If any form of creating is important to you – whether products, writing, movement, thought – you likely will find value reading this book. I find it a good book to revisit as it is rather thought provoking. It kind of metaphorically hit me in the face a few times!
The first part of the book is devoted to resistance, defined as the most toxic force on the planet. Pressfield’s observations of resistance shifted my views on a few topics. For one, wine seems like it ought to relax and open creativity instead of create resistance. However, as I reflect on my own experience wine really does impede my creativity.
His observation about criticism and resistance is something to ponder. Pressfield concludes: Individuals who are realized in their own lives almost never criticize others.
Also, his thoughts about self-doubt reflecting love in the form of a dream. Interesting that he concludes the counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident! The Hack is one who tries to predict what his audience wants and create accordingly. The Hack is who many marketers would have us be.
Much of his book reminds me of George Leonard’s book Mastery. Both sharing that art of any kind is really self-mastery.
Savor this book and create!
