We have a choice in every situation that we encounter.

Don’t we?

In adversity, do you see the end of the road that you wanted to go down, or do you see an opportunity to try something new?

I hope you will keep trying new things.

Because most things eventually give way to a persistent attack.

It’s our preconceptions that are the problem. They tell us that things should or need to be a certain way, so when they’re not, we naturally assume that we are at a disadvantage or that we’d be wasting our time to pursue an alternate course. When really, it’s all fair game, and every situation is an opportunity for us to act.

-Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle Is The Way

Seeing crisis or opportunity in a given incident points back to the entire premise we are talking about here: Does what stands in the way become the way?

Or does a given obstacle pose an issue that becomes impossible in your mind?

I know many matters look unmovable at first glance, but it kind of depends on your perspective, to be honest

Getting fired can look like a disaster. And it might be. But it also might open a door of possibility to something you never imagined.

And an unbearable coworker might make you want to look for a new job, but it might also give you an opportunity to practice your persuasion techniques.

You get the idea. Just keep it together.

Most issues arise when we let things that are outside of our control determine things that are inside our control.

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.

-Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle Is The Way