8 Stoic Habits for Becoming Your Best Self
Summary
TLDRThe video explores how Stoic philosophy emphasizes the importance of habits and routines in achieving a meaningful life. Drawing from ancient Stoics like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, it highlights practices such as waking up early, journaling, working with focus, reviewing the day, and embracing challenges. The concept of 'amor fati' or loving one's fate is central, as is the idea of negative visualization to prepare for adversity. The speaker also stresses the importance of living fully in the present and not postponing personal growth or important tasks.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Life is a reflection of your daily habits and choices; consistency in good habits moves you forward.
- 📅 The Stoics emphasized routine and discipline, starting with waking up early and journaling.
- 📝 Reflecting on the day's actions and considering improvements is key to personal growth, as Seneca advises.
- ⏳ Marcus Aurelius reminds us of the brevity of life, urging humility and a focus on good character and service to others.
- 💡 Walks are not just physical but mental exercises, allowing for gratitude and relaxation.
- ❤️ Amor Fati, or the love of fate, is about embracing challenges as opportunities to grow, not as misfortunes.
- 🛠 The Stoics recommend preparing for negative outcomes to mitigate their effects, rather than expecting everything to go perfectly.
- 🎯 Winning the morning helps you win the day: wake up early, avoid distractions, and prioritize important tasks.
- 📚 You always have time to read if you prioritize it—Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus found time despite their busy lives.
- ⏱ Stop procrastinating; if something matters, do it now. The present is all you can truly count on.
Q & A
What does Epictetus mean by 'if you want to be beautiful you have to make beautiful choices'?
-Epictetus means that living a beautiful life is a result of making good choices and developing good habits consistently. Our day-to-day actions and decisions shape who we become.
How do habits impact our lives according to the script?
-Habits define our lives by creating a structure and routine that guide our daily actions. Consistently following positive habits helps us move forward, while abandoning them can lead to regression and setbacks.
What daily practices do the Stoics recommend?
-The Stoics recommend waking up early, spending time with a journal, focusing on creating value for others, concentrating fully on the task at hand, working for the common good, and reviewing your day to reflect on improvements.
What is the significance of 'memento mori' for the Stoics?
-'Memento mori' reminds us of the inevitability of death and encourages us to live with purpose and urgency. It helps keep our priorities in check and prevents us from taking life too seriously or getting caught up in trivial concerns.
How does Marcus Aurelius view fame and importance?
-Marcus Aurelius views fame and importance as fleeting and ultimately insignificant. He reminds himself that both great figures like Alexander the Great and ordinary people end up in the same place after death, emphasizing the importance of humility.
What does Bertrand Russell's quote about the importance of work suggest?
-Bertrand Russell's quote suggests that believing one's work is incredibly important can lead to stress and potential burnout. It promotes a healthy perspective on one's role and contributions, fostering balance and mental well-being.
Why does the script emphasize the importance of walking?
-Walking is emphasized as a way to rest the mind, connect with nature, spend time with loved ones, and practice gratitude. It serves as a form of physical activity that also provides mental and emotional benefits.
What is 'amor fati' and how is it applied in the script?
-'Amor fati' is the love of fate, embracing whatever happens as a part of life's journey. The script applies this by suggesting that challenges and setbacks are opportunities for growth and should be welcomed rather than avoided.
What role does negative visualization play in Stoic philosophy?
-Negative visualization involves contemplating potential challenges and setbacks to prepare for them mentally and emotionally. It helps mitigate the impact of these events when they occur and fosters resilience.
How does the script suggest winning the morning to win the day?
-Winning the morning involves waking up early, avoiding distractions like the phone, engaging in reflective practices such as journaling, spending time with family, and tackling the most important tasks first. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
What advice does the script give for making time to read?
-The script advises prioritizing reading by making time for it intentionally. It emphasizes that everyone, regardless of how busy they are, can find time to read if they choose to prioritize it.
What is the script's message about procrastination?
-The script's message about procrastination is to stop putting things off and take action now. It encourages doing important tasks immediately rather than delaying them, as the present is the only guaranteed time we have.
How does the script define the practical application of philosophy?
-The script defines philosophy as a practical tool designed to improve one's life. It is not meant to be abstract or theoretical but should provide actionable wisdom to help individuals live better and more fulfilling lives.
Outlines
🌱 The Power of Habits and Stoic Discipline
The speaker emphasizes the importance of forming beautiful habits in life, inspired by Epictetus's philosophy. These habits shape who we are day to day, and when adhered to, they help us progress. Conversely, abandoning them leads to regression. Drawing from years of study on ancient philosophy, the speaker encourages the cultivation of strong routines and highlights how habits are integral to self-improvement, touching on insights shared with professional athletes in the NBA and NFL.
📝 Stoic Daily Practices for a Meaningful Life
This section delves into the routines advocated by the Stoics, stressing the importance of structure in daily life. The Stoics encourage waking up early, journaling, focusing on the greater good, and reflecting at the end of the day. Marcus Aurelius and Seneca both stress living purposefully and viewing each day as a gift. By embracing gratitude and acting for the common good, the Stoics believed in making each day meaningful.
