Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way - Do the Work

This book contains a simple blueprint for doing any creative work. It also deals with the conflicts that arise when you do the work and how you must deal with them. The quotes, and stories of famous authors and their struggles helps us to see even Melville had to struggle writing Moby DIck. This book is a gem that needs to be read by all. Everyone has an idea or creative endeavor that needs to be brought into fruition. This is the manifesto on how to do it!

For inspiration and perspective to get you over the hump: do the work that only you can do. No one else has your voice, no one else thinks your thoughts, no one else shares your perspective, no one else can speak your truth, no one else can create your creation. These things were reserved only for you... so go share them with the world in the way that only you can! Perfect and powerful messaging for anyone seeking to go and do.

Inspiring, down to earth and practical. I love this book. It's like a swift kick in the pants to get moving and to do something. Steven's writing style is a bit gritty but inspiring nonetheless and gets to the heart of the issue - do the work, keep going. A great read for anyone with writers block....or any kind of mental block for that matter.

Steven Pressfield does it again. He is a master of many different genres. The War of Art was a complete but not quite how to manual, this is quick call out of a manifesto. Well worth the time - though it doesn't take much of it - and it stays with you.

What is between you and your goals? Behind the excuses is Resistance. According to successful writer Pressfield, Resistance is an impersonal and hostile force of nature, not an intrinsic part of our personality.
He takes us through a project explaining how R will manifest. The project can be a novel, a diet, whatever it is that you are not getting done.
I enjoyed the style and brevity of the text. And next time I am mired in R, I will re-read this.

Very tight book, no excess words. Are you ready to face your dragon? That's a metaphor that describes "doing your work". My take away is that success and failure mean much less than finishing a project and shipping it to the world. Even if the work fails, you have faced and killed the dragon inside yourself who said "you can't do this" " everyone will hate this" "have another beer buddy and watch some tv"....if you fought through all of that (and more) and released some work into the world...then win lose or draw, you have grown stronger, and you will know how to slay the dragon next time.

"Do the Work" is a surprisingly helpful book on how to get started on and complete that dream project of yours. Pressfield tells his readers that "Do the Work" is "designed to coach you through a project from conception to finished product, seeing it from the point of view of Resistance." This is an excellent one-sentence summary of the book! Not only is "Do the Work" a very encouraging work: it's also a very practical and easy to read How To book. Often, books are big on cheerleading and short on practical wisdom: this book has both!

But "Do the Work" is much more than just another self-help book. Seth Godin and his Domino Project have set out to revolutionize what a book, publishing, and influence mean. "Do the Work" is the latest addition to this daring and innovative project. Though it may not seem like it to some of you, "Do the Work" by Stephen Pressfield, is actually a radical work - or, more properly, the result of a radical work: the re-definition of the book.

How does "Do the Work" manifest this revolution in publishing? For starters, this "book" was free! By now, many of us are used to books coming in the form of e-books. But the potential for e-books to transform the publishing world is already present: a book like "Do the Work," and especially the Domino Project push this revolution further and faster. While a book like "Do the Work" is relatively short, that (along with its free cost) is actually a strength, once you've learned to think of how books, publishing, and influence all work differently in the digitally connected world. I'm reading "Do the Work" largely because it's free, but I'm also reading it because it's relatively short and to the point. I'm benefiting from it because it has a lot of sound practical advice about how to start and complete the important projects in my life.

But I'm also aware that by reading "Do the Work" for free I'm volunteering to be a part of Seth Godin's "tribe." "Do the Work," therefore is about much more than just helping me learn how to start and complete projects: it's indirectly teaching me about the way that things work in the new digital world. As a teacher, priest, and writer who hopes to influence people, this aspect of the book and Project should not be ignored.

"Do the Work," in fact begins with an Forward by Seth Godin that we are all now connected to a publishing platform that can connect us to anyone, anytime and that levels the playing field. And now it's time to do the work.

