It is impossible to fight an enemy you haven’t defined. An enemy you haven’t defined is invisible, untouchable and unpredictable. Many of us are operating our businesses, living our lives, not realizing the war we are being confronted with as soon as our alarm clocks go off in the morning. 

Hence the power of the book entitled The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. He uses simple language and drags into the light our greatest enemy — Resistance. This book is a must-read for any and everyone who is trying to do anything. In the book he says we encounter Resistance when we engage in “…Any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term growth, health, or integrity. Or expressed another way, any act that derives from our higher nature instead of our lower…”

So as you can see, if it’s good for you, there will be Resistance. 

Everyone should read it for themselves but here are 3 of the most impactful takeaways from the book!

Resistance is internal

This may be the hardest truth to accept. Pressfield says, “resistance is not a peripheral opponent. Resistance arises from within. It is self-generated and self-perpetuated.” There is no denying that there are forces against us in the world. But the greatest moment of breakthrough will be when we realize the ways we are hindering our own selves. The conquering happens within and everything without must follow suit. 

Resistance Plays For Keeps

“Resistance’s goal is not to wound or disable. Resistance aims to kill.” Resistance is selfish and it is greedy. It wants everything. As such, we must be intentional about the things we desire. When we set our goals we must settle for nothing less than the absolute best. When we show up, we must show up with everything that we are, because that is exactly what Resistance wants to take from us. 

Resistance only opposes in one direction

Resistance will allow us to take steps backwards. Pressfield says, “Resistance obstructs movement only from a lower sphere to a higher.” This is why it is said, “Fear is an indicator as to what we should be doing.” That fear is Resistance manifesting, hindering us from becoming everything we are supposed to be. Fight it!

These are just scratching the surface of everything this book offers. We haven’t even discussed the ways in which we combat this foe. Go get the book, read it! When you do, or if you have already, let us know in the comments what you took away from it! We would love to hear from you!