Let This Be Our Legacy | Robert Greene's Stoic Lessons (That Changed Ryan Holiday's Life)
Aug 6, 2024
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In this discussion, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes, legendary coach Bob Bowman, and basketball icon George Raveling share their insights on the true essence of competition. They emphasize integrity over victory, highlighting an inspiring story of a horseman who prioritized his horse's well-being. They explore the profound impact of mentorship and the art of mastery through reflection, along with the importance of facing mortality to live fully. Their stories reveal how stoic principles have shaped their lives and careers.
Compassion and integrity in competition, as shown by Shunzo Kido's sacrifice, outweigh the importance of winning and accolades.
The journey of apprenticeship and organizing insights through a commonplace book can significantly enhance personal growth and writing skills.
Deep dives
The True Meaning of Competition
Winning may be the primary focus of sports, particularly in events like the Olympics, but deeper values are often overshadowed. The story of Japanese equestrian Shunzo Kido, who sacrificed his chance at gold to save his struggling horse, illustrates that compassion and integrity hold greater significance in competition. Such acts of sportsmanship remind us that true greatness is measured not just by triumphs, but by how we treat others, especially those unable to advocate for themselves. This perspective challenges the obsession with accolades, urging athletes to honor personal principles over glory.
The Power of the Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship plays a crucial role in mastering skills, as evidenced by the speaker's experience learning from Robert Greene. Despite initial doubts about dropping out of college, the decision to apprentice under a successful writer transformed the speaker's career outlook. Through this journey, the effectiveness of keeping a commonplace book emerged, emphasizing the importance of organizing thoughts and insights to refine one's craft. This method not only contributes to personal growth but also enriches writing, allowing ideas to evolve and flourish over time.
Embracing Life's Challenges
Life's unpredictability often brings difficult experiences that can shape our personal narratives. The concept of viewing obstacles as opportunities is vital, particularly illustrated by Robert Greene's journey through a stroke and his subsequent recovery. This adversity highlights the Stoic lessons of resilience and the importance of confronting discomfort head-on to extract meaningful insights. Ultimately, embracing these challenges fosters a mindset that values growth, prompting individuals to live fully while recognizing the fleeting nature of existence.
Whenever the Olympics come around, we tend to place a big emphasis on winning and individual glory. But as the Stoics would remind us, itโs not winning that counts.