It’s the first day of September, 2009 and I’m eating breakfast in the clouds. I’m on the 37th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo. The previous night, we just completed our largest 30 Day Challenge ever. It’s always a weird feeling when you finish something that has consumed every moment of your past few months. For some reason, I had Steven Pressfield’s “The War Of Art“ with me to read at breakfast. These were the dark days before the iPad was released! As I read "The War Of Art”, it was like someone was simultaneously punching me in the stomach, hard. Then, at the very same time they were giving me the most heartfelt embrace of my life. I read it at breakfast. I did not move from the table. I cried. I don’t cry. In particular, I don’t cry in public when I’m having breakfast at a hotel. Let’s face it, it puts off the other guests. I still cried. I’ve never had such a physical reaction to something I’ve read. Never. Ever had the feeling you found something you were missing… but you didn’t even relies it was missing. This was one of those times. Since that breakfast, everything changed. Everything I’ve achieved in the past two can be traced back to that nut punching hug of a read. I’ve spent the last two years haranguing any one who would stand still long enough to rave about this book. The exciting thing, for you and me, is the sequel to “The War Of Art” was released yesterday. It’s spectacular. It made me cry. Again. A Practical Example Of Heartbreaking Mediocrity I have a massive experiment going on in Facebook. It was inspired by one of our regular (and endearingly cranky at times) commenters – Mac MacPherson He was lamenting the fact that running an online business was all about backlinks and SEO. Creating great stuff seemed secondary . Wow. Side Bar: Another of my Hero’s and the person who got me to read “The War Of Art” was Merlin Mann – he is openly hostile about SEO. Exhibit A – This cut to the bone tweet. Ever had a hero of yours be dismissive of what you do… It’s not fun. Damn you Mac, Damn you Merlin! So I set myself a challenge. On my Ed Dale Facebook Page I would do the following. The only “marketing” for the page was the act of creating, shipping and publishing “good'ish” content on a consistent basis. No advertising to get traffic. No backlinking. No SEO. No forcing people to like something to get at the content. No Forced Opt-Ins. Just me, my content and an asskicking workflow forcing me to publish! The results have been spectacular. I’ve doubled the number of fans on my Facebook page and increased my blog traffic by a factor of 6. But that’s not the point of today. The point is there is NO WAY I would have been able to publish with the consistency I have if Steven Pressfield did not deliver that virtual punch to the junk in Tokyo a couple of years ago. Yesterday, “Do The Work” was published. It made me cry. I don’t cry in my Lounge Room. (In particular, I don’t cry when watching Elle Macpherson hosting Britain’s Next Top Model. Okay, occasionally I get teary , when she stands side on at judging it makes me… back to “Do The Work” ) Specifically, this quote made me cry. And as is the done thing, update my Facebook status… “Do The Work" is the step-by guide to the theory of “The War Of Art”

This very blog post uses the steps outlined in the book.

When I was tearfully tweeting, what was even more awesome was seeing sooo many of my friends drop what they were doing and immediately read it.

I’m not kidding.

Immediately.

This morning I sent an email out to my students and told them not to bother turning up to our 1-1’s after Easter unless they had read “Do The Work”. I hope they don’t think I’m kidding!

I’m not.

If you’re serious about creating an online business or creating anything, you will go and download this immediately.

It’s free on kindle for goodness sake!!!

Thank You Seth Godin and GE.

Get the Kindle Version Of “Do The Work”

That’s not an affiliate link, I don’t want your money, I want you to read the book.

NOW!

In many parts of the world, this week is a week about rebirth, putting the past behind you, being forgiven and most importantly, – that most unique of human gifts -to start again.

Your second (78th!) chance can start now

MUST start now.

If I could physically reach from this blog , take over your computer and force you to download this book I would.

To quote the magnificent Rachel Zoe , “It’s MAJOR”.

It’s a very short read, you’ll only take half an hour or so.

You have no excuse. Download it .

If you love it, do your friends and the Domino Project a favour. Tell them about it. Spread The Word.

I’d love to hear what you thought about “Do The Work” in the comments .

Go do it.

Now

Ed