"'The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.' Marcus Aurelius wrote that 2,000 years ago. This workbook shows you exactly how to live it."
Does this sound familiar?
You know obstacles are supposed to be 'opportunities' but that feels like toxic positivity
When problems hit, your first instinct is avoidance or frustration, not action
You've read The Obstacle Is The Way but struggled to apply it systematically
Major setbacks derail you for weeks or months instead of days
You keep facing the same types of obstacles without learning from them
The Stoic approach to obstacles is powerful in theory. But when you're in the middle of a crisis — career setback, health problem, relationship breakdown — 'the obstacle is the way' sounds like a cruel joke. You need more than philosophy. You need a systematic process for extracting value from adversity. A repeatable system you can use every time life knocks you down.
There's a better way.
This workbook gives you that system. 12 structured exercises that walk you through any obstacle, from initial shock to strategic response to extracting lasting growth. Not journaling prompts or vague reflection questions — but a rigorous methodology I developed after rebuilding my life from scratch. The same process I used when I lost everything.
What changes when you have this
Reduce recovery time from major setbacks by 70% or more
Transform victim mindset into agency, even in situations beyond your control
Extract real, applicable lessons from every failure
Build genuine resilience that compounds over time
Face future obstacles with calm confidence instead of dread
What's inside
- ✦12 structured exercises with clear instructions (not open-ended journaling)
- ✦The Obstacle Analysis Framework: 5-step methodology for any adversity
- ✦Worked examples from my own catastrophic failures (losing $2M+, business collapse, addiction)
- ✦The Obstacle Log: ongoing tracking system to prevent repeat failures
- ✦Emergency Quick Start: 15-minute version for when you're in crisis and can't focus
What others say
"I got laid off in March. Instead of spiraling like I did last time, I sat down with this workbook. By April, I had a plan. By June, I had a better job paying 40% more. The difference was having a process."
"My business partner embezzled funds and bankrupted our company. Rock bottom. This workbook didn't make it hurt less — but it gave me structure when my mind was chaos. Essential."
No-Risk Guarantee
Take 30 days with this workbook. Apply it to a real obstacle in your life. If the process doesn't fundamentally change how you handle adversity, I'll refund you in full. I rebuilt from complete ruin using this methodology — I know it works.
The Obstacle Workbook
Turn every problem into progress
Instant PDF download · Lifetime access
Marcus Chan
Former consultant and CEO who lost over $2 million to gambling addiction. Found Stoicism at rock bottom. Rebuilt everything. Now teaches what actually works.