Turning Adversity Into Advantage
During the global lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I stumbled upon a book that would shape the way I approach challenges for the rest of my life: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday.
At a time when the world stood still, this book reminded me to move forward.
Drawing from ancient Stoic philosophy, Holiday reframes obstacles not as roadblocks, but as stepping stones. Inspired by the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, the book challenges you to rethink adversity — not as something to be avoided, but something to be used.
One line from Marcus Aurelius perfectly captures this mindset:
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
That quote hit me hard. I stopped seeing the lockdown as lost time and started viewing it as an opening — a chance to invest in myself and my goals. I doubled down on building my business, improved my software, started learning to surf, and launched a blog. None of that would’ve happened if I’d just waited for life to return to normal.
Holiday emphasizes clarity in chaos — keeping your emotions in check, focusing on what’s within your control, and moving forward with deliberation, boldness, and persistence. That line became a mantra for me. Whenever things felt overwhelming, I repeated it and got back to work.
The book also tells a powerful Zen-inspired parable: a king, frustrated by his people’s complacency, places a massive boulder in the road. Most citizens avoid it, grumbling. But one determined peasant stops, finds a branch, and uses it as a lever to move the rock. Underneath, he discovers a purse of gold coins and a note from the king — a reward for turning effort into opportunity.
That story, like the rest of the book, is simple but profound: within every obstacle lies the seed of transformation.
More than just a self-help book, The Obstacle is the Way is a manual for resilience — something we all needed in 2020, and something we’ll always need moving forward. It’s a reminder that setbacks aren’t dead ends… they’re detours that can take us somewhere even better.
I’ve carried this philosophy with me ever since — in business, in training, in everyday life. Whether it’s a technical issue, a physical injury, or a personal setback, I try to look it in the eye and ask: How can I grow from this?
This book didn’t just help me survive the pandemic. It helped me level up.
If you’re facing anything difficult — or if you’re simply human — read The Obstacle is the Way. Your mindset will never be the same.