The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday

Quotes:
– The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way – Marcus Aurelius
– No thank you, I can’t afford to panic.
– The path of least resistance is a terrible teacher.
– Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.
– Failure shows us the way—by showing us what isn’t the way.
– First, see clearly. Next, act correctly. Finally, endure and accept the world as it is.
– Like any good school, learning from failure isn’t free. The tuition is paid in discomfort or loss and having to start over.
– Stop looking for an epiphany, and start looking for weak points. Stop looking for angels, and start looking for angles.
– You’ll have far better luck toughening yourself up than you ever will trying to take the teeth out of a world that is—at best—indifferent to your existence.
– Focus on the moment, not the monsters that may or may not be up ahead.
– To argue, to complain, or worse, to just give up, these are choices. Choices that more often than not, do nothing to get us across the finish line.

The Obstacle is the Way Summary

Notes:
– Lot of thoughts from philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, etc.
– The table of contents pretty much summarise the book.
– Lots of stories about people who went through each point.
– Greeks call it Apetheia, in Sanskrit it’s Vairaghya. Not being mentally disturbed by craving and aversions.
– The right perspective will change everything.
– Always find opportunity and look for positives in obstacles and negatives. The greatest skill is to flip it to your advantage.
– Follow the process not the prize.
– Do what works to get from A to B. Doesn’t matter if the cat is black or white, catching the mouse is priority.
– Which means that sometimes the longest way around is the shortest. Mauritian saying: What’s cheaper can end up costing you more.
– Judo the obstacles against themselves. Cease the offensive.
– Premeditate on evils. Time Ferriss calls it fear setting.
– Love everything that happens, good or bad. Remember that there is something bigger than the self.
– Memento mori. Always be aware of your mortality. You only live once – YOLO!
– When you move on, move on fully and forgive the past.
– First see correctly then act correctly and finally endure what is.
– The book I got had a bonus audio interview with Tim Ferriss

The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

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Contents:
Preface
Introduction

Part 1: Perception
– The Discipline of Perception
– Recognise 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 A Philosopher: Congratulations
Acknowledgements
Selected Bibliography
The Stoic Reading List
Reading Recommendations