Golden Nuggets:
Habits and Compromise
“Once you start compromising, well, now you’re compromised “
💡 This is an interesting perspective because it is true in a way. The idea that habits can sometimes form unintentionally, and we may not even realize that we’ve adopted them, is a compelling one.
The Greats Could Have Been Greater
Even the greats could have been greater.
💡Ryan gives the example of Babe Ruth and the possibility of leaving potential on the table. When we look at the information we have today on health and fitness, we can easily see that some of his habits and routines suggest he could have been an even greater athlete and did, in fact, leave a lot on the table.
Building Muscle, Building Willpower
As you’re building muscle, you’re also building willpower.
💡There is something about working out and pushing yourself past your limits. I remember when I started to work out more, my thoughts were, “How do people enjoy this?” Luckily, I had friends that helped me push through my pain. It took several months to actually enjoy a workout. I never thought about this, but in a way, you are training your willpower by having your body do more than what it is used to.
Self-Mastery and Discipline
By being a little hard on ourselves, it makes it harder for others to be hard on us. By being strict with ourselves, we take away others’ power over us.
💡The quote that stood out to me the most in the book is both simple and complex, as it requires a significant amount of self-mastery and discipline. Regardless of our roles, whether as a mother, an artist, or a bodybuilder, there is often an underlying perfectionist mindset that drives us to strive for continuous improvement and feel that we could always do better.
The Richness of Desire
The less you desire, the richer you are, the freer you are, the more powerful you are. It’s that simple.
💭This reminds me of the story of Diogenes and Alexander the Great. The story of Diogenes and Alexander the Great goes as follows:
One day, Alexander heard about Diogenes and his reputation as a wise man. He was intrigued and decided to visit him. When Alexander arrived, he found Diogenes sitting in a barrel, which he used as his home.
Alexander approached Diogenes and asked him if there was anything he could do for him. Diogenes replied, “Yes, you can move out of my sunlight.” Alexander was taken aback by the philosopher’s blunt response, but he was also impressed.
Alexander then asked Diogenes if there was anything else he wanted. Diogenes replied, “Yes, you can stop blocking my view.” Alexander was even more surprised but amused by Diogenes’ response.
Alexander was impressed by Diogenes’ fearlessness and his rejection of worldly possessions. He then asked Diogenes if there was anything he could do for him, to which Diogenes replied, “Yes, you can step out of my light.”
Keep in mind that at the moment, Alexander was one of the most powerful men in the world.
Resisting the Siren Song
Most ambitious leaders could not ignore the siren song . . . Washington could.
💭The famous siren song: It is said that everyone’s song is different, but in the end, we all hear something we deeply desire. Washington embraced self-discipline and resisted the lure of power. He could have done anything, and the world we know today could have been entirely different.
Paying Attention to the Small Stuff
A leader must sweat the small stuff but also must know what stuff matters only to small people.
💡Paying attention to the details can have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives, such as marriage, employees, and business. As the saying goes, “the devil is in the details,” reminding us of the importance of understanding and addressing even the small factors that could make a difference in the outcome. It is easy to forget about the small things when we are constantly working on the big picture, but doing so could lead to missed opportunities or potential problems.
Final Note :
💭Ryan Holiday writes about Elizabeth II, and a part of me was glad he did. Side note I am personally glad to have lived during her reign. The amount of discipline and self-control she exhibited on a daily basis is truly awe-inspiring. Here in the United States, we have a president elected every four years. Just to avoid the current leader from being tempted to take advantage of the power they hold
Quotes :
One thing a day adds up. Each day adds up.
A weak mind must be constantly entertained and stimulated. A strong mind can occupy itself and, more important, be still and vigilant in moments that demand it.
let’s not rush into this. As in, let’s not fix what isn’t broken. Let’s take all things, including change, slowly.
A leader can’t make decisions on impulse. They must lead from somewhere more rational, more controlled than that.
Don’t just think about what a certain pleasure will give, think about what it will take out of you.
A leader must be selfless, they must sacrifice, they must face the same deprivations as everyone else in the organization.
I do recommend to check out his website for more information on this book.
clink the link for his books
Book Review 4.5 Stars
Erika Funny 
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