Do The Work

I was expecting something different from Steven Pressfield's Do The Work. I had thought it was going to make more reference to recent research on resistance in getting things done, more discussion about how friends and family can be primary sources of resistance to your completing project and changing your life.

It ain't. It is much more of a cheerleading book, getting you through the natural resistance which attends all projects.

I usually avoid such things as merely irritating, but this one is actually pretty good. And for those of you with Kindle, it's free. I think that works for him because it might help sell his earlier book, The War of Art. Clever title, that. The eye-catching style was more of a distraction than a help to me. And yes, there are some irritating cliches - all those encouraging books have them. But this may be the you-can-do-it book for people who hate that sort of thing, which would be a boon to society.

Clearly, he is writing from experience of what things get in the way of one finishing projects, especially creative work. That would have value even if he were thoroughly irritating in tone, at least providing a map through the Slough of Despond.

It's cheap, even when you don't download it free.