuit of true satisfaction with a job well done. 

One of my favorite quotes from the book is from the author Somerset Maugham, who had this to say when he was asked about whether he scheduled his writing or simply wrote whenever he felt inspired. 

“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately, it strikes every morning at 9 o’clock sharp.” 

-Somerset Maugham

I love how he stated that he had essentially established the time when inspiration would arrive. 

Inspiration showed up when he did. 

As you look at your business, you can probably think of multiple areas that require your attention right now, but you’ve been putting them off because they’re the more difficult things to do. 

Pressfield would say that you’re succumbing to Resistance. 

So I challenge you to find that thing you know you need to work on and simply show up to do it. Whether you’re aware that your sales process needs to be improved, but haven’t sat to look at your KPIs in months or maybe you need to define the core values of your company, take the first step, and simply show up.

And, as you lead your team, empower them to do the same. Set a clear direction for your organization and encourage them to take action each day to reach that goal. 

If you’d like to chat more about this book, or how to combat Resistance in your business, we’d love to connect!