The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph | Key Takeaways & Analysis

By . IRB Media

Inside this Instaread of The Obstacle Is the Way:

· Overview of the book

· Important People

· Key Takeaways

· Analysis of Key Takeaways

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Feb 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944195748

. IRB Media

With Instaread, you can get the key takeaways, summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Overview

The Obstacle Is the Way is a self-help book intended to give the reader a solid grasp of the basics of Stoicism and an understanding of their practical application in everyday life. This is not an academic work or a philosophy text, but rather a philosophical self-help book for managing the obstacles that life presents us. As the title of the book might suggest, the word obstacles is mentioned more than any other term throughout the text.

The book’s message is that innate within each individual is the ability to overcome obstacles. Individuals may not be able to control everything in life, but self-control is always possible. If we can control our perception of the situation, we can control our reaction to it. This in turn will strengthen our will and resolve to act. As a result, those who seek to live by Stoic principles should act in a way that is deliberate. In turn they will benefit from stronger willpower and resilience in the face of

Reviews for The Obstacle Is the Way

[jfred-160214 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Feels like an OK introduction, but I was hoping for more substance. If nothing else, a quick read that points down the path to other sources.

[squeakychu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Truthfully, I’ve liked another of this author’s books better, but this was an interesting read albeit less useful to me. The premise of this book is using any obstacle to improve ourselves rather than allow it to cause more problems. I think this idea might be more helpful to someone who is more amenable to change. I happen to rant about things I don’t like. I realize I am a good target for this book, but I’m probably less amenable to its suggestions because I don’t want to be. However, I will keep them in mind when facing future obstacles. Who knows? Maybe this book was useful to me for more than I am now giving it credit.

[thewestwing-864351 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It took me ages to get through this book. While some of it was interesting, I found it repetitive.

[jpsnow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the most concise, readable digest about stoicism I've encountered so far. Holiday summarizes the core concepts in universally understandable terms and then shows how great leaders have applied them in a wide variety of circumstances. The overall theme is based on the quote from Marcus Aurelius: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." The structure is organized around the three disciplines of perception, action and will, which derive from another Aurelius quote. Beyond merely staying positive in the face of obstacles, we should learn to embrace them for the opportunity and potential innovation they present. I appreciated that rather than glossing over the reality of negative emotions, the author instead explores the value of learning to put them aside or control them. The book also makes valuable points about using process and continually pressing forward.

[jerry.yoakum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A perfect book to carry with you everywhere. The chapters are short and standalone so you can skip them or jump around or re-read certain chapters without it interrupting the flow of the book.

[davehowe-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 star book. There are a few books (Mastery by Robert Greene, for example) that I'll come back to at least once a year. This is one of those books. A great reminder that what is being perceived as "bad" actually can be turned into a positive, an advantage. This is a book a lot of my friends will be receiving for Christmas' to come.

[austin.sears · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a very nice, short, easy primer on overcoming problems, thinking clearly, and being present. It focuses on business obstacles, but the techniques apply to any domain. Although the book is generally based on the teachings of stoic philosophy, the major ideas are very similar to those of Buddhism , and the book serves as a great complement to other books focused more on mindfulness or meditation or strategy.

[rajivc_18 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an excellent book. What I like, is that Ryan Holiday goes beyond the trite words that would seek to motivate, and essentially tells you to get moving. Obstacles are bound to come your way in life, he says, and does not stop there. What he does do, is to give you a three step process that you can adapt to your lifeThere are many examples that are worthy of being read and emulated. Yet, the road is yoursThe way of the stoic is indeed one worth investigating and, possibly, following!

[grandpahobo_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. He gets a bit preachy at times, but that should not take away from the message. As with most things that are worthwhile, the idea is simple, the execution is difficult and the results are life changing.

[viking2917_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A philosophical butt-kicking on improving your life. Drawing on lessons from the Stoics of ancient history to modern day stories from Edison and others, this book shows how to turn problems into opportunities.

[rjcoburn11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book grounded in stoicism