I read Do the Work in less than 30 minutes with a glass of wine by my side. Okay, it was more like one-and-a-half, but who’s counting?
And this really isn’t a traditional type of book review, but more on this in a second. If you loved Pressfield’s The War of Art, then you’ll love this book too and you don’t need a review by me or anyone else, you’re just going to buy it…if you haven’t bought it already.
Do the Work is shorter and more to the point than The War of Art, although I was searching for a more of a sustained kick in the pants from this short book, I think it’s still powerful. Yes, there was a lull toward the end, but I still got a lot of inspiration and a shot in the arm to focus on doing GREAT WORK that has been kicking around in idea stage for too long.
Some of the key points or calls to action that I underlined:
Don’t think. Act. - Translation: Don’t overthink or over-plan, just get started. In fact, start before you’re even ready.
Research Diet - Loved this idea. I fell into the trap of doing too much research when I wrote my first book and the first batch of ebooks I wrote. “You’re allowed to read three books on your subject. No more.” The point is that often we procrastinate by doing too much research. Screw that Pressfield says. Just read enough to get a start and then START.
Another piece of advice on research: “Do research early or late. Don’t stop working. Never do research in prime working time.”
Swing for the Seats – “If you and I want to do great stuff, we can’t let ourselves work small. A home-run swing that results in a strikeout is better than a successful bunt or even a line drive single.”
Keep Working - Throughout, we’re reminded of the importance of momentum and not missing a day. If Stephen King writes each and every day, to this day, then we can do the same for our passion.
How Bad Do You Want It? “Dabbling – Interest – Intrigued but Uncertain – Passionate – Totally Committed.” This is a scale against which you answer the question of ‘how bad do you want it?’ where “IT” is whatever you’re pursuing. If you have no choice or are doing it for the love of the art, then you’re on the right track.
Just Ship It – Inspired by Seth’s motto and the importance Godin puts on “Shipping” something. “Because finishing is the critical part of any project. If we can’t finish, all our work is for nothing.” Well said and 100 percent true.
If you’re an artist, writer, creator, producer, then this book is for you. If you’re looking to make a dent in the world and do something great, then this book is for you. In fact, I think it’s worth the read for just about anyone who’s looking to rise above the everyday blandless that life sometimes throws our way.
The book is a must read at just under $10 and the Kindle version is free – which means it’s a must get, no-brainer “purchase.”
Fabio Marciano is an accomplished author and runs the popular blog Cubicle Millionaire. He is dedicated to radically changing people's lives first through their finances and their work. He frequently writes about a variety of topics, namely getting ahead at your full-time job, doing great work, losing weight and getting in shape, creating a second income, how to plan for the future and how to be more productive (to name a few topics). 
