Why The War of Art Should Be Required Reading for Every Artist and Business Owner

The Hidden Enemy of Creativity

If you’ve ever sat down to create—whether that means writing a book, painting a canvas, building a business, or even starting a new health routine—then you’ve already met the enemy that Steven Pressfield names in his groundbreaking book The War of Art: ]

Resistance.

Resistance is the invisible force that convinces us to put things off, to doubt ourselves, to wait until tomorrow. It’s the voice that says you’re not ready, you’re not good enough, you’ll fail anyway. Freud called it the “Death Wish,” that destructive pull within human nature. Pressfield reframes it as the enemy of every creator and every entrepreneur.

And here’s the truth: if you are an artist or a business owner and you haven’t read this book, you’re missing out on one of the sharpest weapons against your own self-sabotage.

Resistance Wears Many Masks

Pressfield describes Resistance as a master of disguise. It looks like procrastination, perfectionism, distraction, or even overplanning. It whispers excuses that feel logical:

• “I’ll start after I buy the right tools.”
  

• “I just need more time to research.”
  

• “I’ll wait until the kids are older, or the market shifts, or things calm down.”
  

But underneath these excuses lies fear. The more fear we feel toward a project, the more important that project is to our growth. Resistance only rises when something truly matters.

For business owners, Resistance might show up as endlessly tweaking your website instead of making sales calls. For artists, it might look like dreaming of your masterpiece but never putting pen to paper. Either way, it’s the same enemy—and it thrives on inaction.

Turning Pro: The Antidote to Resistance

The brilliance of The War of Art lies not only in naming Resistance but in teaching us how to defeat it. Pressfield makes a bold call: stop thinking like an amateur and start acting like a professional.

The professional doesn’t wait for inspiration. They show up every day. They work through fear, failure, and fatigue. They accept that mastery is built through preparation, patience, and persistence.

As Pressfield puts it:

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

That’s the professional mindset. You don’t wait for perfect conditions. You build momentum by doing the work.

Why The War of Art Matters Now More Than Ever

In today’s world of constant distraction—social media notifications, breaking news cycles, economic uncertainty—it’s easier than ever to fall victim to Resistance. Artists stop creating. Entrepreneurs stall their businesses. Dreams gather dust in the attic, like that treadmill no one ever used.

But as Pressfield reminds us:The more Resistance you feel, the more important the work is to your soul.

That business idea you’ve been avoiding? That book you’ve been “meaning to write”? That painting you’ve been sketching in your head for years? The fear you feel is proof that the work matters.

This book is a wake-up call, especially for business owners and creatives who want to stop circling their dreams and finally live them.

Lessons for Artists and Entrepreneurs

Pressfield’s code of the professional offers a roadmap anyone can apply:

• Show up every day. Success isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about consistency.
  

• Work in the face of fear. Fear isn’t a stop sign; it’s a compass pointing to what matters most.
  

• Commit for the long haul. Building art, businesses, or legacies takes years, not weeks .

• Detach from outcomes. Do the work for the sake of the work. Recognition, applause, and money are by-products, not the point.
  

This mindset doesn’t just help you finish a painting or launch a startup—it changes how you live. It fosters self-mastery, discipline, and freedom.

Final Thoughts

The War of Art isn’t a book you simply read. It’s a book you wrestle with. It names the inner enemy that holds us all back and offers a battle plan for overcoming it.

Whether you’re an artist staring at a blank canvas, a business owner stalling on a bold idea, or simply someone who knows you’re capable of more than you’re currently doing—this book is your mirror, your mentor, and your marching orders.

Resistance will never disappear. But once you understand it, you no longer have to bow to it.