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Seneca - "Why Do You Postpone Yourself?" | A Conversation with Atesh Atici & William Mulligan

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Nov 9, 2024

Guest

Atesh Atici

In a compelling discussion, Atesh Atici, the mind behind 'Accepting the Universe', teams up with William Mulligan to explore self-postponement. They tackle the question, "Why do you postpone yourself?" and unpack the mental chains that hold us back from happiness and growth. Atesh shares practical Stoic wisdom on living fully in the present and emphasizes the power of simplicity and honesty. They also discuss the role of introspection and virtues in personal growth, urging listeners to confront mortality as a pathway to a more meaningful life.

01:19:57

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Episode notes

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ADVICE

Stop Postponing Yourself

Stop postponing your life for future conditions and reclaim small pockets of time now.
Progress matters more than perfection, so use even 30–60 minutes daily for what you value.

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ADVICE

Win The Day Moment By Moment

Break big goals into tiny actionable steps like "get out of bed" or "write for two minutes."
Treat moment-by-moment decisions as the real arena of progress.

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ADVICE

Front-Load The Important Tasks

Build routines that remove friction for desired actions, e.g., set a fixed wake time and front-load priorities.
Accept natural resistance but act anyway to create momentum.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Embrace the Present: Overcoming Self-Postponement

02:37 • 18min

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The Quest for Simplicity and Honesty

21:04 • 7min

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The Interconnectedness of Virtues and Personal Growth

28:33 • 5min

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The Journey to True Self: Stoicism and Introspection

33:56 • 34min

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Embracing Mortality: The Stoic Perspective on Death

01:07:55 • 4min

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Exploring Mortality and Community Through Documentary

01:12:12 • 2min

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Prioritizing What Matters: A Journey Towards Personal Growth

01:13:57 • 6min

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In this thought-provoking episode, William delves into the concept of self-postponement with Atesh Atici, the influential voice behind the popular channel, 'Accepting the Universe'. Inspired by a powerful question from Seneca’s letters, "Why do you postpone yourself?", Atesh unpacks why so many of us put our lives on hold, waiting for a future that often never comes.

Together, we explore how this question has resonated with millions and shaped our understanding of personal growth. Why do we delay our happiness? Why do we feel compelled to earn or achieve before allowing ourselves to live fully? Atesh shares practical wisdom and Stoic insights on breaking free from these mental chains, encouraging us to act decisively and be present in the moment.

We discuss the universal and timeless nature of Stoic teachings and draw connections to other philosophies and practices, from Daoism to cognitive behavioural therapy. Atesh also explains how small, intentional steps — like simplifying our lives, focusing on our virtues, and developing a healthier relationship with time — can transform the way we live.

Tune in to discover how you can stop postponing your potential and start living a more intentional, fulfilling life today.

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