2020

As we wind down this most incredible year, it is with gratitude and optimism that I share a book that has become a prominent guidepost in my life. The Obstacle is the Way, The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday has a simple, yet compelling premise: While countless books have been written on how to achieve and enhance success, very few offer a grounded process on how to think about, treat, and triumph over obstacles.

At its core, Obstacle is the Way is a fresh and modern presentation of how the ancient Greek philosophy, Stoicism, influenced some of the greatest figures in history. From Amelia Earhart to Ernest Shackleton, Viktor Frankl to Martin Luther King, and Thomas Edison to Steve Jobs, these extraordinary people, when faced with unimaginable horrors and seemingly insurmountable challenges, transformed their impediments into fuel for their determination. Told through stories, this book breaks down the thought processes and actions shared by all of them.

I discovered Obstacle back in 2015 and have re-read it every year since. I never would have thought that I would get to stress test its lessons in a global pandemic. For me, the most valuable Stoic concept is the Circle of Control: the idea that we don't control the world around us, but only our response to it. Throughout this year, I worked to stay in the present moment and focus my work and energy into what I could improve each day. There were, and currently are, nonstop stumbles. Fortunately, as the Stoics say, we get to utilize today's lessons tomorrow.