Some artists can’t help but create, every moment of every day. Inspiration comes easily and flows from these individuals without effort. This is not me. If this is not you, you are not alone! The War of Art by Steven Pressfield offers some solutions to battling procrastination, finding inspiration, and actually getting some work done.

Let me guess. You’re an aspiring artist (painter, illustrator, writer, photographer, musician, filmmaker, etc.) with dreams of becoming established, if only you could start creating masterpieces! You’re one great idea away from making it big. You wait for inspiration to hit you before you sit down to start painting, drawing, writing, what have you.

But inspiration doesn’t come. Or you feel intimidated. Or you’re self-conscious about putting your work out there to be criticized.

Steven Pressfield points out what seems so obvious, but what is usually ignored: DO YOUR WORK. When you have a regular 9-5 job, you don’t wait to feel motivated before you start– you just start. You don’t always want to be there, but you have to be there. Creative jobs are no different. There will be days you feel you have nothing to offer to your blank page or canvas. Do not let this stop you! Sometimes you may draw things and write things that are terrible. A lot of times you will draw things and write things that are terrible. These are but stepping stones on your journey to greatness. Do not be afraid of them.

You do not have to be the artist who wakes up inspired, motivated, and confident every day. You just have to be the artist who shows up every day.

If you’re a procrastinator like me, you might as well spend your time doing something useful. The War of Art is a quick read that will leave you feeling ready to take on the world. More importantly, it will leave you feeling ready to sit down and GET TO WORK! We can’t wait to see what happens when you do.