We explore the final chapter of Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," focusing on how life requires us to continuously begin again and view obstacles as opportunities rather than barriers.

• The cycle of obstacles never ends - when we navigate one, another emerges
• Mountains behind mountains - life presents continuous challenges requiring perpetual readiness
• Obstacles become opportunities when we change our perspective and approach
• Success comes from seeing clearly, acting correctly, and enduring what we must
• Growth doesn't mean obstacles shrink, but that we develop greater capacity to hold them
• What once blocked our path can become the path itself
• The three disciplines: perception (see clearly), action (act correctly), will (endure and accept)
• Personal stories of transforming job loss into new opportunities through mindset shifts

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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

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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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