Ryan Holiday’s “The Obstacle Is The Way” is a phenomenal book that encourages all of us to shift our perspective and look at obstacles differently. Telling the stories of countless historical figures who overcame great obstacles to find success, Holiday proves that overcoming obstacles is the only way to success.
The Obstacle Is The Way was one of the first self-help books that I read and it introduced me to the philosophy of Stoicism.
Here are ten of the best quotes from Holiday’s The Obstacle Is The Way:
“As it turns out, this is the one thing that all great man and women of history have in common. Like oxygen to a fire, obstacles became fuel for the blaze that was their ambition.”
“Many of our problems come from having too much: rapid technological disruption, junk food, traditions that tell us how to live our lives. We’re soft, entitled, and scared of conflict. Great times are great softeners.”
“Too often we react emotionally, get despondent, and lose our perspective. All that does is turn bad things into really bad things.
“In these situations, talent is not the most sought-after characteristic. Grace and poise are, because these two attributes precede the opportunity to deploy any other skill.”
“The Greeks were clever. But beneath this particular quip is the fundamental notion that grids not just Stoic philosophy but cognitive psychology: perspective is everything.”
“Take what you’re afraid of — when fear strikes you — and break it apart.”
“The extent of the struggle determines the extent of the growth. The obstacle is an advantage, not adversity.”
“We forget: In life, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given. And the only wat you’ll do something spectacular is by using it all to your advantage.”
“No one is saying you can’t take a minute to just think, Dammit, this sucks. By all means, vent. Exhale. Take stock. Just don’t take too long. Because you have to get back to work.”
“Stop looking for angels, and start looking for angles.”