The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks

Coping Flexibility: The Stoic Art of Picking Your Battles Wisely

Feb 16, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Donald Robertson, an expert on Stoicism and cognitive behavioral therapy, shares insights on coping flexibility—adapting responses based on circumstances. He explains the Stoic art of choosing battles wisely, referencing Epictetus’ lessons on knowing when to fight a lion. The conversation highlights how even Marcus Aurelius practiced martial arts, linking self-knowledge to sound decision-making. With practical wisdom, they explore how to face adversity effectively while maintaining a thoughtful approach to everyday challenges.

08:29

Episode guests

Donald Robertson

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Quick takeaways

Coping flexibility involves knowing when to assert oneself or remain silent, emphasizing the importance of context in decision-making.

Self-knowledge and practical wisdom are essential for evaluating personal strengths and weaknesses in order to choose appropriate challenges.

Deep dives

The Importance of Cognitive Flexibility

Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to view situations from different perspectives and adapt one's approach to problem-solving. This skill is closely tied to empathy and helps individuals break free from unhealthy thought patterns. An example discussed highlights the need to choose when to assert oneself versus when to remain silent, emphasizing that context matters in interpersonal interactions. Striking a balance in these situations is crucial, as consistently confronting issues can be counterproductive, and understanding when to engage is a mark of wisdom.

Understanding Cognitive Flexibility and Stoic Practice

2min

Choosing Your Battles Wisely: The Stoic Path to Coping Flexibility

6min

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How do you know when to speak up and when to stay silent? When to push forward and when to step back? In this conversation with Donald Robertson, we explore the concept of coping flexibility—the ability to adapt your response based on the situation.

Drawing from Stoicism, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and martial arts, we discuss:

📌 Key Topics in This Interview:

- What is coping flexibility, and why does it matter?
- The Stoic skill of picking your battles wisely.
- Epictetus’ lesson: How do you know if you can fight a lion?
- Why even Marcus Aurelius practiced martial arts.
- The role of self-knowledge in decision-making.
- How to build practical wisdom for facing adversity.

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