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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Do the Work summary
Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way
10 mins
Brief summary
Do the Work by Steven Pressfield is a motivational book designed to help readers overcome creative roadblocks. It emphasizes the importance of taking action and persevering through obstacles to achieve success.
Table of Contents
Do the Work
Summary of 4 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 4
Identify your enemies and allies so you can more effectively get things done.
Certain things help you move toward your goals, while others get in the way. Good music might motivate you to work out, for example, while your favorite television show might make you want to stay home. These are the allies and enemies in your life.
Ambition and self-awareness are the real keys to achieving any goal, but they’re always under threat by a common enemy: resistance.
Resistance manifests itself in a number of ways. When you’re working on something meaningful that you have real passion for, but find yourself bogged down by self-criticism and doubt, that’s resistance setting in.
Any activity that requires a lot of energy and time can draw resistance. Actually, the more important an activity is to you, the more you’ll have to fight the resistance that acts against it.
Acting was so important to Henry Fonda, for instance, that he would throw up every time before he went on stage – even when he was 75 and already one of the most famous actors in the world!
Passion and dedication are strong allies, but they aren’t the only ones. Traits that we tend to perceive as negative – like ignorance and stubbornness – can be allies too, especially for artists and entrepreneurs.
Such “negative” characteristics helped famous American aviator Charles Lindbergh accomplish extraordinary feats. He had no idea how difficult it would be to fly for 33 hours straight, but his ignorance and stubbornness, along with his arrogance, made him believe he could do it.
And he succeeded: Lindbergh was the first person in history to be in New York on one day and Paris the next.
Stubbornness also helps you stay dedicated to your work, especially in difficult times. Steve Jobs was notorious for being stubborn, and this was instrumental while guiding his company, Apple, from its modest beginnings to becoming one of the most successful technology companies in the world.
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What is Do the Work about?
Do the Work (2011) outlines ways to help you conquer your fears, stop procrastinating and accomplish the things you've long desired. Learn about the many ways you can fight resistance, the negative internal force that tries to stop all of us from reaching our goals.
Do the Work Review
Do the Work by Steven Pressfield (2011) is an insightful book that offers practical guidance for overcoming resistance and accomplishing creative projects. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- With straightforward tips and techniques, the book provides a roadmap to help readers overcome obstacles and take action on their artistic endeavors.
- It emphasizes the importance of consistency and discipline in the creative process, inspiring readers to push through challenges and complete their projects.
- Through personal anecdotes and relatable examples, this book engages readers and keeps them motivated throughout, ensuring that the journey is anything but boring.
Best quote from Do the Work
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
—Steven Pressfield
Who should read Do the Work?
- Anyone struggling to finish their masterpiece
- Entrepreneurs unsure of how to put their ideas into practice
- Artists and freelancers looking for ways to overcome distractions
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Do the Work FAQs
What is the main message of Do the Work?
The main message of Do the Work is to overcome resistance and take action towards your creative endeavors.
How long does it take to read Do the Work?
The reading time for Do the Work varies, but it can be finished in a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Do the Work a good book? Is it worth reading?
Do the Work is a valuable book worth reading. It provides insights and strategies to help overcome resistance and achieve creative success.
Who is the author of Do the Work?
The author of Do the Work is Steven Pressfield.
What to read after Do the Work?
If you're wondering what to read next after Do the Work, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield
- Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
- The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker
- The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- Gemba Kaizen by Masaaki Imai
- Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control by Vaughn Carter
- The Only Game In Town by Mohamed A. El-Erian