Lowercase stoicism Vs. Uppercase Stoicism | Angela Duckworth
The Daily Stoic
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Strategic Battle: Outwitting the Smoking Self
The key insight is that Thomas Shelling, a game theorist and smoker, realized that quitting smoking is like a war between two selves - the one that wants to smoke and the one that wants a healthy life. Shelling applied game theory to himself, strategizing to outwit his smoking self. He employed tactics like flushing cigarettes, giving money to a friend as a deterrent, and placing the alarm clock far away. This approach of outwitting oneself through strategic planning is highlighted as superior to relying solely on willpower. It emphasizes the importance of changing the situation strategically instead of trying to overpower the unwanted behavior, which leads to long-term success and a larger journey towards self-improvement.
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