Do the Work

Short ... simple ... amusing and to the point ... it's a very good listen for those who need to start writing or begin with any project ... funny at times ... but inspiring always ... worth your time and money

"Do the Work" was well worth my time and money. Though Pressfield is a book and movie writer many of his personal apt personal examples of finishing an idea, book, script, etc are applicable to just about anyone taking on any big challenge. I am a PhD student, nearing the finish line and just hit my 'wall', struggeling to get past some difficult courses, and this book was a heavens send. Again, many take-a-ways especially for any writer but valueable for anyone else who is jumping out on faith and following a dream or idea.

Definitely recommended for anybody doing any type of creative work.

The straightforward talk about resistance to getting work done.

I like his frank, nearly choppy, style.

Yes!

This book echos in my head!

It is one of the better audio books I have listened to.

There are many memorable moments that I could detail, but that would take too long.

One of my favorite parts was when he talked about the routine of creativity.

A little bit more than one hour, with lots of contents. I liked it! I would have given it 5 stars if it was longer.

I enjoyed the author's no-nonsense tone as well as the fact that he narrated it himself. It was a short, concise listen which was energizing, motivating and humorous too.

The discussion around the concept of "shipping" -- meaning getting the finished product off one's "desk" and out into the world.

There were not many characters in the book, while a few external people were referenced, Mr. Pressfield's book was more of a how-to written from his perspective.

Many of the tenets of his philosophy are indelible and I have already passed them on to friends and find myself referring to them often. This book is like having an artistic cheerleader / coach in your pocket, kicking you to push you toward success and fearlessness.

A must for anyone taking an idea from scratch to fruition and success.

Pressfield tells it like it is. There are no platitudes, no conjecture, no guessing. He opens the box and shows you how to sort it out logically and with discipline.

The book uncovers a logical equation for avoidance, delay, procrastination, and all of the other roadblocks to "getting things done." He also provides a simple mapping solution to keeping on track.

His personal voice is unique and uncoated. While he has the presence of a intellectual and authority on a number of subjects, it feels like he is that uncle Steve that will give you a no-s--t-because-I've-been-there point of view.

Yes. I listened to it twice in the same day.

I read a lot of books and someone highly recommended this but I didn't find a lot of content and wouldn't read or listen to it again. It is really short, so it doesn't waste a lot of your time.

To the point

This is a no BS approach to staying in the game, to living your life. Steven's voice is awesome and inspiring

I could taste the passion. His performance was brilliant!

Everything. I've listened to the book 3x in a row and I'm quoting from it to my friends.

Read Pressfield's 'The War of Art' first; this book is a good follow-up to that.

'The War of Art' delineates the enemy of creative work as internal Resistance; it defines Resistance's various incarnations (procrastinating, creating drama, keeping busy with less-important tasks, etc.), and points the way toward defeating Resistance by "turning pro".

'Do the Work' moves on from there to give more detailed instructions and advice on how to overcome Resistance. This includes the counterintuitive admonition to:

"Stay stupid": Ignorance & arrogance are the artist’s & entrepreneur’s indispensible allies. Be clueless enough not to know how difficult the project will be, & cocky enough to believe you can pull it off anyway.

"Begin before you're ready". Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it now.

Don’t over-think, over-prepare, or let research become resistance.

Begin at the finish: Figure out where you want to go, then work backwards from there.


This book has many other gems, such as the Seven Principles of Resistance, the Two Tests of Resistance, the inevitability of the Big Crash (the 'wall' you'll hit when everything seems to be going well) and the two axioms to keep in mind while working through it.

Will 'Do the Work' revolutionize your life or your creative work? Maybe not. But it's great inspiration and a new way of looking at the problem of making art, and for that it's definitely worth it.