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

by Ryan Holiday

“Bad companies are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them.”

“be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

“Oh, how blessed young men are who have to struggle for a foundation and beginning in life,” he once said. “I shall never cease to be grateful for the three and half years of apprenticeship and the difficulties to be overcome, all along the way.”

There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means.

That’s a man who has a job to do and would bear anything to get it done.

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.

Well, I guess it’s on me then. I don’t have the luxury of being shaken up about this or replaying close calls in my head. I’m too busy and too many people are counting on me.

There is always a countermove, always an escape or a way through, so there is no reason to get worked up. No one said it would be easy and, of course, the stakes are high, but the path is there for those ready to take it.

It’s time to realize that this is a luxury, an indulgence of our lesser self.

Does what happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness?