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935 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
935 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Has some nice inspiring bits, has some bits that are contradictory or trite.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
medium-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Ryan Holiday's third book, The Obstacle Is The Way, taps into stoic philosophy to speak to those who face obstacles that they believe are preventing them from reaching their objectives. With Marcus Aurelius (Meditations, he argues that obstacles, seen correctly, are the way to what we need and want most. He also draws upon others from the Stoic tradition, such as Seneca and Epictetus, and highlights examples from the lives of more recent leaders like Teddy Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, U.S. Grant, Barack Obama, and others. In his words, we need to see "through the negative, past its underside, and into its corollary: the positive."
Holiday organizes his reflections into three disciplines: perception, action, and will. The key to dealing with obstacles seems to be what he refers to as a "reverse clause." That is, an escape route, an alternative path, or even simply the flexibility to see the obstacle in a different way. That might be, for example, an opportunity to "practice some virtue: patience, courage, humility, resourcefulness, reason justice, and creativity."
Perception means to see, understand. or ascribe meaning to what is happening around you. We must see these circumstances almost as an outside observer, without being overwhelmed by emotion or extraneous or false details. We need to clear out our "stories" and deal straightforwardly with the facts of a situation, with the empathy or EQ to confront those circumstances calmly and prudently.
Holiday's view of action reminds me a bit of Regina Brett's column in which she advocates that one "just do the next right thing" when faced with a dilemma or large task. Action isn't enough...it must be correct action. Or as my piano teacher told me years ago, practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. Bold, yes, but also deliberate, prudent, intentional, and persistent.
Lastly, will is internal to each of us. It cannot be affected by the outside world, and exists independent of outside circumstances. Karl G. Maeser once said "Place me behind prison walls--walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground--there is a possibility that in some way or another I may escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of the circle? No. Never! I'd die first!" Both of these reflect the power fo indomitable willpower - in the one instance, to persist in working toward one's goal, and in the other, to hold inviolate one's word. Will is what remains when one's ability to act has all but disappeared. Will is manifested more in humility, resilience, and flexibility than in bluster and bravado.
For me, this was a thought-provoking book, and has led me to reading some of the original philosophers quoted by Holiday. It's worth a read.
(Second reading) Re read this as part of an online philosophical book group. Less interesting for me than before, but I think it's still worthwhile for someone new to Stoicism.
Holiday organizes his reflections into three disciplines: perception, action, and will. The key to dealing with obstacles seems to be what he refers to as a "reverse clause." That is, an escape route, an alternative path, or even simply the flexibility to see the obstacle in a different way. That might be, for example, an opportunity to "practice some virtue: patience, courage, humility, resourcefulness, reason justice, and creativity."
Perception means to see, understand. or ascribe meaning to what is happening around you. We must see these circumstances almost as an outside observer, without being overwhelmed by emotion or extraneous or false details. We need to clear out our "stories" and deal straightforwardly with the facts of a situation, with the empathy or EQ to confront those circumstances calmly and prudently.
Holiday's view of action reminds me a bit of Regina Brett's column in which she advocates that one "just do the next right thing" when faced with a dilemma or large task. Action isn't enough...it must be correct action. Or as my piano teacher told me years ago, practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. Bold, yes, but also deliberate, prudent, intentional, and persistent.
Lastly, will is internal to each of us. It cannot be affected by the outside world, and exists independent of outside circumstances. Karl G. Maeser once said "Place me behind prison walls--walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground--there is a possibility that in some way or another I may escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of the circle? No. Never! I'd die first!" Both of these reflect the power fo indomitable willpower - in the one instance, to persist in working toward one's goal, and in the other, to hold inviolate one's word. Will is what remains when one's ability to act has all but disappeared. Will is manifested more in humility, resilience, and flexibility than in bluster and bravado.
For me, this was a thought-provoking book, and has led me to reading some of the original philosophers quoted by Holiday. It's worth a read.
(Second reading) Re read this as part of an online philosophical book group. Less interesting for me than before, but I think it's still worthwhile for someone new to Stoicism.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their outlook on life. This book is a fantastic introduction to the philosophy of stoicism and provides a unique perspective on challenges and obstacles. Ryan Holiday's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making the book both enjoyable and educational. I found myself inspired and motivated after reading it, and I believe it will have a positive impact on anyone who picks it up. I highly recommend this book and give it a full 5 stars.