(Book) War of Art - Summary

Quick summary of The War of Art.

I found the book to be oddly inspirational and motivating. Although I never thought of my profession as art, it helped me develop some new habits I'd like to start implementing in my daily life. I think the author does a great job of instilling a sense of urgency when it comes to following your dreams. He also does a great job putting what into words what inspiration is, where it comes from and how to keep it flowing.

super short summary

you might have a calling (writing, entrepreneur, art), give it to the world
resistance stops a calling with these; habit, sex, trouble, drama, drugs, victimhood, perceived sacrifice, boredom, fundamentalist religion, criticizing, fear, over ambition, fear of isolation, seeking support (you don’t need it or want it), rationalization
overcome resistance and let the muses in by treating your art like a 9 to 5 professional
a pro is: patient, eliminates clutter, demystifies, faces fear, no excuses (because no other options), works regardless, prepared for challenges, rarely shows off, dedicates himself to mastering technique, asks for help, doesn’t identify with the instrument, accepts failure, endures, self validates (not critics), knows limits, adapts, separates from his art and treats it like a business, overcomes resistance with persistence, doesn’t dream of being pro, is pro

short summary

when people realize they’re terminally ill, they radically change and live their true life, sometimes this heals them
do you have a calling (delayed gratification for long-term growth) you can’t bring yourself to? a business, a project, music
creative work is not selfish, it’s a gift to the world; what about the person who could have cured cancer but thought realistically, and missed the opportunity 
resistance stops a calling with these; habit, sex, trouble, drama, drugs, victimhood, perceived sacrifice, boredom, fundamentalist religion, criticizing, fear, over ambition, fear of isolation, seeking support (you don’t need it or want it), rationalization
overcome resistance and let the muses in by treating your art like a 9 to 5 professional
a pro is: patient, eliminates clutter, demystifies, faces fear, no excuses (because no other options), works regardless, prepared for challenges, rarely shows off, dedicates himself to mastering technique, asks for help, doesn’t identify with the instrument, accepts failure, endures, self validates (not critics), knows limits, adapts, separates from his art and treats it like a business, overcomes resistance with persistence, doesn’t dream of being pro, is pro
everybody can hear the muses, but only daily practice makes it easier to hear, we don’t create ideas, muses give them to us

summary of that summary

writing isn’t hard sitting down to write is hard
most of us don’t do our calling because of “Resistance”
a calling is: delayed gratification for long-term growth
fitness, bad habits, new venture, relationships, art
Resistance is invisible, internal, insidious, fueled by fear,harder at the end
Resistance becomes habit: sex, trouble, drama, drugs, victimhood, perceived sacrifice, boredom, fundamentalist religion, criticizing, fear, over ambition, fear of isolation, seeking support, rationalization
resistance makes amature, true professionals think of their calling as a 9 to 5, they approach their art like a day at the office
the pro works for money, but does it out of love
a pro is: patient, eliminates clutter, demystifies, faces fear, no excuses (beacause have no other options), works regardless, prepared for challenges, rarely shows off, dedicates himself to mastering technique, asks for help, doesn’t identify with the instrument, accepts failure, endures, self validates (not critics), knows limits, adapts, separates from his art and treats it like a business, overcomes resistance with persistence, doesn’t dream of being pro, is pro
put your time in and the muses will show, they speak to everyone but only practice improves your listening
when people realize they’re terminally ill, they radically change and live their true life, sometimes this heals them
the ego is the realist/materialist; the self is we are all under god, love, life is illusion
the ego uses Resistance to get its way
life on earth adhers to hieracrchy, the arts must learn to live outside that validation
don’t think you know what the audience wants, only make what you love
artists are like monthers, vehicles of creation not originatiors, muses give ideas
if you were the last person on earth, would you still do it?
creative work is not selfish, it’s a gift to the world; what about the person who could have cured cancer but thought realistically, and missed the opportunity