Trever Yarrish, owner and founder of Zeal Software and The Hiive co-working space, shares his journey with stoicism. They discuss the practicality of stoic principles, choosing authenticity over people-pleasing, exploring challenges and opportunities, challenging the status quo, radical acceptance, and the concept of wanting what you have.
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Quick takeaways
Implementing stoic principles in business involves incorporating core tenets into the company's values and mission statement.
Approaching goals with a focus on progress and actions rather than being attached to specific outcomes is key for a stoic business approach.
By reframing the concept of failure, a company can create space for innovation and develop a culture that supports and encourages calculated risk-taking.
Deep dives
Implementing Stoic Principles in Business
Implementing stoic principles in business involves incorporating core tenets into the company's values and mission statement. Encouraging reason and logic in decision-making, empowering employees to take responsibility for their thoughts, actions, and emotions, and focusing on what is within their control. Fostering a culture of self-improvement and personal growth, practicing mindfulness, and creating a positive and inclusive company culture are also important. Approaching goals with a focus on progress and actions rather than being attached to specific outcomes, and reframing failure as a normal part of the growth process are key elements of a stoic business approach.
The Importance of Setting Goals and Managing Expectations
In a stoic approach, goals are seen as a direction to move towards, not as an endpoint or measure of success. By emphasizing progress and the reverse engineering process, a company can empower employees to focus on the actions and efforts rather than being attached to specific outcomes. Redefining failure as a natural part of the growth process and tempering desires while overcoming fear allow for a more stoic perspective on goals and expectations. Adopting a mindset of constant learning and adjustment helps the company navigate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Failure
Fear and a fear of failure often hinder individuals and companies from taking risks and pursuing new opportunities. By embracing the concept of failure as essential to learning and growth, a stoic business can empower its employees to take action and make progress without being paralyzed by fear. Taking risks becomes an opportunity for growth and learning, rather than something to be avoided. By reframing the concept of failure, a company can create space for innovation and develop a culture that supports and encourages calculated risk-taking.
The Value of Being Present and Creating a Well-Oiled Machine
In a stoic company, practicing mindfulness and being present allow employees to focus on what they can control in the present moment. Creating a well-oiled machine involves setting a clear path and allowing employees to focus on the process rather than being overly attached to specific outcomes. This approach challenges the idea that success is solely measured by external validation and shifts the focus to personal growth and continuous improvement. By emphasizing the importance of the process and remaining present, a stoic company can create a positive and empowering work environment.
Control and Expectations
The podcast episode discusses the dangers of trying to control the reactions and expectations of others and the importance of focusing on what we can control, such as our thoughts, actions, and the meaning we assign to things. The hosts highlight how creating expectations based on what we think others want can lead to disappointment and a lack of fulfillment, whereas creating something we believe in and are proud of can bring a sense of satisfaction and joy, irrespective of the world's reaction. It emphasizes the need to let go of the desire to control outcomes and instead focus on our own actions and the process of creating.
The Power of Change and Authenticity
The podcast delves into the idea that real change and impact in the world come from individuals who challenge the status quo and are true to their own vision, even if it goes against societal expectations. It highlights examples of influential figures like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jesus Christ, who brought about positive change by confronting the existing systems and offering a different perspective. The episode also touches on the damaging effects of excessive control and conformity, particularly in totalitarian regimes, and suggests that fostering an environment that allows for creativity and individuality can lead to innovation and growth. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of authenticity and finding a balance between control and giving away power to create meaningful change.
Trever Yarrish is the owner and founder of Zeal Software and The Hiive co-working space. He is also a good friend and one of my favorite people to chat with about stoicism. He's an avid student of stoicism and brings many of the stoic principles and ideas into his companies as well as his personal life. We sat down and had a chat about life, work, family, and the importance of having a process for managing your mind and emotions.
