No Surrender: A Field Manual For Creating Work With Heart

by Paul Waggener

"In this short, sharp book, I haven’t held back anything- this is all the advice I would give a friend who was sitting in the room with me asking me about creating and maintaining either a brand, a business, or a life lived all the way to the hilt. From changing our perspectives on cash and currency to making a lean and mean comeback after experiencing intense burnout or lack of direction, it’s all here in one fiery onslaught. This book is specifically written for creatives, artists, small business owners, musicians, and any other rebels who are looking to steer their own ship with no other hands on the rudder. In it, I outline strategies and principles that have kept me on the path and creating what I call “Work With Heart.” I think those of you who have enjoyed my other work will find a great deal of value in this."

84 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2018

About the author

Paul Waggener, musician, artist, author, founding member of the folkish pagan group Wolves of Vinland, and head of Operation Werewolf.

Reviews

[Mark Manderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much packed into this little gem…

Top takeaways

We are thoughts in the mind of God. Each of us an idea taking form over the course of our lives as the massive cosmic Organism flows and changes with us a tiny neuron or flickering insight that it has during its unimaginable life span.
CREATE ACCORDING TO YOUR CALLING
When making a post, if it cost you $100 to make, would you hit send? Is it so aflame with your message that you’d pay to send it?
Imagine it’s the only thing anyone will ever see from you.
QUITTING IS HABITUAL, JUST LIKE SUCCESS

[Justin Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is different from other self-help books. It does not give a formula or as more often is the case - a X Steps guide like "10 Steps to ________." This is not a work of pop culture like Peterson or someone you would see on Oprah.

The topics discussed here are more philosophical and deal with "what it means to be a creator," not "how to be a creator." Topics include how to embrace one's brand and develop a product that actually matters, not what that product is; and how to attempt a re-branding when the creativity has ran out.

"Work with Heart" is the overall theme of this book and it succeeds in explaining how to get there. However, it will still take the creator to come up with what that work is on his/her own.

The book is a quick read which I finished in one day. However, it will take a few re-readings to internalize Paul's message as a way of life. I would recommend this book to people who want to do something (whether that something is a business venture, writing books, painting, etc is irrekevant) but don't know how to begin with a solid foundation underneath them.

I am not sure what could be added to make this book a 5 star rating. Something feels like it is missing but I can not figure out what.

[Jerianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a book on creativity and thought this would provide the most palatable option for investigating Waggener’s philosophy, which he has recently begun to distance from its former overtly white supremacist rhetoric. While it does have a handful of interesting ideas to share, I was unsurprised to find the book replete with violent metaphors, misogyny of varying degrees, and a starkly fatalistic hierarchy-obsessed worldview.

[Johnathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate all of Paul’s writings. What I like most is that he and I do not see eye to eye on everything, but I can guarantee that we would not fight one another over who is right or wrong. This books is perfect for anyone who wants to believe in what they are doing. Creating positive and meaningful work for yourself is in our nature as humans. Can’t recommend this book enough.

[Ashley Villa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read! Finished it as we drove up to visit some family for the weekend. So many impactful lightbulb moments and comparisons. As a Creative Entrepreneur, I found myself grabbing my husbands arm and being like, “listen, listen! THIS is exactly how I feel! This is it!” Finally someone has put it all into words.

[AnnaRichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Create work with heart-great advice for all of us. He'll help you get to the bottom of it. It's short but stout! I really like this book and refer back to it to grab some gold nuggets from time to time.