Pressfield names the "enemies" of the work we wish to do, and there is power in naming:
1. Resistance (which may take the form of fear, self-doubt, procrastination, addiction, distraction, timidity, ego, self-loathing, and perfectionism).
2. Rational thought
3. Friends and family

The activities or projects that will most elicit Resistance are those that reject immediate gratification in favor of long-term growth. Pressfield has hit upon an important universal truth here. For example, Henry Hazlitt "Economics on One Easy Lesson" basically makes the same point: we hurt ourselves and other economically by acting for short-term instead of long-term gain.

Pressfield guides his reader through some of the characteristics of Resistance, because, again, there is power in naming our enemies. The paradoxical thing is that we can use Resistance because it always keeps pointing to the very thing we want to and should be doing!

Just as we have enemies, we also have Allies: stupidity, stubbornness, blind faith, passion, assistance, and friends and family. Some of these seem counterintuitive, but this is precisely why "Do the Work" is such a valuable book: it helps us to see truths that are right under our noses but which we can't accept because they are either invisible or they don't fit into or worldview.

All of the above comes from the first section of the book: ORIENTATION: ENEMIES AND ALLIES

In the remainder of the book, Pressfield attacks the specific parts of starting and completing any project: BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END. Rather than giving away the details as I have for the section on "Orientation," I'll let you discover for yourself how powerful Press field's ideas are.

I came to "Do the Work" expecting to find a fluff piece, worth the price I paid for it: free. Instead, I found something that's not only taught me about working on projects but has taught me about influence and the way things work in the new digital world. As Godin and Pressfield hoped, I find that this is a book I want to share others. And that's how things work in the new digital world.

I bought the print and audio version of this book and enjoyed both. The book contains concise, but valuable lessons. The way the author describes "Resistance" as the ultimate enemy is brilliant. My wife and son also read the book and found it helpful.

Another great work by Steve Pressfield.

Aside from being a great storyteller, Pressfield has written several exceptional books on working in the creative arena. His The War of Art is a classic book on going to war with the most terrifying enemy, the blank page or canvass. He talks a lot about the discipline of creativity How to live the life you are seeking

I totally loved Pressfield's "War of Art" ... and continue to refer to it again and again. It seems "Do the Work" is very much the same "work" ... it refers to the WoA often and in big chunks. There's not as much original material here, not so much in the way of updating or building on the original. I'm not sure what could have been written that would have built on or extended the WoA... it seemed like a complete idea and statement on it's own. Perhaps that was the challenge for the author as well, finding something new to say on a subject where he had already totally, completely "done the work."

Steven Pressfield gets the creative process - the inspiration that gets us started, the obstacles we must overcome along the way, the fear that threatens to prevent us from ever finishing. And in Do the Work, he shares his wisdom and guides us through beginning, middle, and end with powerful metaphors, straight talk, and no tolerance for quitting. If you feel compelled to realize your vision, if you want to build a new rollercoaster instead of just going along for the ride, you will be grateful to have Pressfield sitting on your shoulder as you do your work, whispering, warning, kicking, cajoling, shouting when resistance rears its ugly head, reminding you that you have a sword with which to slay the dragon, and celebrating with you when you've finally finished, before mentioning that it's time to start the next project!

Perfectly written for the topic! It's just a little more than an outline of the salient points having to do with breaking through the barriers that keep a person from their creative task, whatever it may be. It's very inspiring and at times funny.

If you have set your life goals but still wondering why things are not working out, or giving up on some objectives, this book wiil not only help you to overcome procrastination but it wiil also make you understand why you hit walls in your journey! It's because You are after something great! Change your thinking instead of quitting! Start before you are ready and keep on working!

I like quick, to the point and effective advice & I rarely write reviews. With too many books I have had to wade through pages and pages of writer ego to get to the good stuff. Not here! It is all good. I was at a place of serious resistance in my own life. After several and moderate successes, the dragon was having it's way with me. An effective plan of action here for you if you are feeling stuck. Don't question, just download and read.. You'll be glad you did!

My friend, Brandon from Beyond the Rut Podcast, quotes from this book all the time, and I feel I have a better understanding of his mindset as we collaborate on the show. Great manifesto. I look forward to reading Steven's other titles in the near future.

