The Daily Stoic Tie Yourself to the Mast | Ask Daily Stoic
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Dec 11, 2025 Discover how tying yourself to the mast, like Odysseus, can help you resist temptations and distractions. Dive into a 21-day challenge designed to promote accountability and strengthen your habits. Ryan discusses the importance of turning trauma into growth and how Stoic principles can ease everyday frustrations. Explore the connection between Viktor Frankl's logotherapy and Stoicism. Learn why Stoicism is gaining traction in today's world and find tips on teaching these timeless principles to younger generations.
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Odysseus’ Original Commitment Device
- Odysseus tied himself to the mast to avoid steering toward the sirens and live to tell the tale.
- Ryan Holiday uses this story to illustrate the original commitment device protecting us from our weaker selves.
Knowledge Isn’t Enough Against Temptation
- Knowing what's right isn't enough because temptation overwhelms knowledge in the moment.
- Wisdom is recognizing your weakness and designing systems to bypass it.
Use Commitment Devices To Protect Habits
- Use commitment devices to constrain your future choices when willpower will fail.
- Ryan Holiday recommends joining structured programs so you don't rely on raw discipline to change habits.
