A must-read for your health and wellness journey.
What does a book about breaking through creative blocks have to do with cultivating healthy habits? As it turns out, quite a lot.
Although this book is well-known and loved among artists and entrepreneurs, the ideas, insights and strategies Steven Pressfield shares in The War of Art will benefit anyone who is striving to improve their health, as well. You can probably identify with this scenario…you decide to start exercising (or eating healthfully, meditating, whatever it may be) and on day three your brain produces 15,000 reasons why you can’t do it today. Of course, tomorrow will be different. Before you know it, three weeks have passed and you’re still too busy to do it today. Of course, tomorrow will be different! And on it goes.
After an artfully written forward by Robert McKee (the Story Seminar guy), Pressfield dives right in by describing his own writing routine, thereby introducing the problem…resistance.
I’m grateful that Pressfield mentions the reality of good versus evil in his prologue. By doing so he highlights a truth that isn’t universally accepted in the life and health coaching spheres. Some coaches teach and preach that all circumstances are neutral and it’s our thoughts, feelings and reactions to circumstances that determine whether they’re good or bad. I agree with Pressfield that we do indeed deal with good and evil on a daily basis, even in the seemingly “simple” choices we make each day.
My personal opinion is that it’s wise to have an underlying awareness of the good versus evil at play in our daily lives, but not to get wigged out about it. If the adage is true that “you create more of what you focus on,” then I want to focus on cultivating the life God has given me and that I’m meant to live.
Before offering his descriptions and prescriptions, Pressfield discusses the immense consequences of unrecognized and unresolved resistance in terms of “the unlived life,” the unrealized dreams or vision many people secretly have for what they’d like to accomplish and how they’d genuinely like to live.
At its core, resistance is fear.
Fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of failure and especially fear of success. This can be hard to recognize, however, because these fears masquerade as all kinds of crazy! Thankfully Pressfield uses the remainder of the book to offer tools and strategies to recognize and derail resistance before it derails you away from the life you were meant to live.
He divides the book into three sections, which he refers to as Books, each focusing on one aspect of resistance.
Book One – Resistance – Defining the Enemy
Pressfield first offers a list of many pursuits where resistance is likely to pop up. I’m glad he includes “Any diet or health regimen,” as well as “Any activity whose aim is tighter abdominals,” in the lineup.
As I read this, my previous life of attempting to “be healthy” flashed before my eyes. Such as:
- My ignorant attempt to intermittent fast as a fifth grader, (yes, I know it was messed up…another post for another day)
- Getting up at 5:30 am in 7th grade so I could do the Joanie Greggains workout before school (There might have been a boy involved in the motivation behind that.)
- Doing The Whole 30 and other anti-inflammatory eating programs in the not-so-distant past
I felt keenly what he was saying!
Pressfield then details all the ways our brains play tricks on us that are actually resistance.
- Are you constantly in some kind of trouble? It might be resistance.
- Is there always family drama that prevents anyone from accomplishing anything? Yep, that’s probably resistance too.
- Are you contemplating taking on huge project that will catapult your career to the next level? Beware of that cute guy down the hall! Falling “in love” can be a form of resistance too!
- And the list goes on.
Holy cow! No wonder Rome wasn’t built in a day. The fact that it was ever built at all, at least by mere humans, is a testament to what Pressfield talks about later in the book regarding overcoming resistance and the presence of divine inspiration. Like me, when you read this section, you will recognize your own default patterns, unless you’re one of the rare and exceptional humans who isn’t really affected by resistance or has already learned to disarm this insidious foe. If you are, please share how you do it!
Book Two – Combating Resistance – Turning Pro
In Book Two, Pressfield clearly defines the mindset and behaviors that distinguish the “amateur” from the true professional. He describes the practices and thought patterns that are necessary to habitually wage war against resistance and break free from its death grip.
If you read this book through the lens of upleveling health habits, it quickly becomes apparent that a higher degree of commitment and professionalism is necessary to sustain healthful behaviors and reap rewards long-term. Although there’s a time and place for dipping your toes in the proverbial water, if you’re serious about improving or regaining your health and wellness for the long haul, a willy-nilly or half-dipped approach often proves to be a waste of time.
