THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY Book Review | Ryan Holiday | Stoicism & Marcus Aurelius Teachings

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“The Obstacle is The Way” by Ryan Holiday explains the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism and how to use every obstacle to improve yourself, instead of getting in your way.

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Ryan Holiday draws from Meditations, Aurelius, and the philosophy of stoicism to expand the idea that how we respond to obstacles is what defines us.

Holiday argues that obstacles don't inhibit success, they create success and that readers should see "through the negative, past its underside, and into its corollary: the positive."

The Obstacle Is The Way is structured around three disciplines: perception, action and will.

Each section uses historical anecdotes and figures from politics, commerce, sports, and history including Theodore Roosevelt, Demosthenes, John D Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ulysses S. Grant, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, among others.

Ratings:

Content/ Knowledge - 10/10
Writing quality - 9/10
Engagement - 9/10
Would I read it again? - Yes
Overall - 10/10

Timestamps:

1:25 - Introduction
2:56 - PART 1: PERCEPTION
3:20 - The Discipline of Perception
5:00 - Recognise Your Power
6:00 - Steady Your Nerves
7:17 - Control Your Emotions
8:03 - Practice Objectivity
8:53 - Alter Your Perspective
10:19 - Is it Up To You?
11:04 - Live in the Present Moment
12:26 - Think Differently
13:28 - Finding The Opportunity
14:41 - PART 2: ACTION
15:05 - The Discipline of Action
16:35 - Get Moving
17:16 - Practice Persistence
18:21 - Iterate
19:08 - Follow The Process
19:47 - Do Your Job, Do It Right
20:37 - What's Right Is What Works
22:36 - Use Obstacles Against Themselves
23:20 - Channel Your Energy
23:56 - Seize The Offensive
24:50 - Prepare For None of It To Work
25:27 - PART 3: WILL
25:51 - The Discipline of Will
27:04 - Build Your Inner Citadel
27:54 - Love Everything That Happens
28:55 - Perseverance
30:06 - Something Bigger Than Yourself
30:59 - Meditate On Your Mortality
32:04 - Prepare To Start Again
32:38 - Final Thoughts

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[thegreystoics]

I just finished reading this book, it's great. It's not a big boring story like other books but several small examples that go together. Really keeps it fresh through the book.