New York Times Bestseller #1! Amazon's Best Seller for 20 consecutive weeks, Wall Street Journal Bestseller, and a must-read book of 2020 according to Forbes, The Obstacle Is the Way author Ryan Holiday's masterpiece! "The stillness Ryan speaks of is more important than ever in this chaotic time." -Mark Manson, bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck "No matter who you are, this book will open the door to a less anxious, healthier, and more productive life and career for you." -Arianna Huffington, Chair of the Huffington Post Media Group From Confucius, Jesus, Buddha, John Stuart Mill, Marcus Aurelius, Winston Churchill to Tiger Woods, Shawn Green, and Anne Frank, the secret weapon of those who lead ahead is stillness. The Obstacle Is the Way, The Daily Stoic, and other self-help books based on Stoic philosophy have established a new paradigm in this field, and Ryan Holiday's new work does just that. A former marketing director of American Apparel, columnist, speaker, and author of numerous bestsellers, Ryan Holiday is a young writer gaining attention in the U.S. His new book Stillness: The Key to Unlocking Your Potential quickly rose to #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list upon its release in the U.S., became a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, was included in Forbes' list of must-read books of 2020, and has maintained consistent popularity, remaining a bestseller on Amazon for 20 weeks. In The Obstacle Is the Way, Ryan Holiday pointed out the dangers of ego at pivotal moments in life. Through exploring those who have achieved success in their fields, he discovered an important truth: successful individuals possess the power to navigate the noise around them, demonstrating insight, wisdom, focus, and creativity to tackle the problems at hand, steering their lives and work in a better direction. That power is stillness, or inner peace. Stillness is the key that holds the answers to all problems and unlocks the potential within us. French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal said, "All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." In Stillness, Ryan Holiday examines great thinkers, politicians, artists, and athletes throughout history who have left remarkable legacies, all of whom sought stillness amidst the noise inside and out. Winston Churchill painted in his spare time despite his busy public duties, baseball player Shawn Green overcame a long slump not by pushing himself with impatience but by embracing the Zen philosophy of clearing his mind. Microsoft’s Bill Gates spends a week in the woods alone twice a year to deeply reflect on the problems before him and recharge, thereby redefining the direction he needs to take and returning to his duties as a businessman and philanthropist. We too face various problems in our daily lives and experience negative situations. When confronted with such circumstances, the multitude of voices inside and outside can cloud our judgment and erode our spirit. In those moments, finding the hidden stillness within us allows us to think clearly and make wise decisions even in difficult situations. We can also manage our emotions, set appropriate goals, and handle burdensome situations effectively. We can cultivate good habits, maintain healthy relationships, and become competent individuals. Thus, stillness is the key to solving nearly all problems we encounter in life. It is the key that opens all our potential to become better parents, artists, investors, athletes, scientists, and human beings. Ryan Holiday further argues in Stillness that to discover the stillness within us, we must focus on three areas: the realm of the mind, where we feel, think, and judge; the realm of the soul, which moves the heart; and the realm of the body, which acts as the executor of the mind and soul. In other words, we must concentrate on the unchanging trio of head, heart, and body. To find the hidden stillness within us, Ryan Holiday advises us to distance ourselves from the distractions that disturb our minds in the mental realm. He encourages limiting the flood of information and focusing on the present, clearing our minds, and seeking silence and wisdom. He emphasizes the need to let go of ego and gain confidence, stating that we will achieve what we desire when we relinquish stubborn will. For example, Napoleon had a habit of checking letters that came to him three weeks later, knowing that truly important information would still be significant after three weeks, while less important matters would have resolved themselves in the meantime. Anne Frank was able to maintain her center in a painful reality by writing in her diary, and composer John Cage found the true sounds he needed to hear through silence and created his works. Archery master Awa Kenzo trained his students to let go of their will to hit the target, and artist Marina Abramović highlighted the importance of focusing on the present through her work The Artist Is Present. Epictetus said, "If we were to be paralyzed physically, we would be terrified and do anything to avoid it, but we pay no attention to our souls being paralyzed." The author states that to achieve a better life and true fulfillment, we must distance ourselves from anger, jealousy, and vain desires, and reconcile with our inner child in the realm of the soul. He also emphasizes the pursuit of virtue and finding beauty in the world while nurturing the soul within good relationships. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci left behind outstanding works but sought a patron who would absolutely protect and support him as an adult due to not being recognized by his father in childhood. Michael Jordan, unable to manage his anger, embarrassed himself with a speech filled with accusations and resentment upon being inducted into the Hall of Fame. John F. Kennedy, despite his remarkable achievements as a politician, left a fatal blemish on his political life due to his inability to control his misguided sexual desires. In contrast, novelist Joseph Heller wrote continuously new works, taught students, and produced a productive life by being content with what he had without comparing himself to others' successes. The final area Ryan Holiday focuses on is the realm of the body. The author states that merely thinking or praying for a better soul will not lead to a successful life. We can find the stillness within us only when we take action with our bodies. Philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard, who always found inner peace through walking, Fred Rogers, who could be free within daily routines, and Winston Churchill, who built walls and painted even while in public office, all illustrate the importance of creating routines and having hobbies. The case of American Apparel, which collapsed due to the flawed strategy of leader Dove Charney, emphasizes the importance of sufficient sleep. Additionally, he encourages us to protect ourselves by discarding unnecessary possessions and sometimes saying "no, I cannot" while courageously practicing good deeds for a better life. None of us living in modern times are free from crises. We are overwhelmed by various tasks and an influx of information, facing numerous life problems. While the degree may vary, we all find ourselves in a state of noise, anxiety, and chaotic daily life. In Stillness, Ryan Holiday presents solutions to awaken our potential and insight, enabling us to live a less anxious, more productive, and better life.