Blog

The War of Art & The Challenges of Electronic Music Production

Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art is all about overcoming Resistance, the invisible force that stops us from creating. If you’re an electronic music producer, you’ve probably felt Resistance in many forms—procrastination, self-doubt, endless tweaking, or just not starting a track at all. Pressfield’s insights apply directly to music production, and understanding them can help you push through creative blocks and finish more tracks.

1. Resistance is the Enemy of Every Producer

Pressfield defines Resistance as the force that stops us from doing meaningful creative work. In music production, Resistance appears when:

• You keep collecting samples and plugins but never finish a track.
• You start an idea but abandon it halfway, convincing yourself it’s not good enough.
• You spend hours perfecting a kick drum instead of arranging the track.
• You keep comparing your music to others and decide not to release anything.

Resistance isn’t just a lack of time or skill—it’s a psychological battle every producer faces.

2. Resistance Takes Many Forms in the Studio

Pressfield warns that Resistance disguises itself as rational excuses. In electronic music production, it can show up as:

• Gear Distraction: “I just need this new synth before I can make great music.”
• Endless Tweaking: “I can’t release this track yet—it’s not perfect.”
• Imposter Syndrome: “I’ll never be as good as [insert your favourite producer here], so why bother?”
• Distractions: “I’ll just check Instagram before I start producing…” (Four hours later: no music made.)

The harsh truth? Resistance is strongest when you’re closest to creating something great.

3. The Professional vs. The Amateur Producer

One of The War of Art’s most powerful lessons is the difference between an amateur and a professional mindset.

• Amateurs produce when they feel inspired. If things don’t sound good right away, they give up.
• Professionals treat production like a job. They show up every day, push through self-doubt, and finish tracks even when they don’t feel inspired.

Pressfield argues that professionals don’t wait for motivation—they create it through action. If you only produce when you “feel like it,” Resistance wins. But if you sit down and work on music regularly, Resistance loses its grip.

4. “Turning Pro” in Electronic Music Production

Pressfield’s concept of Turning Pro is a mental shift: you stop treating production as a hobby and start showing up with discipline. How does this apply?

• Create a Routine – Professionals don’t wait for inspiration. Set a schedule (e.g., “I produce every morning for 90 minutes”).
• Commit to Finishing Tracks – No more half-finished ideas—get them done, even if they’re not perfect.
• Detach from Perfectionism – Not every track needs to be a masterpiece. Finished is better than perfect.
• Treat It Like a Job – If you were getting paid for this, would you procrastinate? No. So work like you already are.

5. Inspiration Comes After Action, Not Before

Many producers wait for the “right vibe” before they make music. But The War of Art teaches that action comes first, and then inspiration follows.

I tested this years ago as a screenwriter. I wasn’t writing as much as I should be (but telling myself and others I was) and decided that I would go to St Lucia my family origins, to write. You guessed it – I didnt write any more than I did previously.

Some daily tip:

• Start producing, even if you don’t feel creative.
• The more you create, the more ideas come.
• If you show up consistently, you’ll have more breakthroughs than if you wait for a spark of genius.

Pressfield compares this to summoning the Muse—if you do the work, the creative gods reward you. But you have to start.

6. The Higher Forces of Music Production

Pressfield talks about territory vs. hierarchy thinking—are you making music for external validation (likes, followers, fame) or for internal fulfillment (because you love it)?

I personally thnk external validation is dangerous. Let’s get that thinking straight:

• Hierarchy Thinking: “I need to make music that gets signed to a big label.”
• Territory Thinking: “I make music because it feeds my soul, and I keep getting better.”

If you focus on the process rather than external success, you’ll enjoy music production more and ironically, make better tracks.

7. Resistance Never Goes Away—But You Can Win

Even top producers face Resistance. The difference is, they’ve learned to work through it.

• Resistance will always tell you your track isn’t good enough.
• Resistance will always make excuses to stop you from producing.
• Resistance will always make you compare yourself to others.

The trick is recognising Resistance when it appears and pushing through. The only way to fail is to stop making music.

Final Takeaway: Just Do the Work

If The War of Art teaches one lesson, it’s this: sit down and do the work. Open your DAW, start producing, and don’t overthink it. If you show up consistently, Resistance loses and your creativity wins.