Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness

by Steve Magness
Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness cover
Good Books rating 4.12
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Waterstones
Hardback • £20.00
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  • ID: 3217
  • Added: 2025-10-17
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
profound 4.50

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a profound exploration of creativity and the obstacles that hinder it. The book's wisdom is articulated in a way that resonates deeply, making the obvious truths about resistance and self-sabotage clear and impactful.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a book that delves into the heart of creativity and the battles we face in pursuing our creative endeavors. The author's personal experiences and deep wisdom shine through, making the book a powerful read. The concept of resistance is central to the book, and Pressfield's articulation of this enemy is both relatable and eye-opening. The book is divided into three parts, each offering practical insights and motivational advice for overcoming the internal and external barriers that prevent us from achieving our creative goals. The reviewer found the book to be a transformative read, highlighting the importance of recognizing and confronting resistance in our lives. The book's impact is such that it can change the way we approach our creative pursuits, making it a must-read for anyone looking to unlock their creative potential.

Quick quotes

    I looked everywhere for the enemy and failed to see it right in front of my face.

    It’s not the writing part that’s hard. What’s hard is sitting down to write.

    Most people believe they are fighting deadlines, depression, disease, and demons…well, maybe they are partially right. For Pressfield, the devil has a name, and it is RESISTANCE.

barnesandnoble.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 4.50

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a timeless guide for artists and creatives, focusing on overcoming internal resistance to achieve goals. The book is divided into three parts, each offering insights and strategies to combat procrastination, self-doubt, and other forms of resistance. The reviewer found the first two parts more accessible and practical, while the third part delves into deeper philosophical concepts.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a book that has stood the test of time, offering valuable insights for artists and creatives. The reviewer was introduced to this book recently and found it incredibly relevant, despite being published 20 years ago. The book is divided into three parts: Resistance, Combating Resistance, and Beyond Resistance. The first part defines resistance as an internal force that prevents us from achieving our goals, often manifesting as procrastination and self-doubt. The second part provides strategies to combat this resistance, emphasizing the importance of turning professional and treating creativity as a job. The third part delves into the deeper philosophical aspects of creativity, discussing the role of muses and angels in the creative process. The reviewer found the first two parts more accessible and practical, while the third part was a bit more challenging but still insightful. Overall, the book is highly recommended for anyone looking to overcome creative blocks and achieve their goals.

Quick quotes

    Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt. We experience it as an energy field radiating from a work-in-potential. It’s a repelling force. It’s negative. Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work.

    Why does Resistance yield to our turning pro? Because Resistance is a bully. Resistance has no strength of its own; its power derives entirely from our fear of it. A bully will back down before the runtiest twerp who stands his ground.

    This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.

thebookbird.com.au · Unknown · 2025-10-21
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found 'The War of Art' underwhelming due to high expectations and familiarity with similar concepts from Julia Cameron's works. However, they appreciated the book's insights on resistance and its impact on creative work, finding it resonated with them in later weeks.

The reviewer had high hopes for 'The War of Art,' expecting it to significantly impact their creative pursuits. However, they found the book underwhelming as they had encountered similar ideas in Julia Cameron's works. Despite this, they admired the author's tenacity in labeling creative obstacles as 'resistance' and found the book's insights on resistance resonated with them in the weeks following their reading. The reviewer noted that the book's message about overcoming resistance in creative work was valuable, even if it didn't meet their initial expectations.

Quick quotes

    RESISTANCE AND SELF-DRAMATIZATION Creating soap opera in our lives is a symptom of Resistance. Why put in years of work designing a new software interface when you can get just as much attention by bringing home a boyfriend with a prison record?

    RESISTANCE AND PROCRASTINATION Procrastination is the most common manifestation of Resistance because it’s the easiest to rationalize.

    RESISTANCE AND SELF-DOUBT Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as San indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it.

nextbigideaclub.com · Unknown · 2022-07-29
insightful 4.50

Do Hard Things challenges the conventional understanding of resilience, arguing that it is an internal struggle rather than an external one. The book emphasizes the importance of discipline and professionalism in overcoming resistance to creativity, while also advocating for a balanced approach that acknowledges the realities of modern life. The author's insights are both practical and thought-provoking, making it a valuable read for anyone seeking to build resilience and achieve their goals.

Do Hard Things offers a fresh perspective on resilience, suggesting that it is not about enduring external hardships but about confronting and overcoming internal resistance. The book's central concept is that resistance is an internal force that prevents us from pursuing our creative and professional goals. The author argues that by recognizing and addressing this resistance, we can unlock our true potential and achieve greater success. The book also emphasizes the importance of discipline and professionalism in overcoming resistance, advocating for a consistent and committed approach to our work. However, the author also acknowledges the need for flexibility and self-compassion, recognizing that life's demands and responsibilities can sometimes make it difficult to maintain a rigid writing schedule. This balanced approach makes the book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to build resilience and achieve their goals, while also acknowledging the realities of modern life. The author's insights are both practical and thought-provoking, making it a valuable read for anyone seeking to build resilience and achieve their goals.

Quick quotes

    Resistance is internal. It’s not the laundry list of external obstacles we often cite as the forces that keep us from writing. Those are excuses — they’re the external manifestation, if you will, of the real enemy, which is…us.

    The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.

    We are so much more than any one thing we do, and it’s easy to forget that. Pressfield’s reminder is, to me, liberating. “The professional loves her work. She is invested in it wholeheartedly. But she does not forget that the work is not her.

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