What does professionalism look like? Pressfield offers several examples that primarily pertain to artists, writers and/or entrepreneurs. A few of my suggestions that apply to health and wellness are:
- Commit to do the work every day. Find what truly motivates you and keep taking steps forward, however imperfect they may seem.
- Find out what your body needs. This can save a ton of time and money by circumventing crazy eating plans, unsustainable workouts or unnecessary supplements.
- Remember to maintain a sense of humor and enjoy the process. It can actually be counterproductive to take yourself too seriously.
I was so inspired by section two that I wanted to start wrting this post before finishing the rest of the book!
Honestly, I was a little skeptical about the last section – I wasn’t sure that I’d agree with or appreciate Pressfield’s views on The Higher Realm. From a health and wellness perspective, is it necessary to tap into unseen inspiration just to make a lemon and chia seed smoothie? I don’t know.
I was curious, however, and obviously had to finish the book in order to write this post so onward I read.
Book Three – Beyond Resistance – The Higher Realm
After reading this section, I had to call B.S. on myself…at least in part!
Pressfield’s description of how divine forces influence and inspire humans to create new works of art or undertake new ventures is definitely open to interpretation, but I do know for sure there’s something to it!
As I was reading this, I recalled the story about poet, Ruth Stone, and how as a young girl she would sense a poem coming to her while working in the fields. Ruth would literally run home, knowing that if she didn’t capture it on paper quickly enough, the idea/impression/creative impulse would be lost. I think that’s the force Pressfield is talking about, or at least one manifestation of it. To some people it might be a deeply compelling vision of a better future or a more fulfilling life.
Pressfield goes on to talk about the role of angels, “invoking the muse,” and how to get beyond our conscious ego to tap into the true self where inspiration from the spiritual realm can be accessed.
I must admit, this was a little much for me.
I do agree that it’s important to be cognizant of the purest reasons to create, and that humans can pile on all kinds of “extra” in order to be liked, accepted or paid for their efforts.
It’s also worth pointing out that Pressfield’s ideas are just one point of view.
I prefer a simpler approach and choose to believe that inspiration for any creative endeavor that improves the health or wellbeing of self or others is a gift from God. I don’t need to understand it or figure it out. I can just gratefully acknowledge it and ask for continued guidance and wisdom.
One aspect of Book Three that I did find interesting was Pressfield’s explanation of territorial orientation versus hierarchical orientation. His premise is that it’s emotionally and psychologically unhealthy to operate within a hierarchical mindset, where you’re always comparing yourself to others and trying to gain or keep a position of advantage. It’s easy to agree that this mindset is not conducive to inviting inspiration or allowing it to flow through you.
He asserts that the healthier option is the concept of territory, where you operate within a field where you have knowledge, skill and enthusiasm. You may be striving to improve, but it’s because you love the “territory,” not because you’re comparing yourself to others or trying to gain advantage. The territorial mindset invites “the muse” and can open up perspectives and opportunities you hadn’t previously considered.
This idea is especially helpful here in the 21st century, where it’s possible to compare yourself to practically anyone on the planet! The territorial orientation definitely elicits more peace and joy, not to mention creativity.
It’s worth mentioning that the way Steven Pressfield uses the word resistance throughout the book is slightly different from the way most coaches have been trained to understand it. The way Pressfield uses it would be defined as fighting against an internal force, feeling or fear. In coach training, the word resistance “is defined as any behavior or attitude that indicates a lack of willingness, readiness or ability to engage in the coaching process or to embrace change.” Although there is overlap and the difference is subtle, it’s worth pointing out. Coaches are taught early on how to avoid eliciting resistance from clients. Heaven knows most people are already dealing with the type of resistance Pressfield explains, and it’s a huge step to enlist the help of a coach in the first place.
In conclusion, I definitely think The War of Art is worth reading.
It’s short, well-written, educational and entertaining. If you have the desire to create something new or get different results in your life, it will help you identify and overcome your own resistance, as well as give great ideas on how to tap into inspiration for ongoing progress and success.
If you read it, please let me know what you think and how it helps you in your own life.
XO
Melanie
P.S. If you’re inspired by this topic and want to learn how working with me can help you create new results in your life, feel free to book a no-pressure, no-obligation discovery call. I’d love to visit with you.
