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931 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
931 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
Whilst there were some great points made in this book, I feel there could have been more depth in the explanation. You can tell Ryan has done his research in stoicism I just would have just liked to see this come through more in supporting his arguments, I found the interview at the end better than the book. If you're feeling stuck, it is a great reminder to take a look at the "problems" in your life and use them to your advantage.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but this certainly wasn't it. I'm still not clear on the objective of this book.
This is in no way a book of practical advice. Nor is it really perspective or attitude shifting - it seems if you are already reading this, you agree with the "points" the author makes.
What it really is, is a collection of hero stories that demonstrate how people have overcome obstacles. So I guess a nice book to read if you want to refocus or need something to read before bed as a devotional-type of work.
The best part of the book is the periodic quotes of Marcus Aurelius, and that it inspired me to read Meditations.
This is in no way a book of practical advice. Nor is it really perspective or attitude shifting - it seems if you are already reading this, you agree with the "points" the author makes.
What it really is, is a collection of hero stories that demonstrate how people have overcome obstacles. So I guess a nice book to read if you want to refocus or need something to read before bed as a devotional-type of work.
The best part of the book is the periodic quotes of Marcus Aurelius, and that it inspired me to read Meditations.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This one is worthy of endless re-reads, and it has already found its way to my "favorites" shelf. In the early pages, I had to determine not to keep highlighting every profound thought, lest I turn the entire book into a fluorescent smudge.
The title is great, and although it hints at what is inside, the actual content exceeded my expectations. The author certainly teaches the reader that the obstacle is the way, but what was fascinating to me were the almost endless facets of looking at a given obstacle. Not the least of which was the realization in a chapter titled, "Recognize Your Power," which states that it is "through our perception of events," that we come to learn that "we are complicit in the creation--as well as the destruction--of every one of our obstacles." There's some heavy-duty teaching happening within the pages of this book. If you've come to learn, you're going to be very happy with this book.
With that in mind, another chapter within this title is called, "Alter Your Perspective," and within those pages I also highlighted the thought from Ryan Holiday that "when you can break apart something, or look at it from some new angle, it loses its power over you." Later he advises that we "stop looking for angels, and start looking for angles."
There's an old adage that the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and it is certainly true that our big problems are actually a conglomeration of smaller problems, or better yet "tasks" that can be accomplished over time if we are patient and persistent. Along the way, our problems become smaller as we grow in confidence and success, ever reaching closer to our goals.
Keeping with the theme of perspective, Holiday later explains that when some adversity comes our way, "it's a huge step forward to realize that the worst thing to happen is never the event, but the event and losing your head." We have to pause and realize that though we cannot change what has happened to us, we can choose how we will respond.
I won't include every quote or story that I enjoyed and learned from, or else I'd just be re-writing the book here in this review. But a couple of my favorites were the chapter on Nick Saban's "Process" as well as a great story about a proprietor in 1915 who was able to successfully defeat a corporation who "lawyered up" over a property dispute in a foreign country involving 5,000 acres of natural resources.
These principles are very much in line with the concepts taught by one of my favorite authors, Andy Andrews, who uses the term "perspective" and the character of "Jones" to teach the same principles. I believe Andy Andrews would enjoy this book, not only because of this content, but also because Ryan Holiday, like Andrews, emphasizes the power of learning from the lives (biographies) of others who have persevered and found success. Almost every chapter within this book is a snapshot of the biography of some person of renown, and many / most of their stories were new to me, especially the parts that were presented in context of this book.
Holiday's thoughts are well-organized and the presentation and delivery are polished. I recommend reading more than once.
The title is great, and although it hints at what is inside, the actual content exceeded my expectations. The author certainly teaches the reader that the obstacle is the way, but what was fascinating to me were the almost endless facets of looking at a given obstacle. Not the least of which was the realization in a chapter titled, "Recognize Your Power," which states that it is "through our perception of events," that we come to learn that "we are complicit in the creation--as well as the destruction--of every one of our obstacles." There's some heavy-duty teaching happening within the pages of this book. If you've come to learn, you're going to be very happy with this book.
With that in mind, another chapter within this title is called, "Alter Your Perspective," and within those pages I also highlighted the thought from Ryan Holiday that "when you can break apart something, or look at it from some new angle, it loses its power over you." Later he advises that we "stop looking for angels, and start looking for angles."
There's an old adage that the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and it is certainly true that our big problems are actually a conglomeration of smaller problems, or better yet "tasks" that can be accomplished over time if we are patient and persistent. Along the way, our problems become smaller as we grow in confidence and success, ever reaching closer to our goals.
Keeping with the theme of perspective, Holiday later explains that when some adversity comes our way, "it's a huge step forward to realize that the worst thing to happen is never the event, but the event and losing your head." We have to pause and realize that though we cannot change what has happened to us, we can choose how we will respond.
I won't include every quote or story that I enjoyed and learned from, or else I'd just be re-writing the book here in this review. But a couple of my favorites were the chapter on Nick Saban's "Process" as well as a great story about a proprietor in 1915 who was able to successfully defeat a corporation who "lawyered up" over a property dispute in a foreign country involving 5,000 acres of natural resources.
These principles are very much in line with the concepts taught by one of my favorite authors, Andy Andrews, who uses the term "perspective" and the character of "Jones" to teach the same principles. I believe Andy Andrews would enjoy this book, not only because of this content, but also because Ryan Holiday, like Andrews, emphasizes the power of learning from the lives (biographies) of others who have persevered and found success. Almost every chapter within this book is a snapshot of the biography of some person of renown, and many / most of their stories were new to me, especially the parts that were presented in context of this book.
Holiday's thoughts are well-organized and the presentation and delivery are polished. I recommend reading more than once.
Filled up my 'professional energy cup' when I really needed it.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
inspiring
medium-paced