MM#7--Functional Optimism + the Obstacle is the Way = A Flourishing Life

Unknown 0:06
Welcome to the theory to action podcast where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time to help you take action immediately, and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life. Now here's your host, David Kaiser.

Unknown 0:24
Hello, I'm David and welcome back to another Mojo minute in the great book, The Big Picture 11 laws that will change your life by p90x, creator Tony Horton, we learned about what Tony calls functional optimism, and I love this concept. Let's go to the book to unpack it. In this great negative wisdom, quote, so when obstacles show up, it's important to recognize the need to deal with them. Realistically, with the plan, but one that is born from a positive mindset. I call this functional optimism, and it's a key component of achieving your big picture goals. It's not about knowing everything can work out. It's about knowing that everything will work out because you're going to do whatever you need to do to make it happen, unquote, that is functional optimism. We know life is not about avoiding the obstacles, it's about overcoming them. And this nugget of wisdom. Regarding functional, optimism, also dovetails perfectly with another great quote from Marcus Aurelius now really this was a second century Roman Emperor. And he was kind of a stoic philosopher as well. He gives us this famous quote, our actions may be impeded. But there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions, because we can accommodate and adapt the mind adapts and converts to its own purposes. the obstacle to our acting, the impediment to action, advances action, what stands in the way, becomes the way, unquote. Now let's think about that last statement the impediment to action advances action, What stands in the way, becomes the way. That reminds me of the great quote. And there actually is a great book by Ryan Holiday, the obstacle is the way that he tells us, quote, so that under pressure and trial we get better. We become better people, leaders and thinkers, because those trials and pressures will inevitably come, and they won't ever stop coming. But don't worry, you're prepared for this now. This life of obstacles in adversity. You know how to handle them, how to brush aside obstacles, and even benefit from them. You understand the process. So let's say at once again just to remind ourselves see things for what they are. Do what you can and door, and bear when you must. Well block the path is now the path. What once impeded action advances action, and the obstacle is the way, unquote. So today's Mojo minute let us use Tony's functional optimism knowing that everything which can work out, will work out because in putting theory to action. We understand that the path once blocked is now the path opened up for us. Here's to getting our mojo on and using that functional optimism to overcome those obstacles along our paths, and ultimately to flourish in our lives.

Unknown 4:06
Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoyed this theory to action podcast, be sure to check out our show page, AT T Mojo academy.com where we have everything we discussed in this podcast, as well as other great resources. Until next time, keep getting your mojo.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai