We explore two powerful concepts from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle Is The Way" that can transform how we approach life's challenges: loving everything that happens and cultivating perseverance.

• Thomas Edison's warehouse fire destroyed $23 million worth of inventions, yet he watched with wonder and returned to work the next day
• Shifting from "have to" to "get to" perspective reconnects us with gratitude and excitement
• The story of Olivia, who transformed flood devastation into an organization that's collected over 110,000 pairs of shoes for those in need
• Persistence is an action (hammering at a problem), while perseverance is a matter of will (staying in the game long-term)
• Professional athletes demonstrate perseverance by investing more hours and maintaining focus longer than competitors
• Our greatest obstacles are often self-created through doubt, fear, and hesitation
• When we live out wisdom actively rather than just collecting it, our lives become richer and more meaningful

We'd love to hear from you about ways we could make this experience better! Reach out to us about joining a book club or participating in live events as we continue this journey together.

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We dive into Ryan Holiday's exploration of "Anticipation" and "The Art of Acquiescence" from his bestseller "The Obstacle is the Way," revealing how planning for failure can actually set you up for success.

• Exploring the concept of the "pre-mortem" – envisioning potential failures before they happen
• Building resilience through anticipating obstacles rather than being blindsided by them
• Using the "What if?" exercise to prepare contingency plans for potential challenges
• Learning to separate emotion from planning by approaching obstacles with neutrality
• Understanding that acceptance doesn't mean surrendering but recognizing what's beyond your control
• Viewing life's journey like taking the back roads – expecting disruptions as part of the adventure
• Recognizing that resilience comes from focusing energy on what's within your control

If you're getting value from these episodes, please share them with others who might benefit! We'd love to hear from you – reach out to us through the contact information in the show notes.

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We delve into the final section of Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," exploring how will—the discipline of the heart and soul—creates an inner fortress that no external adversity can break.

• Will represents quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility rather than forceful determination
• Abraham Lincoln's depression became his strength, teaching him to lead with dignity during America's Civil War
• The "inner citadel" concept describes the core part of ourselves that remains untouchable by external circumstances
• Building self-confidence and resilience requires facing obstacles rather than avoiding them
• Theodore Roosevelt overcame severe asthma through discipline, preparing him for greater challenges
• The path of least resistance teaches us nothing—we need struggle to develop true character
• Will is about surrendering the desire to control others while maintaining control over our own reactions
• Life's hardships will test everyone; the question is whether we've built the inner strength to face them

If you're interested in leadership development experiences based on historical figures like Lincoln, reach out to Denise for information about immersive programs she's led for teams.

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Denise and Sam explore the "Action" section of Ryan Holiday's book "The Obstacle is the Way," focusing on how to seize opportunities in crisis and transform obstacles into advantages.

• The Japanese art of Kintsugi illuminates how broken pottery repaired with gold becomes more valuable than before
• Taking swift action when opportunities arise separates successful people from those who merely dream
• Preparation must happen before opportunities present themselves - when the moment comes, it's too late to prepare
• Crises provide unique opportunities to implement changes that would be impossible during normal times
• Leaders who guide teams through difficult times often inspire greater loyalty than those who only lead during good times
• Successful people iterate faster, trying and failing many times while others are still planning
• Being prepared for failure is essential—the key is accepting results quickly and moving forward
• The will to persevere cannot be affected by outside circumstances, making it our most powerful internal resource

Join us next week as we conclude our book discussion by exploring the final section on "Will" and how to maintain perseverance in the face of obstacles.

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Sam and Denise explore how to transform obstacles into opportunities by approaching challenges with strategic patience and focused energy rather than immediate reaction.

