The Obstacle Is The Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
By: Ryan Holiday
Portfolio; 1 edition (May 1, 2014)
224 pages
I thought The Obstacle Is The Way was an absolutely stellar book to read. See, most of the issues you are worried about are a matter of perspective. Sure, maybe you are sick – but that might allow you to catch up on your reading. Maybe you tore your left bicep lifting weights – like I recently did – well, that can allow you time to improve your cardio. See how it works? With every setback, you’re always asking, What is now possible? If you are in the creative space, do not miss Holiday’s book Perennial Seller.
Two of my favorite quotes:
“Where one person sees a crisis, another can see opportunity. Where one is blinded by success, another sees reality with ruthless objectivity. Where one loses control of emotions, another can remain calm. Desperation, despair, fear, powerlessness—these reactions are functions of our perceptions. You must realize: Nothing makes us feel this way; we choose to give in to such feelings.”
“Born with nothing, into poverty, strife, or the chaos of decades past, certain types of people were freed from modern notions of fairness or good or bad. Because none of it applied to them. What was in front of them was all they knew—all they had. And instead of complaining, they worked with it. They made the best of it. Because they had to, because they didn’t have a choice. No one wants to be born weak or to be victimized. No one wants to be down to their last dollar. No one wants to be stuck behind an obstacle, blocked from where they need to go. Such circumstances are not impressed by perception, but they are not indifferent—or rather immune—from action. In fact, that’s the only thing these situations will respond to.”
