The Obstacle Is the Way
Author | Ryan Holiday |
---|---|
Cover artist | Erin Tyler |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Publisher | Portfolio, Penguin Hardcover |
Publication date | May 1, 2014 |
Pages | 224 pages |
ISBN | 1591846358 |
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph is the third book by bestselling author Ryan Holiday and was published in 2014.[1] It is loosely based on the Roman philosophy of stoicism.[2][3]
Overview
The title of the book is drawn from a quote from Meditations, a series of personal writings by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”[1] Holiday draws from Meditations, Aurelius, and the philosophy of stoicism to expand the idea that how we respond to obstacles is what defines us.[4] Holiday argues that obstacles don't inhibit success, they create success and that readers should see "through the negative, past its underside, and into its corollary: the positive."[5][6]
The Obstacle Is The Way is structured around three disciplines: perception, action and will.[7] Each section uses historical anecdotes and figures from politics, commerce, sports, and history including Theodore Roosevelt, Demosthenes, John D Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ulysses S. Grant, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, among others.[1][5][8]
In May 2014, Holiday had the title of the book tattooed to his forearm.[9][10] The book was included in Gear Patrol's "10 Best Books of Summer", and named one of Entrepreneur Magazine's must read holiday books.[11][12]
The audiobook of The Obstacle Is The Way was later published by NYTimes bestselling author Tim Ferriss.[13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Schawbel, Dan. "Ryan Holiday: How Challenges Become Opportunities For Entrepreneurs". Forbes.
- ↑ PAVIA, WILL. "The teachings of Marcus Aurelius rebooted for a chaotic world". The Australian.
- ↑ The Obstacle Is the Way: The Right Mindset for Finding Success Lifehacker.com
- ↑ HERRMANN, JOSHI. "How to avoid a work crisis with a 'pre-mortem'". London Evening Standard.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage". Publisher's Weekly.
- ↑ Trapp, Roger. "True Leaders Do As A Roman Did - And Focus On The Positive". Forbes.
- ↑ Taylor, Ivana. ""The Obstacle is the Way" Gives Unusual Advice for Success". Small Business Trends.
- ↑ Willis, Tyler. "Read Stoicism". BigThink.
- ↑ "Ryan Holiday Tattoos The Obstacle Is The Way on His Arm". Penguin.
- ↑ Gregoire, Carolyn. "This Ancient Philosophy Is What We Desperately Need In Our Modern Lives". Huffington Post.
- ↑ 5 Uplifting Books You Should Read This Holiday Season Entrepreneur.com
- ↑ GOULD, K.B. "10 GREAT BOOKS TO READ IN THE AC OR THE OPEN AIR". GearPatrol.
- ↑ Holiday, Ryan. "Tim Ferriss Publishes Betabeat Editor Under New Audiobook Venture". BetaBeat.
External links
- TEDxUofChicago 'Stoic Optimism' by Ryan Holiday
- Stephen McGinty: Romans to the rescue The Scotsman June 2014