The Obstacle Is the Way : The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph

"A guide to overcoming adversity by drawing on the wisdom of the ancient Stoics"--"The book draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics focus on the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger, tougher. As Marcus Aurelius put it nearly 2000 years ago: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history--from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs--have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations. Their embrace of these principles ultimately mattered more than their natural intelligence, talents, or luck. If you're feeling frustrated, demoralized, or stuck in a rut, this book can help you turn your problems into your biggest advantages. And along the way it will inspire you with dozens of true stories of the greats from every age and era."--Amazon.com. Read more... Abstract: "A guide to overcoming adversity by drawing on the wisdom of the ancient Stoics"-- "The book draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics focus on the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger, tougher. As Marcus Aurelius put it nearly 2000 years ago: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history--from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs--have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations. Their embrace of these principles ultimately mattered more than their natural intelligence, talents, or luck. If you're feeling frustrated, demoralized, or stuck in a rut, this book can help you turn your problems into your biggest advantages. And along the way it will inspire you with dozens of true stories of the greats from every age and era."--Amazon.com #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller The Obstacle is the Way has become a cult classic, beloved by men and women around the world who apply its wisdom to become more successful at whatever they do. Its many fans include a former governor and movie star (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a hip hop icon (LL Cool J), an Irish tennis pro (James McGee), an NBC sportscaster (Michele Tafoya), and the coaches and players of winning teams like the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Cubs, and University of Texas men’s basketball team. The book draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics focus on the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger, tougher. As Marcus Aurelius put it nearly 2000 years ago: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history—from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs—have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations. Their embrace of these principles ultimately mattered more than their natural intelligence, talents, or luck. If you’re feeling frustrated, demoralized, or stuck in a rut, this book can help you turn your problems into your biggest advantages. And along the way it will inspire you with dozens of true stories of the greats from every age and era. The Obstacle is the Way has become a cult classic, beloved by men and women around the world who apply its wisdom to become more successful at whatever they do. Its many fans include a former governor and movie star (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a hip hop icon (LL Cool J), an Irish tennis pro (James McGee), an NBC sportscaster (Michele Tafoya), and the coaches and players of winning teams like the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Cubs, and University of Texas men's basketball team. The book draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics control the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger, tougher. As Marcus Aurelius put it nearly 2000 years ago: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history?from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs?have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations. Their embrace of these principles ultimately mattered more than their natural intelligence, talents, or luck. If you're feeling frustrated, demoralized, or stuck in a rut, this book can help you turn your problems into your biggest advantages. And along the way it will inspire you with dozens of true stories of the greats from every age and era. From the Hardcover edition Praise for The Obstacle Is the Way Title Page Copyright Preface Introduction PART I: PERCEPTION THE DISCIPLINE OF PERCEPTION RECOGNIZE YOUR POWER STEADY YOUR NERVES CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS PRACTICE OBJECTIVITY ALTER YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS IT UP TO YOU? LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT THINK DIFFERENTLY FINDING THE OPPORTUNITY PREPARE TO ACT PART II: ACTION THE DISCIPLINE OF ACTION GET MOVING PRACTICE PERSISTENCE ITERATE FOLLOW THE PROCESS DO YOUR JOB, DO IT RIGHT WHAT’S RIGHT IS WHAT WORKS IN PRAISE OF THE FLANK ATTACK USE OBSTACLES AGAINST THEMSELVES CHANNEL YOUR ENERGY SEIZE THE OFFENSIVE PREPARE FOR NONE OF IT TO WORK PART III: WILL THE DISCIPLINE OF THE WILL BUILD YOUR INNER CITADEL ANTICIPATION (THINKING NEGATIVELY) THE ART OF ACQUIESCENCE LOVE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS: AMOR FATI PERSEVERANCE SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF MEDITATE ON YOUR MORTALITY PREPARE TO START AGAIN Final Thoughts: The Obstacle Becomes the Way Postscript: You’re Now A Philosopher. Congratulations Acknowledgments Selected Bibliography The Stoic Reading List Reading Recommendations Let's Connect! "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." ? Marcus Aurelius We are stuck, stymied, frustrated. But it needn't be this way. There is a formula for success that's been followed by the icons of history?from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs?a formula that let them turn obstacles into opportunities. Faced with impossible situations, they found the astounding triumphs we all seek. These men and women were not exceptionally brilliant, lucky, or gifted. Their success came from timeless philosophical principles laid down by a Roman emperor who struggled to articulate a method for excellence in any and all situations. This book reveals that formula for the first time?and shows us how we can turn our own adversity into advantage In the year 170, at night in his tent on the front lines of the war in Germania, Marcus Aurelius, the emperor of the Roman Empire, sat down to write.