Breaking Through Creative Resistance – A Creative Jason Book Review
"THIS (AUDIO) BOOK IS CALLING ME OUT!!!" I shouted—both internally and on social media—the moment I finished Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles.
How impactful was its message? I’ve listened to it nearly half a dozen times (and counting), and I highly recommend it to any inspiration-hungry creative seeking to embrace their calling. Pressfield masterfully identifies the daily battles we face against Resistance—that unseen, relentless force that keeps us from stepping into our creative power. More importantly, he provides strategies to overcome it.
Unpacking Resistance: The Real Enemy
Most of my biggest takeaways came from Part I: Resistance – Defining the Enemy. One of the opening sections, The Unlived Life, immediately pulled me in. Pressfield shares the story of a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer, given just six months to live. With nothing left to lose, she quits her job and finally pursues her lifelong dream of writing Tex-Mex songs—something she had set aside for decades. To her friends, it seems crazy. To her, it’s the happiest she’s ever been. And then, something unexpected happens: her cancer goes into remission.
Pressfield asks:
“Is that what it takes? Do we have to stare death in the face to make us stand up and confront Resistance? Does Resistance have to cripple and disfigure our lives before we wake up to its existence?”
Resistance is real, and it operates with an entire marketing campaign of distractions. It lurks in the shadows, disguised as procrastination, fear, self-doubt, consumerism, drama—you name it. As I typed this review, Resistance itself made an appearance, tempting me to scroll, to delay, to question if this write-up was even worth the effort.
Pressfield makes it clear: Resistance is the enemy. And the greater the Resistance, the more certain we can be that we must push forward. “The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
Where the Message Fades
If I had one critique, it would be that the later sections of the book—those focused on Resistance-fighting strategies and creative transcendence—didn’t resonate with me as strongly as the first part. Not because they lack value, but because I feel like I’m still in the trenches. The raw battle against Resistance is where I am right now, and that’s what spoke to me the loudest.
That said, this isn’t necessarily a flaw; it just means I’ll need to return to those chapters when I reach that next phase of my journey. Books like this grow with you, offering new insights depending on where you are creatively.
Final Thoughts: An Essential for Creatives
Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art is a must-read (or listen) for any creative looking to break through their internal roadblocks. It challenges, inspires, and reminds us that anything worth doing requires discipline, commitment, and the willingness to face our internal battles head-on.
Some may find Pressfield’s spiritually driven approach too abstract, but for me, it resonated deeply. Creativity demands sacrifice. And books like this—ones that speak truth to our struggles—are creative battle planners I’ll be carrying into every written adventure ahead.
If you’re a creative struggling with Resistance (and let’s be real, who isn’t?), I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s available on Amazon and other major retailers.
Looking to break through your own creative roadblocks? Let’s collaborate on something powerful. Whether it’s storytelling, content creation, or brand messaging, I can help you cut through Resistance and bring your ideas to life.
📩 Reach out today, and let’s make something great together.