If you've ever wanted to do something great - write a book or screenplay, start a company, anything really - but lacked the courage to finish or even start, read this book. It's a quick read by a guy who has been where you are and beat resistance.

This was an enjoyable short read that I started reading on my coffee break at work today and then finished before I went to bed. I work in technology but have always had the notion that I could contribute something of worth to the world of writing. This book felt like a conversation with my more successful uncle who was giving me some advice on how to suck it up and just do the work everyday and stop looking for excuses on why you haven't finished.

This is a brilliant, inspiring work on the theory of creativity. It is a little abstract, but contains so many truths that you really do need to internalize if you are a creative person or hoping to complete a creative project. It is fairly short and very relevant. The metaphors are really relatable. Genius. I loved it.

Pressfield covered all the points that tend to stop me. I especially liked his chapter on"Shipping" as that appears to be the place that I stall out at the most. And maybe I'll have more compassion for the guy who keeps trying ... And hopefully I can help them find what is missing.

Without trick typesetting and VERY LARGE PRINT scattered meaninglessly over most of the pages this wouldn't have been a book, it would have been a pamphlet.
It was / is so forgettable I can't remember all the other reasons I thought it was a waste of my money. I'd recommend that you save yours. There are far better books to help you build a skill set. I would particularly recommend The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle.

A lot of examples from another time period and references I didn’t understand. I’m a millennial so perhaps that has something to do with it. Glad I finished but I feel like I only learned to just start something without expecting it to be perfect.

I've now read all of Pressfields non-fiction work and its just outstanding. In this book he continues some thoughts from previous work but the bottom line is he teaches us to focus on the end, begin with the end in mind so to speak and block the expected resistance and deliver the work you set out to do. He says it much better than me but worth the read for those who want to complete the work they start.

Intention of the book is clearly stated in its' title. It succeeds in the sense of focusing you on the goal, helping you identify and fight the obstacles and keeps you going on. What I didn't like is that it tries to be too much "meta". At moments it's metaphysical, meta-religious, etc. No, I don't mind the occasional spirituality. It's understandable. After all, the author is a fiction writer and inspiration is the key to success in the field and many other fields.
Overall, the flow of starting and key points to succeeding with your endeavor of any kind is well presented. You should read the book if your starting some change in your life.
If you're starting a business, you should read the Rework too for some concrete stuff.
Rework

This book seems like a self-help book for writers and artists. However, it turns out to be like the books from Hugh Mcleod. The book has lots of nice short quotes such as "stay primitive" and "swing for the seats". It does pique one's interest to read "War of Art".

This book addresses all of the road blocks entrepreneurs and creative people inevitably stumble onto in their quest to "Do the Work". I recommend it because it's concise and entertaining to read- and who doesn't like to be entertained while learning?

I read a lot of books, this was a recommendation. I just wasn't impressed. I listen to it on Audiobook from Audible.com and was expecting a deep book on how to work better, but instead it was a short shallow re-hash of what you should already know.

Having been wow-wow-weeed by Bagger Vance, I read Pressfield's War of Art, which is an astonishing book. How could I resist Do The Work? It is shorter but no less profound. This copy was a gift to a promising young writer who was blocked.

Steven Pressfield has lived what he talks about. "He walks the talk," the overused cliche says. But that's why what he writes is so helpful to us who aspire to a life somewhat like his. I want to create. I have something within me. He helps me take one step closer.

Pressfield, with Do the Work, puts together a collection of sagely support and raw reality for the creative fighting for survival. This book can be read numerous times. Every time sense will be made of what is present and pressing on the mind. I take this written work with me whenever I enter the fires of creation. You should too.

There is no better guide into the great unknown that is solitary creative work than Steven Pressfield.
He doesn't just talk it: he walks it. If you find yourself stuck and alone, dreaming or working on a creative project, read this book and free yourself to move through the next door to your completed work.

I have read many books about writing, but this is by far the best. Pressfield lays out the struggle with Resistance, the force against getting the work done, as he deftly mixes practical advice with cheerleading into a potent combination. This one goes next to my desk. Stuck? Disheartened? Read this one first.