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A review by mk677
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday
3.0
This book is an introduction into stoicism that uses historical examples to illustrate the points. A
very good read for learning some of the stoic principles which the Bulldog Mindset is based on.
It covers many common stoic practices such as imagining the worst, practicing living in poverty
and acceptance.
● “Our actions may be impeded… but there can be no impeding our intentions or
dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts
to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances
actions. What stands in the way becomes the way.” - Marcus Aurelius
● Obstacles offer opportunities to practice virtue and grow yourself.
● Most of us are dissatisfied with our lives, but we do nothing. We adopt the victim mindset
and blame our situation on other people and circumstances, which leave us powerless.
● 3 Critical Steps:
○ Perception
■ We choose how to perceive the events that happen and get to choose
what kind of meaning we give to situations.
■ Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so. As Shakespear famously
said.
○ Action
■ Directed action is important. We must have persistence and flexibility. We
must also act with boldness.
○ Will
■ Internal power. Our fortress against the outside world. The stronger our
will the more resilient and flexible we are. We bend but we do not break.
● There is the event and then there is the story we tell ourselves about that event.
● Obstacles are not as important as how we see them.
● Real strength lies in controlling our emotions rather than pretending they don’t exist.
● Defeat emotions with logic. Ask questions. Perceive objectively.
● Ask whether you initial impression are helpful or not.
● It doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from, it matters what you do
with the hand you were dealt in life. That is what is up to you and in your power.
● No one is coming to save you. It is up to you to accomplish whatever it is you desire in
life.
● If you aren’t happy with where you are, you need to take action.
● Play the long game. You must learn to persist. Determination is invincible.
● Be prepared to lose and for your actions not to work. Nothing can ever prevent you from
trying.
● Be ready to accept whatever happens and find another way.
● Discard your expectations and accept reality. Things that are outside of your control can
only be accepted.
● Stay calm and always be in control. Inner peace or tranquility is the goal.
● Life is supposed to be hard. After you pass one obstacle or grow stronger, you will only
face a larger or more difficult obstacle. Embrace this part of life
very good read for learning some of the stoic principles which the Bulldog Mindset is based on.
It covers many common stoic practices such as imagining the worst, practicing living in poverty
and acceptance.
● “Our actions may be impeded… but there can be no impeding our intentions or
dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts
to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances
actions. What stands in the way becomes the way.” - Marcus Aurelius
● Obstacles offer opportunities to practice virtue and grow yourself.
● Most of us are dissatisfied with our lives, but we do nothing. We adopt the victim mindset
and blame our situation on other people and circumstances, which leave us powerless.
● 3 Critical Steps:
○ Perception
■ We choose how to perceive the events that happen and get to choose
what kind of meaning we give to situations.
■ Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so. As Shakespear famously
said.
○ Action
■ Directed action is important. We must have persistence and flexibility. We
must also act with boldness.
○ Will
■ Internal power. Our fortress against the outside world. The stronger our
will the more resilient and flexible we are. We bend but we do not break.
● There is the event and then there is the story we tell ourselves about that event.
● Obstacles are not as important as how we see them.
● Real strength lies in controlling our emotions rather than pretending they don’t exist.
● Defeat emotions with logic. Ask questions. Perceive objectively.
● Ask whether you initial impression are helpful or not.
● It doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from, it matters what you do
with the hand you were dealt in life. That is what is up to you and in your power.
● No one is coming to save you. It is up to you to accomplish whatever it is you desire in
life.
● If you aren’t happy with where you are, you need to take action.
● Play the long game. You must learn to persist. Determination is invincible.
● Be prepared to lose and for your actions not to work. Nothing can ever prevent you from
trying.
● Be ready to accept whatever happens and find another way.
● Discard your expectations and accept reality. Things that are outside of your control can
only be accepted.
● Stay calm and always be in control. Inner peace or tranquility is the goal.
● Life is supposed to be hard. After you pass one obstacle or grow stronger, you will only
face a larger or more difficult obstacle. Embrace this part of life