The Daily Stoic Make Sure You Write Down Everything Interesting That You Find | Just Say No to Future Misery
Aug 23, 2021
Discover how General James Mattis learned the importance of recording intriguing thoughts and ideas. Explore Seneca's insights on the dangers of hope and the value of living in the present. Delve into the relationship between fear and hope, emphasizing acceptance to achieve inner peace. Gain practical advice for daily reflection to apply Stoic principles in your life. The conversation blends philosophy with actionable steps for personal growth and contentment, promoting mental clarity and emotional resilience.
09:15
Record Interesting Findings
- Write down everything interesting you find.
- Turn words and phrases into actions.
Mattis's Books of Wisdom
- General Mattis kept meticulous notes in notebooks.
- He organized his wisdom into "books of wisdom."
Turn Words into Works
- Seek out helpful teachings and noble sayings.
- Learn them so well that words become works.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 4min
Embracing the Present: The Stoic Path to Avoiding Future Misery
04:12 • 2min
Embracing the Present: The Stoic View on Hope and Despair
06:30 • 2min
Embracing the Present: The Stoic Approach to Fear and Hope
08:40 • 2min
Four Thousand Weeks
Time Management for Mortals
Oliver Burkeman
In 'Four Thousand Weeks', Oliver Burkeman offers a contrarian approach to time management by focusing on the finite nature of human life.
Assuming an average lifespan of 80 years, the book calculates that we have approximately 4,000 weeks to live.
Burkeman argues against the modern fixation on productivity and efficiency, instead advocating for embracing the limits of time and prioritizing what truly matters.
The book draws on insights from ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers to help readers construct a more meaningful life by accepting and working within the constraints of time.
It addresses issues such as the efficiency trap, the pitfalls of convenience culture, and the importance of living in the present while acknowledging the unpredictability of the future.
Call Sign Chaos
Learning to Lead
Jim Mattis
Bing West
Call Sign Chaos is a memoir that chronicles General Jim Mattis's career from his early days as a Marine recruit to his role as a four-star general and Secretary of Defense.
The book is divided into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership.
Mattis recounts his foundational experiences, extracting lessons on warfighting, peacemaking, the importance of allies, and strategic dilemmas.
He emphasizes the need for America to return to a strategic footing to avoid fighting inconclusive wars.
The book offers a unique leadership philosophy developed through constant study and action, making it relevant for both military and civilian leaders.
Moral Letters to Lucilius
Seneca
Seneca's "Moral Letters to Lucilius" is a collection of personal letters offering guidance on Stoic philosophy and practical living.
The letters cover a wide range of topics, including virtue, happiness, death, and the pursuit of wisdom.
Seneca's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex philosophical ideas understandable to a wider audience.
The letters offer both theoretical discussions and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for those seeking self-improvement.
Their enduring relevance lies in their timeless wisdom and their focus on living a meaningful life.
Discourses
Epictetus
The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of informal lectures written down by his pupil Arrian around 108 AD. The philosophy of Epictetus is intensely practical, directing students to focus on their opinions, anxieties, passions, and desires to distinguish what is within their control from what is not.
The teachings aim to make people free and happy by living virtuously and 'according to nature.
' The Discourses cover a wide range of topics, including friendship, illness, fear, and poverty, and how to acquire and maintain tranquility.
They are set in Epictetus' classroom in Nicopolis and reflect his earnest and often humorous style of teaching.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
The Choice
Edith Eager
The Daily Stoic Journal
Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
This journal is designed to help readers apply Stoic principles to their daily lives.
It features space for morning and evening notes, weekly explanations of powerful Stoic practices, related quotations, and daily prompts to inspire deeper reflection and application.
Created with a durable, Smyth-sewn binding and including resources for further reading, it is a companion volume for those who love 'The Daily Stoic' and can also be used as a stand-alone journal.
It aims to help readers achieve inner peace, clarity, and effectiveness in their lives.
The true believer
Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
Eric Hoffer
Published in 1951, 'The True Believer' is a landmark work in social psychology that provides a visionary and provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of mass movements.
Hoffer argues that ideologies are interchangeable for true believers, who are driven by personal frustrations and a desire for certainty and belonging.
The book is highly relevant today, offering insights into political fanaticism, the rise of mass movements, and the dangers of unthinking adherence to any cause.
It has been praised for its concise and insightful analysis, making it a significant contribution to social thought.
“When he was young, James Mattis hitchhiked to San Francisco to meet Eric Hoffer, the philosopher most famous for his book, The True Believer, and as Mattis said, “Eric was the one who told me, ‘Make sure you write down everything interesting you find,’ and I have ever since.”
Ryan explains how you turn the words and phrases you come across into actions, and reads this week’s meditation from The Daily Stoic Journal, on today’s Daily Stoic Podcast.
GiveWell is the best site for figuring out how and where to donate your money to have the greatest impact. If you’ve never donated to GiveWell’s recommended charities before, you can have your donation matched up to $1,000 before the end of June or as long as matching funds last. Just go to GiveWell.org/STOIC and pick podcast and The Daily Stoic at checkout.
Sign up for the Daily Stoic email: https://DailyStoic.com/email
Follow us: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.