Ego Is the Enemy

While the book is interesting, it doesn't feel too original. Whereas books like Stolen Focus by Johann Hari include new nad interesting interviews with world-leading experts, this is mostly based on anecdotal stories which makes it less interesting (why would I want to be told about Kirk Hammet from a subjective viewpoint when I could have a journalist ask though-provoking questions to a world-leading scientist) and also less informative; it feels more like one is trying to repeat the same idea enough times for someone to believe that it is the objective truth.

However, this book is still a book worth reading and far from the worst of the self-help genre. There are many small notes I've made myself while reading this book, and I do have some main takeaways unlike other books where I struggle to find more than one minor takeaway.

I'd give it 3.5 but I can't seem to figure out how, so 3 it is.

I stumbled upon Ryan Holiday on YouTube and come back to watch his videos regularly. Stoicism has already been a big help to me. My brain thrives on being anxious about things I can't control. I also caught myself dealing with some ego issues this morning. Seemed like a great opportunity to give a listen to Ego is the Enemy.

After getting to know how Holiday puts his books together through his Daily Stoic videos, it's pretty much exactly what I expected. Lots of lessons from and quotes by famous folks. Nothing wrong with that and I did get some good info out of the book.

I think others can get a lot out of Holiday's knowledge and experience. This is mostly filled with stories of historically significant events and biographies that give the reader some great examples of how ego can seriously get in the way. There's other good stuff in there, too.

If that's what you're looking for, give it a listen or read it with your eyeballs. I'm used to the author's voice and mannerisms from all of the videos so I went with the audio and am happy with that choice.

NOT A REVIEW!! JUST A COLLECTION OF QUOTES AS I'M STILL YET READING THE BOOK.

"the greatest work and art comes from wrestling with the void, facing it instead of
scrambling to make it go away."

"They ignore the impulse to seek recognition before
they act. They don’t talk much. Or mind the feeling that others, out there in
public and enjoying the limelight, are somehow getting the better end of the
deal. (They are not.) They’re too busy working to do anything else. When they
do talk—it’s earned."

“To be or to do? Which way will you go?”

"Appearances are deceiving. Having authority is not the same as being an
authority. Having the right and being right are not the same either"

"Passion is about. (I am so passionate about __.) Purpose is to and for. (I
must do _. I was put here to accomplish . I am willing to endure
for the sake of this.) Actually, purpose deemphasizes the I. Purpose is
about pursuing something outside yourself as opposed to pleasuring yourself."

“Great passions are maladies without hope”

"Is an iterative approach less exciting than manifestos or epiphanies? Of course. Is it less
glamorous and bold than going all in and maxing out your credit cards because
you believe in yourself? Absolutely. Same goes for the spreadsheets, the
meetings, the trips, the phone calls, software, tools, and internal systems—and
every how-to article ever written about them and the routines of famous people.
Passion is form over function. Purpose is function, function, function."

"Imagine if for every person you met, you thought of some way to help them,
something you could do for them? And you looked at it in a way that entirely
benefited them and not you. The cumulative effect this would have over time
would be profound: You’d learn a great deal by solving diverse problems. You’d
develop a reputation for being indispensable. You’d have countless new
relationships. You’d have an enormous bank of favors to call upon down the
road"

"That’s what the canvas strategy is about—helping yourself by helping others."

"Pride takes a minor accomplishment and makes it feel like a major one. It
smiles at our cleverness and genius, as though what we’ve exhibited was merely
a hint of what ought to come."

"Appearances are deceiving. Having authority is not the same as being an
authority. Having the right and being right are not the same either"

"Passion is about. (I am so passionate about .) Purpose is to and for. (I
must do . I was put here to accomplish . I am willing to endure
___ for the sake of this.) Actually, purpose deemphasizes the I. Purpose is
about pursuing something outside yourself as opposed to pleasuring yourself."

“Great passions are maladies without hope”

"Is an iterative approach less exciting than manifestos or epiphanies? Of course. Is it less
glamorous and bold than going all in and maxing out your credit cards because
you believe in yourself? Absolutely. Same goes for the spreadsheets, the
meetings, the trips, the phone calls, software, tools, and internal systems—and
every how-to article ever written about them and the routines of famous people.
Passion is form over function. Purpose is function, function, function."

"Imagine if for every person you met, you thought of some way to help them,
something you could do for them? And you looked at it in a way that entirely
benefited them and not you. The cumulative effect this would have over time
would be profound: You’d learn a great deal by solving diverse problems. You’d
develop a reputation for being indispensable. You’d have countless new
relationships. You’d have an enormous bank of favors to call upon down the
road"

"That’s what the canvas strategy is about—helping yourself by helping others."

"Pride takes a minor accomplishment and makes it feel like a major one. It
smiles at our cleverness and genius, as though what we’ve exhibited was merely
a hint of what ought to come."