I’m not a big re-reader.

Despite keeping almost every book I’ve ever read, I don’t really see the point to reread something whenever I have 20+ more books waiting to be opened for the first time.

But there are some exceptions.

I do find myself rereading books like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius or Atomic Habits by James Clear.

But one that really stands out to me and doesn’t even take that long to read is The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield.

Coming in at only 165 pages—with some of them only containing a few sentences—this book is practically a field guide on overcoming procrastination.

Particularly, overcoming writers block and the hesitancy to sit down and type.

Even though his book is primarily targeted to writers, his tools and strategies to overcoming procrastination can apply to everyone and everything you’re trying to do.

Actually, he doesn’t even call it procrastination. He calls it, Resistance.

Because ultimately procrastination is the resistance to doing your job. The resistance to become your best self. The resistance to do what you love.

Despite this form of self-sabotage, Resistance can be surprisingly helpful because it’s kind of like a compass. Whenever you feel some form of Resistance or procrastination toward something, it’s a sign that you’re supposed to do it.

As Steven Pressfield says, “The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.”

Because if it meant nothing to us, there’d be no Resistance.

That’s why people are so afraid and hesitant of applying for that job or starting that business. Because the voice of Resistance inside of you knows it’s good for you.

The one thing it hates most is change. Especially positive change.

At this point you’re probably wondering how do you beat it? What’s the secret?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there isn’t any.

But understand that Resistance can be beaten. It all comes down to sacrificing what feels good now for what will be better for you later.

Ultimately, you just need to think more long-term and how great it’ll be once you finish whatever it is you’re reluctant to start.

A great quote by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus gives us a good idea on how to think long-term:

In other words, think about how good it’ll feel once you’ve done your job. Not how great it’ll feel now if you were to avoid it.

Trust me, you’ll never regret doing the work once it’s finished.

And if you need proof, when was the last time you regretted working out? When was the last time you regretted going for that run?

Point proven.

So if you’re someone who struggles with procrastination, try giving this book a read. Better yet, read it every year.

And if you’re still on the fence, maybe it’s just the Resistance talking. If that’s the case, you know what to do.

Until next time,
Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I’m Currently Reading - I’m still reading Living Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, a book on how to quell heated conversations and be a master communicator.

Quote Of The Week - “Be who you are and say what you will because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” — Dr. Seuss