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Published Oct 31, 2019

271: Ryan Holiday | Stillness Is the Key

Bestselling author Ryan Holiday delves into the art of thoughtful decision-making, the power of self-improvement, and finding success through stillness, offering profound insights on evaluating opportunities, balancing growth with criticism, and achieving contentment despite the pressures of ambition.
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  • Criticism

    Successful individuals often face criticism, and how they handle it can significantly impact their growth. and discuss the importance of processing feedback without letting it affect one's self-esteem. Ryan shares his approach to criticism, emphasizing the value of not engaging with every negative comment:

    The less you have of that, the better decisions you make and the less trouble you get yourself into.

    ---

    Jordan reflects on his journey of self-criticism, noting that while it's essential to strive for improvement, it's also crucial to avoid being overly harsh on oneself 1 2.

       

    Experience

    Learning from experiences, both personal and observed, is vital for personal and professional growth. highlights the importance of seeking knowledge from others, even when they are at the top of their field. He shares his admiration for sports coaches who continually seek improvement by learning from various sources. Ryan notes, "Most people think they're good at what they do and they're good enough," but the truly exceptional are those who constantly seek to learn more 3.

    It's not that it's bad, because it's not. And it's not that I'm wrong, because I'm usually not.

    --- Ryan Holiday

    Jordan adds that reviewing past work, despite its challenges, is a crucial step in recognizing areas for improvement and growth 4.

       

    Passion

    Discovering and pursuing one's true passions can lead to a fulfilling career and life. shares his journey of finding passion in writing, initially through marketing for authors, which eventually led him to become a successful writer. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's interests with their skills and market needs. Ryan advises against pursuing only the most glamorous roles, suggesting instead to explore various aspects of an industry to find the right fit 5.

    I love books. I love reading. I want to be around authors.

    --- Ryan Holiday

    reflects on his childhood interest in radio, which eventually led him to podcasting, illustrating how early passions can shape one's career path 6.

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