Ryan Holiday, a New York Times bestselling author and modern philosopher, shares insights on Stoicism's practicality for achieving success and emotional balance. He discusses his disciplined writing process, the importance of journaling for self-reflection, and the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism. Holiday emphasizes the dichotomy of control, the significance of swift decision-making, and learning from mistakes. His engaging perspective on balancing ambition and fulfillment in modern life makes for an enlightening conversation.
Stoicism offers practical guidance for navigating real-world challenges by focusing on what is within our control and choosing virtuous responses to adversity.
Managing emotions like anger through self-awareness and reflection is a key aspect of Stoicism that improves decision-making and personal growth.
Sustained success requires professionalizing and systematizing personal and professional endeavors, prioritizing long-term investments and sustainable habits.
Deep dives
Stoicism as a Practical Philosophy
Stoicism is a philosophy that is applicable to real-world scenarios, as it was practiced by active professionals in Athens and Rome. Its practicality is evident in the way it guided their decisions and actions. Stoicism originated from a merchant's experience of losing everything in a shipwreck and was rooted in the marketplace, where it faced limited attention from busy individuals. It offers a philosophy for navigating the challenges of the world.
The Stoic Teachings of Control and Response
One of the fundamental teachings of Stoicism is the dichotomy of control, which emphasizes the distinction between what is within our control and what is not. Stoics focus on directing their energy towards what they can control, such as their thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Additionally, they recognize that they have the power to choose how they respond to external events. Stoics view every situation as an opportunity to practice virtue and excel despite adversity.
Reflecting on Anger and Managing Mistakes
Stoicism underscores the importance of managing emotions such as anger, which can often lead to mistakes and regrets. Anger can cloud judgment, hinder rational thinking, and make people react impulsively. By cultivating self-awareness and considering the consequences of anger, one can break free from its grip. Stoic advice includes pausing before responding, reciting the alphabet, and allowing time to reflect and reassess. Stoicism reminds us that embracing reason and self-control can lead to better decision-making and personal growth.
The Importance of Insatiable Desire
High performers are differentiated by their insatiable desire for success, as seen in conquerors throughout history. They are never satisfied with their achievements and continually strive for more. The pursuit of public recognition and attention is often a driving force for successful individuals. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the people we admire and hear about are only a fraction of those who have achieved similar success but are relatively unknown. This highlights the survivorship bias and the importance of sustainable, long-lasting relationships and a balanced, healthy life.
The Necessity of Professionalization and Longevity
To sustain success over time, it is essential to professionalize and systematize personal and professional endeavors. This involves creating routines, building a team, and investing in one's physical and mental well-being. Professional athletes provide prime examples of the investments necessary for longevity, such as prioritizing recovery, having personal trainers, and organizing their lives to support their goals. Similarly, in other areas of life, commitment and consistency are key. Rather than making short-sighted decisions for immediate gains, it is important to consider the long-term impacts and prioritize sustainable habits and relationships that contribute to overall success and fulfillment.
Stoic philosopher and author Ryan Holiday shows us how to use the ancient philosophy to calm our mind and create a foundation for lasting success. Listen as Holiday takes us behind the scenes, revealing how he not only reads books and what he looks for, but his process for writing and retaining information he can later put to use. He also discusses what he writes and reads, why he journals, and the four virtues of Stoicism. Holiday is a New York Times bestselling author. He has written a combined 10 books, covering both the fundamentals of Stoicism as well as key elements of modern-day marketing and media, and his books have sold more than 2 million copies in 30 languages. His most recent release is entitled Courage is Calling. -- Want even more? Members get early access, hand-edited transcripts, member-only episodes, and so much more. Learn more here: https://fs.blog/membership/ Every Sunday our Brain Food newsletter shares timeless insights and ideas that you can use at work and home. Add it to your inbox: https://fs.blog/newsletter/ Follow Shane on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ShaneAParrish
