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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We explore the concept of persistence from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way" and discover how persisting through challenges is the key to effective action in life and leadership.

• The best way out of any challenge is always through, not around
• Persistence and pertinacity are key assets demonstrated by historical leaders like General Grant
• Uphill goals require uphill habits and relentless determination
• Having a clear "why" statement fuels persistence when motivation naturally wanes
• Iteration allows us to learn from failures and adjust our approach without losing momentum
• Creating space between our identity and our failures prevents emotional paralysis
• Viewing obstacles as feedback provides precise instructions for improvement

If you're getting value from this podcast, we'd love to hear from you and please share these episodes with others who might benefit. The book is "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday.

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We explore the transformative concept of Extreme Ownership from Jocko Willink and Leif Babin's book on Navy SEAL leadership principles applied to business and life. Through powerful military examples and business parallels, we unpack how taking complete responsibility as a leader creates a culture of accountability and success.

• Leaders own everything in their world—there are no bad teams, only bad leaders
• Taking responsibility for both successes and failures builds trust and team discipline
• "Blue on blue" incidents (friendly fire) in business occur when internal teams work against each other
• Leaders must clearly explain strategic missions, develop tactics, and secure proper training and resources
• Setting aside ego is essential for effective leadership and problem-solving
• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are foundational leadership qualities
• Conducting a "responsibility audit" helps identify leadership improvement opportunities
• You can't force people to excel—true leadership inspires voluntary commitment

If you're interested in developing your leadership skills through professional coaching, reach out through the links in our show notes. Next week, we'll dive deeper into leadership principles with Leif Babin.

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Have you ever felt stuck when facing an obstacle, unsure how to move forward? The key to transformation lies not in your perception alone, but in what you do next.

Continuing our journey through Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," we explore Part Two – the critical transition from perception to action. Theodore Roosevelt's wisdom frames our discussion perfectly: "We must either wear out or rust out. Every one of us." This choice between meaningful movement and stagnation lies at the heart of overcoming any challenge.

We dive deep into what Holiday calls "the discipline of action" – the deliberate, bold, and persistent steps required to transform obstacles into opportunities. It's not just about movement, but right and effective action aimed at specific goals. Like a baseball player choosing which pitches to swing at, we must be strategic about where we direct our energy rather than spinning our wheels like a hamster going nowhere.

What separates those who triumph over adversity from those who remain stuck? The answer isn't in what happens to us, but in what we do with what happens. We share real stories of people faced with unexpected job changes who chose to see opportunity rather than misfortune – creating momentum for themselves rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

The path forward becomes clear: no one is coming to save you, and complaining only creates the illusion of progress. True transformation begins when you take that first step, however imperfect it might be. As we prepare to explore persistence in our next episode, we invite you to consider: what meaningful action will you take today toward overcoming your obstacles?

Join us on this journey of growth and discovery. If you're finding value in these conversations, please share with others who might benefit and let us know how you're applying these principles in your own life.

Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

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