Bestselling author and stoic philosopher, Ryan Holiday, shares his wisdom on how to use ancient philosophy to calm the mind and create a foundation for lasting success.
He delves into his reading and writing habits, the importance of journaling, and the principles of Stoicism.
Separating Quality from Commercial Success
The quality of work should be separated from its commercial success.
The focus should be on whether the work aligns with the creator’s intentions and whether they are proud of it, rather than its commercial success.
Reading as a Catalyst for Writing
Reading is a significant catalyst for the writing process.
It provides material for the next book, creating a system that is always in motion.
Reading requires stillness, focus, concentration, and a deliberate choice, all of which are essential for a successful writing process.
Public Perception and Reality
Public perception often magnifies certain aspects of people’s lives while overlooking others.
We often feel jealous of others based on a small sliver of their lives that we see, without considering the whole picture.
Stoicism as a Practical Philosophy
Stoicism is a practical philosophy that teaches the dichotomy of control, distinguishing between what is up to us and what is not.
Any energy spent on things not under our control is wasted.
We primarily control our thoughts, opinions, actions, and beliefs.
If you’re gonna have an opinion, you have to be able to argue the other side of it better than the other person can argue it. You have to be able to walk around the problem in this three-dimensional way which means you have to understand other people’s perspective into that. – Ryan Holiday
The Power of Consistent Writing
Consistency is a crucial element in writing.
Writing every day leads to a steady flow of work and having the next idea ready before the current one is finished keeps the writer focused and motivated, eliminating any existential angst about what to do next.
My three goals are: I want to be a great writer, I want to have a great marriage, and then I want to be a great father. And so those three goals have to be in constant relationality to each other because they really only matter if they are done in concert with each other. – Ryan Holiday
Grasping the Concept of Opportunity Cost
Grasping the concept of opportunity cost is vital.
Every time we say yes to something, we are saying no to something else.
Overcommitment can lead to a decrease in quality over time and potential loss of future opportunities.
Correlation Between Success and Imbalance
There is a correlation between extraordinary success and imbalance in individuals.
Those who achieve far-right tale success often have corresponding vices or weaknesses.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the survivorship bias, where we often overlook those who have achieved success without the need for public adulation or attention.
The Importance of Balance in Life
Balance in life is important.
The insatiable desire for success often comes at the expense of other aspects of life, such as personal relationships and health.
It’s crucial to consider the long-term implications of our actions and decisions.
Learning from Diverse Perspectives
Understanding different perspectives, even those we disagree with, is important.
To form an opinion, one must understand the opposing argument better than the opponent.
This approach strengthens the argument and provides a three-dimensional understanding of the problem.
Setting Harmonious Goals
Setting goals that are in harmony with each other is essential.
Focusing on one goal at the expense of others can lead to imbalance and dissatisfaction.
Goals only matter if they are done in concert with each other.
Understanding Trade-offs
Understanding trade-offs is crucial.
Professional success often comes at the expense of personal life, and it’s only in retrospect that one realizes that it might have been a bad trade.
It’s important to consider the long-term implications of our actions and decisions.
Guarding Time for Creativity
Time is a precious resource that needs to be guarded for creativity to flourish.
An empty calendar should be seen as time spent on creative work.
Understanding the cost of saying yes to things and the importance of saying no helps maintain focus and productivity.
