Books referenced

Ryan Holiday’s books

Letters from a Stoic - Seneca

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

Epictetus’s Enchiridion and Discourses

What if I told you there was a practical philosophy that could help you navigate your emotions so you could achieve more?

And what if I also told you it was over 2,000 years old?

By now, I am sure you have heard of Stoic philosophy.

It has been popularized largely in part by Ryan Holiday. He has written a number of books on Stoicism and is the modern-day expert on the topic.

At least he has written so much about the topic that his name is synonymous with Stoicism (start with The Obstacle is the Way, and then read his other books).

Stoic philosophy originated in ancient Greece and Rome and offers timeless principles that can help us achieve more by fostering resilience, focus, and clarity.

At its core, Stoicism reminds us to focus on what is in our control and to leverage that control to take action aligned with our values.

Are you acting in alignment with your values?

Or are you reacting out of emotion?

If you are like me and have struggled to face fear, live with purpose, and control your emotions, then Stoicism is worth reading about.

In this article, I will share with you some core principles in Stoicism so you can recognize what you can control and leverage these principles to achieve more.

A (Very) Brief History of Stoicism

Stocism was founded by Zeno of Citium around the year 300 BC. He was influenced by the teachings of Socrates and the Cynics, and he emphasized living in accordance with nature and reason.

While he founded the philosophy, there are three other individuals who are quite well known:

Seneca: A Roman statesman, playwright, and advisor to Emperor Nero, his writings on Stoicism are some of the most accessible and practical, dealing with themes such as resilience, virtue, and the importance of reason.

His book Letters from a Stoic is a must have on any Stoic’s shelf. The book is a collection of Seneca's reflections and advice on living a virtuous, contented life based on Stoic principles. Written in the form of personal letters to his friend Lucilius, the book is a cornerstone of Stoic literature and a source of practical wisdom.

Epictetus: A former slave who became a prominent Stoic teacher, Epictetus's teachings were recorded by his student Arrian in the Discourses and the Enchiridion. He emphasized the distinction between what is within our control and what is not.

His writing is a little more difficult to read than Seneca’s but is worth digesting.

Marcus Aurelius: The emperor of Rome between 161 and 180 AD, Aurelius is best known for his work Meditations, which was actually his diary reflecting his Stoic philosophy. His thoughts and writing focus on duty, rationality, and the importance of maintaining inner peace despite external chaos. He wrote (journalled) Mediations during the constant conflicts that Rome was engaged in.

He also constantly reminded himself of his own mortality… which is a common theme in modern day Stoicism.

Stoicism lost steam and popularity with the rise of Christianity but made its way back over time. Ryan Holiday’s writings have been a major boon for the topic over the last 10 years. Now, we can see stoic quotes all over social media. Stoicism is everywhere…

But for good reason.

Stoicism teaches four virtues that are interconnected and together form a comprehensive guide to living a virtuous and fulfilling life.

By cultivating wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, individuals can achieve inner tranquility, resilience, and a sense of purpose.

Doesn’t that sound awesome!

Let me give you a brief explanation of each of the 4 virtues.

Wisdom

Wisdom is defined as the ability to discern the true nature of things, make sound judgments, and act in accordance with reason and knowledge.

Wisdom involves understanding what is within our control and what is not, making informed decisions, and seeking knowledge and truth.

It encompasses practical wisdom, which is the application of knowledge to solve problems and navigate life's challenges.

Why should we care about wisdom?

We are emotional beings. Our feelings and reactions can color our perceptions. With wisdom, we can leverage our rational minds to navigate the world and not succumb to the whims of our feelings.

Our emotions are meant to protect us. In doing so, we tend to react to negativity and avoid things we fear.

But we all know that growth only happens outside our comfort zone.

Wisdom can help us take action if it is within our control.

Courage

Courage is the capacity to face fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation with confidence and resolve.

Courage is not just about physical bravery but also moral and emotional bravery. It involves standing up for what is right, enduring hardship, and maintaining integrity in the face of adversity.

Courage helps individuals to act according to their principles even when it is difficult.

Now, courage and vulnerability go hand in hand. As Brene Brown writes, there is no courage without vulnerability.

As mentioned above, we are emotional beings. We feel fear, worry, and uncertainty. We doubt ourselves.

But you know what the stoics say?

Don’t let the vulnerability control your actions.

Have courage.

Accept your fear, worry, and uncertainty, and control what is in your control… your actions.

Justice

Justice is the commitment to fairness, equality, and the welfare of the community.

It involves treating others with respect, giving people their due, and acting in a way that contributes to the common good (e.g. don’t live like an a**hole).

Justice requires recognizing and fulfilling our roles and responsibilities and striving to align our actions with our morals and ethics.

Again… living by our principles and not by the whims of our emotions.

With justice, we create a commitment to live in a way that does not negatively impact others.

This requires checking in on your actions and considering how they might impact others.

Temperance

Temperance is the practice of self-control, moderation, and balance in all aspects of your life.

It involves regulating your desires and impulses to avoid excess. Note again the main theme in this virtue. Control your actions in spite of your emotions. Control your emotions, appetites, reactions, and achieve a balanced and intentional life.

This virtue can help you stay focused.

Overindulgence is irrational and emotional and can have negative consequences. Drinking too much impacts our mental capacity. Eating too much impacts our health. Spending too much can make us a slave to our possessions.

Temperance is about navigating your emotions to take the right amount of action.

The Wrap Up

Stoicism is a philosophy that can help us live better.

Its teachings help us manage our emotions and own the things within our control.

On our journey in personal development, much of the challenges we fight have to do with overcoming our emotions to take actions that are better for our performance and wellbeing.

Want to lose weight? We battle the pleasant feelings that food provides.

Want to have that difficult conversation? We battle the fear that our mind conjures.

Want to lead your team? We battle the anxiety and pressure that comes with the responsibility.

Performance management is emotion and action management.

For that, Stoic philosophy is ideal for our learning and growth.

Wisdom. Courage. Justice. Temperance.

Leverage these 4 virtues to control your emotions and don’t let them control you.

Go read some more Stoicism.

And crush it!

Clark