Ryan Holiday

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Earning your titles

  “I'm not saying that someone else gets to decide if you're a writer or not, but maybe, just maybe, you shouldn't call yourself a " social media expert " unless you get a paycheck with those words on it.”

  Our noteRyan discusses why people should avoid giving themselves unearned professional titles.

• Exceeding expectations

  “The goal is to add value to the idea and the thought by exceeding expectation when the question is given to you.”

  Our noteThe passage explains the mindset needed to differentiate oneself in a professional environment.

• Focus on control

  “To reset your life, the best place to start is with making this distinction and then choosing to focus on the things that are in your control.”

  Our noteRyan explains that focusing resources on what we can actually influence is the first step to a reset.

• Protecting peak energy

  “early calls and meetings don't just take time - they sap the energy needed for the essential work. I want to give my best self to my most important things.”

  Our noteRyan discusses why he refuses to schedule meetings during his most productive morning hours.

• Focus on control

  “I'm focusing on what I can control. Epictetus described this as our "chief task in life." We have to get real clear about what's up to us and what isn't.”

  Our noteRyan explains his primary strategy for navigating uncertain and turbulent times.

• Value of challenge

  “Interacting with stuff that challenges you or that provokes you either opens your mind or it serves as an inoculation...Both those things are good.”

  Our noteRyan discusses how reading difficult or controversial material builds intellectual resilience.

• Re-reading strategy

  “Reading a new translation of a book you've read (or love) is a great way to see the same ideas from a new angle.”

  Our noteRyan discusses the value of revisiting classic texts through different translations.

• Strategic Networking Lists

  “I don't want to publish my list because I think it would be a little creepy to let the people know that I'm coming for them but I did make one for myself.”

  Our noteRyan explains why he keeps his specific target list of people to meet private.

• Cultivate Adaptability

  “We must cultivate the capacity for change, for flexibility and adaptability . Continuously, constantly.”

  Our noteRyan emphasizes that flexibility is key to surviving changing circumstances.

• Trap of magical thinking

  “magical thinking kicks in. This will all be over soon, we convince ourselves. This one thing will solve all our problems.”

  Our noteRyan warns against the tendency to believe in easy fixes when facing difficult or scary situations.

• Sovereignty of self

  “When you let external factors validate your happiness, you lose the sovereignty of self.”

  Our noteRyan reflects on the danger of tying personal satisfaction to external success or permission.

• Value of degrees

  “there has been literally zero times where my lack of a degree has come up in the course of any business deal or project.”

  Our noteRyan reflects on how dropping out of college didn't affect his professional success.

• Handling Criticism

  “People are going to criticize you. They are going to resist or resent what you try to do. You're going to face obstacles”

  Our noteRyan discusses why people resist change and how to handle external opposition.

• Proving your worth

  “I realized that my job to be seen, not heard. Although I'm always ready to go at full speed, I had to accept that it was my duty to first prove that I was deserving of that responsibility.”

  Our noteRyan reflects on his early internship days and the need for professional restraint.

• Power of focus

  “If you want to be great at whatever it is you're doing, you have to make some choices about what you say yes to and what you say no to.”

  Our noteHoliday emphasizes the importance of saying no to non-essential tasks to achieve greatness.

• Incremental progress

  “"Well-being," Zeno said, "is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself."”

  Our noteHoliday quotes Zeno to illustrate that small daily gains lead to significant well-being.

• Entrepreneurial Advantage

  “You could also make the case that a healthy understanding of how hustlers create advantage, as compared to normal entrepreneurs, is increasingly important.”

  Our noteRyan discusses the importance of understanding different strategic approaches to business and competition.

• Essential Business Theories

  “I forgot that I said this but a long time ago I wrote that The Long Tail was a theory you HAD to be familiar with.”

  Our noteRyan reflects on foundational concepts that young professionals should master early in their careers.

• Avoiding easy paths

  “The path of least resistance is a terrible teacher. We can't afford to shy away from the things that intimidate us.”

  Our noteHe warns against the dangers of comfort and avoiding challenges.

• Cost of living

  “I realized the life I had envisioned for myself here in New York allowed for none of this. It was expensive, and it was restrictive.”

  Our noteRyan reflects on the trade-offs of living in a major business hub versus a more flexible environment.

• Evening review

  “The best way to improve is to review. So, each evening you should, like Seneca did, examine your day and your actions.”

  Our noteThe practice of reflecting on one's actions at the end of the day.

• Direct to Consumer

  “Fewer middlemen. Fewer impediments. No delays in getting to market.”

  Our noteThe core benefits of removing intermediaries in business and art.