The James Altucher Show Ep. 171 - Ryan Holiday: The Powerful Enemy of Your Success
Jun 14, 2016
Ryan Holiday, a writer and marketing strategist known for his bestsellers on stoicism, discusses the transformative power of humility over ego. He shares insights from his latest book, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and self-awareness in personal growth. Holiday recalls a pivotal career moment, shedding light on how misunderstanding can impact self-esteem and professional paths. The conversation also highlights the difference between chasing financial success and finding fulfillment through purpose, stressing the value of authentic connections.
01:29:51
Early Career Arrogance
- Ryan Holiday used to be arrogant in his early career but now recognizes and works on it.
- His confidence came from knowing his stuff, not just ego.
Humility as a Success Strategy
- Cultivate humility by staying scared your success might be temporary.
- Be humble in your aspirations, gracious in success, and resilient in failures.
Email Leak Crisis
- Ryan faced a major crisis when private emails leaked, hitting the company's reputation.
- Instead of panicking, he focused on what to do next, embodying stoic resilience.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
From Ego to Empowerment
01:44 • 7min
Ego vs. Humility in Success
08:31 • 15min
Navigating Workplace Dynamics and Ego
23:34 • 10min
The Multidimensional Nature of Mastery and Growth
33:51 • 3min
Finding Fulfillment Beyond Financial Success
36:23 • 16min
Unpacking the Myths of Howard Hughes
51:58 • 2min
The Mad Genius: Howard Hughes' Decision-Making Dilemma
53:57 • 7min
The Pursuit of Purpose Over Passion
01:00:31 • 9min
Mastery and the Role of Ego in Personal Growth
01:09:12 • 19min
The Enduring Power of Backlist Titles in Publishing
01:28:10 • 2min
#29
• Mentioned in 213 episodes
The 48 laws of power
Robert Greene
In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws.
These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T.
Barnum.
The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation.
Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.
#67
• Mentioned in 141 episodes
The Power of Now
A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Eckhart Tolle
In 'The Power of Now', Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of living in the present moment to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
The book draws from various spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and mysticism, to explain how people's emotional problems are rooted in their identification with their minds.
Tolle argues that the present moment is the only truly real time and that past and future are mere mental constructs.
He provides methods for relaxation and meditation to help readers anchor themselves in the present, such as avoiding multitasking, spending time in nature, and letting go of worries about the future.
The book also introduces concepts like the 'pain-body' and the distinction between one's thoughts and true self, emphasizing the need to recognize and separate from the destructive influence of the mind.
#11331
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Fighter's Mind
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Robert J. Kohlenberg
#1382
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Growth Hacker Marketing
Ryan Holiday
In this book, Ryan Holiday explains how the marketing landscape has changed and introduces the concept of growth hacking.
He argues that traditional marketing methods are no longer effective and presents a new approach that emphasizes achieving product-market fit, targeting specific groups, and creating viral growth through scalable and trackable methods.
The book includes case studies from companies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Airbnb, highlighting how these businesses achieved massive growth without traditional marketing.
Holiday stresses the importance of continuous product optimization and user feedback to drive exponential growth.
#97
• Mentioned in 116 episodes
Mastery
Robert Greene
In 'Mastery', Robert Greene argues that mastery is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed through a rigorous process.
The book outlines several key stages: finding your life's task, undergoing an ideal apprenticeship, finding the right mentor, acquiring social intelligence, and fusing intuitive with rational thinking.
Greene draws on the lives of historical and contemporary masters such as Mozart, Einstein, and Temple Grandin to illustrate his points.
He emphasizes the importance of deep practice, self-directed learning, and the ability to read and navigate social dynamics.
The book challenges the conventional notion of genius as a genetic gift and offers practical steps for anyone to achieve mastery in their chosen field.
#1203
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Choose Yourself
James Altucher
In 'Choose Yourself,' James Altucher argues that the traditional paths to security such as college, employment, and retirement are no longer viable.
He advocates for individuals to take control of their own lives, focusing on building physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
The book provides actionable steps for personal growth and creating a fulfilling career and life on one's own terms.
Altucher emphasizes the importance of doing what you enjoy, surrounding yourself with positive people, and continually expanding your horizons to achieve success and happiness.
#37
• Mentioned in 191 episodes
Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success.
The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives.
Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers.
The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.
#199
• Mentioned in 70 episodes
Trust Me, I'm Lying
Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Ryan Holiday
In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets.
The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business.
Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation.
He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.
#8
• Mentioned in 351 episodes
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
"You used to be arrogant," I said. He didn't know. I later decided it's arrogant to call someone arrogant on your podcast. Or anywhere else. I had a lot to learn. It's a good thing we had 90 minutes left in the studio. And dinner plans after. "I'm sure other people must have told you that around that time," I said, referring to when we first met a few years ago. My podcast guest, Ryan Holiday, dropped out of college at age 19. By age 22, he was the director of marketing for American Apparel. Twitter, YouTube, and Google all use his work as case studies. Now he's 28, a writer and owns his own business. When I sold my first company, it completely destroyed me. I know where I went wrong. Ryan's new book, "Ego is the Enemy," helped explain why. In this episode, I'll tell you what I learned. And how you can avoid making the same common mistake. Consider this interview a cheat sheet. Listen now.
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