My Review of “Stillness is the Key” by Ryan Holiday

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My Review of “Stillness is the Key” by Ryan Holiday

My wife made me see a doctor at 40. He marveled at my rigor—little sleep, lots of workouts, and nonstop crammed 10+ hour workdays, but told me I’d eventually hit a wall and have to adjust. At least it took 6 years!

I fed what I was feeling into ChatGPT and it recommended the book Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday. Having already read The Obstacle is the Way and as a subscriber to The Daily Stoic, I started reading it immediately.

It was exactly what I needed.

What if the missing ingredient to your success isn’t doing more, but doing less, being more intentional and focused, and taking the time to invest more in what really matters so you are better when you’re working?

Ryan Holiday takes wisdom from ancient Stoics, legendary athletes, brilliant artists, and world leaders to show that true mastery, happiness, and impact come from slowing down, focusing, and creating space for deep work and reflection.

Here are my favorite takeaways:

🧘‍♂️ Stillness isn’t passivity; it’s power. Holiday shares how JFK avoided nuclear war by practicing patience and restraint rather than reacting emotionally. In sales, leadership, and life, our best moves often come from calm, clear thinking, not knee-jerk reactions.

We are addicted to movement and distraction. A story about Tiger Woods’ inner stillness before a big putt reminded me how much focus we lose by constantly checking notifications, emails, and social feeds. Less noise = more clarity.

Discipline > Hustle. Kobe Bryant’s routine wasn’t just about grinding harder; he carved out time for mental and physical recovery. If we don’t prioritize rest and deep work, burnout is inevitable.

Journaling is a superpower. Leonardo da Vinci, Marcus Aurelius, and Anne Frank all used writing to clarify their thoughts. I have journaled consistently for 39 years, and it has been a powerful outlet.

Stillness is the ultimate unlock for success. It’s the ability to be calm in chaos, to see clearly when others panic, and to make better decisions with patience and wisdom.

Are you busy or are you effective?

Are you looking from the balcony view, focused on what matters most, or are you letting yourself be spread thin by every fire you feel compelled to put out?

Do you leave time to think, or is your day just one long reactive sprint?