Ego is the Enemy (2016) | Ryan Holiday

The title being the main message; Ryan Holiday tells stories of successes and failures by prominent individuals of history and from the recent period; and how everyone is susceptible to the pangs of Ego. When not careful, the same drives that sets us out to attain our successes can easily be the same mechanism that causes us to crash.

The book is divided into three parts; Aspire, Success and Failure. As it is with any human endeavour, we have always strived for better. Still, It takes a conscious mind to be able to catch one’s self when the sails are steering away from what truly matters.

In times when we aspire for better, it is of great character to be humble and learn. Once we’ve had our successes, the way to stumble is to be disrespectful and to believe our own hype. Instead, we should strive to be gracious and have an open mind, and that what we do is ultimately something beyond ourselves. Alas, when we faced with failures and setbacks; instilling values of resilience, patience and self-awareness helps us move forward in these dark times.

The book is heavily influenced by stoic principles; this is declared by the author himself.  A lot of other people mentioned makes for an interesting history lesson. I've never heard of the stories of William Tecumseh Sherman, a American general who declined power and remained humble; Orson Welles, who I’ve seen Citizen Kane but never knew that, a rich, powerful man for decades tried to boycott and actively surpressed Welles’ work because he thought the movie Citizen Kane was vilifying him. Orson Welles never became embittered. I’ve only registered of Angela Merkel's name being mentioned in big political news. The author puts it that she remains sober when other leaders are far too intoxicated with ego; and that she remains quiet and reserved with no flash or fiery speeches, while remaining a force for freedom and peace in modern Europe. Another would be of Belisarius, a Byzantine general who did great work and won key battles, is chastised by the emperor who he once saved. Nevertheless, Belisarius never complained even after all the ungratefulness and pettiness he was subjected to. He remained focused on what mattered.

One metaphor right around the end is about training. 
“Training is like sweeping the floor. Just because we’ve done it once, doesn’t mean the floor is clean forever,  every day the dust comes back, every day we must sweep“. 

The same goes for ego. If left unchecked, it can become unmanageable.

Popular posts from this blog

The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle (2018)

Image
TL;DR: Great cultures are built on Safety, shared Vulnerability, and an established Purpose In the self-help space, these things come up again and again: Safety, Purpose, Meaning. Whether in looking at leadership, or to an individual's path to success, happiness, well-being, the literature seems pretty set on what it sees upon as the standards. And this book falls in line with those standards. This book was great. Daniel Coyle is a great storyteller. When you can blend abstract ideas with concrete examples, and get a good balance, it gets digested much easier. This book reads pretty easily too. It seemed to be built to be simple and structured.
Read more

what ever happens, I'm happy now.

and i'm now 24. I'm still young enough to mess up and make up for lost time, but old enough to know not to. I try and look back at what my past 24 years has been. That's easier nowadays, i think. To look back, i n this day and age of social media.  Especially if you've documented every few days of what's happening with you.   But as they say, it's only the bright sides you see on social media. Which I believe is mostly true.  I think I've learned more importantly, that life isn't always the bright sides. Because really, it's not. Yes, to look on the bright side as a focus is a good thing. But to expect everything to be that is not. We will never have everything we want. There will always be failures. There will be disappointments. There will be bad days. But the idea is to never stop trying. because, what else is there? I think i'm more aware now than when I was younger. But i also think i don't know as much as when I would be olde...
Read more

In the Mood for Love (2000 - Hong Kong)

I can't remember now how many times I've seen In the mood for love. "If there's an extra ticket, would you go with me?"  Again, at missed connections. i think it's a bigger tragedy than unrequited love. A missed connection suggests that, a love could have flourished. both people want it, but for whichever reason, the connection never quite contacted. Looking deeper into the last few scenes. Mr. Chow, decides to leave for Singapore. Leaves a message for Mrs. Chan. "If there's an extra ticket, would you go with me?" Mrs. Chan, goes to their old hotel room and finds she's too late. 3 years later in Singapore, Mrs. Chan goes into Mr. Chow's apartment, looks at the room and phones Mr. Chow. She connects. He answers. She doesn't talk.  Why? Why doesnt she answer? She spent that whole time looking for Mr. Chow. We'll never know why. Sayang! 3 years later, Mrs. Chan returns to their old apartmen...
Read more