• Using obstacles against themselves requires stepping back and allowing some problems to "fizzle out" on their own
• Non-action can be a powerful form of action when dealing with emotional situations or seemingly immovable obstacles
• Channeling frustration into focused energy creates more sustainable results than emotional reactions
• The "long game" approach often outperforms immediate gratification in both sports and business settings
• Humility is essential when facing obstacles—sometimes admitting the original path isn't working opens new possibilities
• Acting versus "acting out" determines whether obstacles derail us or become opportunities for growth
• Strategic thinking and intentional actions often prove more effective than constant activity

We're continuing our journey through "The Obstacle is the Way" with two final chapters next week focusing on seizing the offensive and preparing for when things don't work out. Subscribe to catch both this show and our exclusive edition series on "Extreme Ownership" hosted by our producer Zach Elliott.

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We explore two key chapters from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way" about taking action when faced with obstacles through creative problem-solving and finding alternative paths forward.

• Discussing how "what's right is what works" encourages flexible, goal-oriented thinking over rigid adherence to conventional methods
• Exploring Marcus Aurelius's simple wisdom: "The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out" as a guide to avoiding unnecessary complications
• Sharing real-life examples of finding creative solutions to roadblocks, including Denise's Disney trip detour story
• Examining the concept of the "flank attack" - approaching problems from unexpected angles rather than head-on confrontation
• Highlighting how George Washington's unconventional military tactics demonstrate the power of strategic thinking over brute force
• Looking at how successful businesses often use "side door strategies" to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles
• Reflecting on how sometimes the longest way around can be the shortest way home when obstacles are approached creatively

Join us next week as we continue exploring Holiday's book, focusing on using obstacles against themselves and effectively channeling our energy.

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We delve deep into the concept of "following the process" from Ryan Holiday's book The Obstacle Is the Way, exploring how Nick Saban's coaching philosophy offers valuable lessons for life and leadership.

• Process-oriented thinking keeps us in the present moment rather than fixating on end goals
• Creating systems provides a relaxing framework that reduces decision fatigue
• Figures like Obama, Zuckerberg and Jobs simplified their wardrobes to preserve mental energy
• Effective personal systems must be realistic and accommodate life's inevitable messiness
• Accountability partners can help maintain discipline when implementing new processes
• The formula for success is simple: hard work, honesty, and helping others
• What matters is doing the right thing in this moment, not worrying about the whole journey

Join us next week as we discuss "What's Right Is What Works" and how doing the right thing helps us transform obstacles into opportunities.

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Welcome, listeners, to what might just be the lost episode of our podcast! We were ready to share it with you before, but let’s just say, technology and timing had a little bit of an adventure of their own. So, here we are, presenting it to you a little later than expected—but hey, it’s like a fine wine, right? Sometimes it just needs a bit more time to age.

Now, don’t worry about the fact that we’re jumping in at what feels like the middle. Our podcast is designed so that you don’t have to follow the episodes in perfect order. So, go ahead, listen freely—start from wherever the mood strikes. It’s like picking up a book in the middle and deciding that chapter really resonates with you.

This episode wraps up our deep dive into Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle is the Way, where we explore how changing your perspective can transform obstacles into opportunities. And now, let’s dive into that good stuff:

• Thinking differently is essential to seeing obstacles as opportunities.
• Steve Jobs did not accept limitations—ever. He made his own rules, and guess what? The world changed because of it.
• Be aware of the external influences—those who tell you it’s just "the way things are." Their limitations shouldn’t become yours.
• Advice is often just another form of judgment, coming from others’ limitations. So, take it with a grain of salt—or maybe a whole shaker, depending on who’s offering it.
• The key to finding opportunities is controlling your emotions first. If you can’t do that, how can you spot the chances?
• General Eisenhower’s strategy during the Blitzkrieg? He saw the crisis as an opportunity to outmaneuver and adapt—genius thinking in the face of chaos.
• And here’s something personal: Olivia, after losing her home, didn’t just sit back and wait for things to get better. Instead, she launched "Save the Earth Projects." Talk about turning disaster into drive!
• You can prepare all day, but decisive action is what ultimately shifts the needle.
• And the foundation of all of this? Changing your thinking—because once that shifts, so do your results.

Join us next week as we take everything from perception into action in the next phase of our journey through The Obstacle is the Way. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!

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