“The obstacle is the way” by Ryan Holiday

The author 🖋

Ryan Holiday is a multiple-time bestselling author with over 2 million copies sold, who’s known for his work on personal development and ancient philosophy.

Previously, he’s worked as a media strategist for brands such as American Apparel, Google and Complex.

Key takeaways 🎓

1. Perception is reality

Obstacles themselves are neutral.

Our interpretation is what defines them as either positive or negative (and impacts our ability to overcome them).

Therefore looking for positives in every situation and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth will always help us handle them better.

2. Cultivation of inner will

Being strong inside helps us handle what happens outside of our control.

Holiday describes will as the inner strength and resilience needed for navigating life's challenges.

We should accept things we can't change and keep going, no matter what.

3. Take action & keep moving forward

Success in overcoming obstacles requires taking consistent, deliberate action.

In order to avoid getting paralyzed by fear or uncertainty, Holiday encourages focusing on what we can control and breaking down large challenges into small, manageable tasks.

Progress is made incrementally and if we take practical steps - no matter how small - in time, we can overcome any challenge.

Closing thoughts 🧠

The book aims to demonstrate that challenges are not just barriers and why they should actually be viewed as opportunities for growth.

The author draws inspiration from Marcus Aurelius's writings to provide practical advice on overcoming challenges in life.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the Stoic philosophy, Holiday’s Daily Stoic podcast is one of my favorite places to start..