⏳ The Value of Time and Life’s Impermanence
The speaker discusses Marcus Aurelius's reflections on the fleeting nature of life. Aurelius, one of the most powerful men in the world, constantly reminded himself of his insignificance and the inevitability of death. By carrying a 'Memento Mori' coin, the speaker draws on this Stoic concept to stay grounded and keep perspective, viewing life not as a monument to ego but as an opportunity for humility. Bertrand Russell’s quote about the dangers of overestimating the importance of one’s work further reinforces this philosophy.
🚶♂️ The Importance of Walking and Reflection
Here, the speaker shares his daily habit of taking walks, inspired by Nietzsche and Seneca’s praise of wandering as a way to clear the mind. Walking becomes a form of mental rest, a chance to spend time with family, and a practice of gratitude. It’s framed as an essential daily ritual, not for exercise, but for reflection and mental peace, serving as a reminder to disconnect from distractions and focus on mindfulness.
💪 Amor Fati: Embracing Challenges with a Stoic Mindset
This paragraph explores the Stoic concept of 'Amor Fati,' or the love of fate, encouraging people to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The speaker reflects on how Stoicism teaches individuals to see adversity not as misfortune but as a personal challenge meant to build resilience. Whether facing technical difficulties or everyday frustrations like traffic, Stoicism offers a way to tackle them with acceptance and strength.
🧠 Visualization and Preparation for Life's Trials
The speaker explains the Stoic practice of negative visualization, the act of mentally preparing for potential setbacks. By anticipating difficulties, one can mitigate their impact. This preparation is compared to positive visualization, but the Stoics argue that thinking about worst-case scenarios helps you remain resilient when faced with them. Drawing on Seneca’s wisdom, the speaker emphasizes that true readiness comes from acknowledging the harsh realities of life.
🌅 Mastering the Morning Routine to Win the Day
The speaker outlines his morning routine as a foundation for a successful day. Waking up early, avoiding distractions like phones, and prioritizing creative work are central to his process. Family time, journaling, and mindful preparation are also emphasized. This disciplined structure is designed to 'win the morning,' setting the tone for the rest of the day by staying focused and purposeful in one's actions.
📚 Making Time for Reading and Personal Growth
Addressing the common excuse of not having time to read, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making time for self-improvement, regardless of one's schedule. He references Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus as examples of individuals who found time to read despite their busy lives. The message is clear: it’s not about lacking time but about prioritizing reading as a critical habit.
⏰ Stop Procrastinating: Take Action Now
In this section, the speaker urges immediate action, quoting Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus on the dangers of procrastination. He argues that delaying important tasks is rooted in arrogance, assuming there will always be time later. Instead, he stresses the importance of doing things now, as the future is uncertain. The Stoic mindset encourages living with urgency and demanding the best from oneself today.
📖 Stoicism 101: Applying Ancient Wisdom to Modern Life
The closing paragraph introduces a course titled 'Stoicism 101,' aimed at applying ancient Stoic teachings to modern challenges. It offers lessons to help individuals become better versions of themselves by embracing Stoic philosophy in daily life. With practical insights and challenges, the course is designed to guide participants through real-world applications of Stoic wisdom, helping them live with greater purpose and resilience.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Habits
💡Stoicism
💡Memento Mori
💡Amor Fati
💡Routine
💡Negative Visualization
💡Common Good
💡Ego
💡Gratitude
💡Procrastination
Highlights
Epictetus emphasizes that if you want to be beautiful, you must make beautiful choices, referring to the importance of habits.
The speaker reflects on how following best practices and habits, such as waking up early and eating right, helps in making progress, while abandoning them leads to regression.
The Stoics advocate for establishing routines, with Seneca emphasizing that 'life without design is erratic.'
A daily Stoic practice includes waking up early, journaling, thinking about value creation for others, and reviewing the day’s actions.
Marcus Aurelius stresses focusing on the present moment, as if the task you’re doing is the last thing you’ll ever do.
At the end of the day, the Stoics recommend putting the day up for review, reflecting on what could have been improved and the difference made.
Stoic philosophy encourages gratitude by viewing each day as 'bonus time,' reminding oneself that life is short and uncertain.
Marcus Aurelius reminds himself of life’s brevity, stating that both Alexander the Great and his mule driver ended up buried in the same ground, highlighting the futility of posthumous fame.
The speaker carries a 'memento mori' coin with Marcus Aurelius’ words: 'You could leave life right now,' as a reminder to live with purpose and humility.
The speaker finds daily walks essential, quoting Nietzsche’s idea that only thoughts formed during walks are of value and how Seneca believed wandering walks refresh the mind.
Stoic practice includes 'amor fati,' the love of fate, seeing challenges as opportunities to grow and improve, even when things don’t go as planned.
Marcus Aurelius states it’s not unfortunate that challenges happen, but fortunate they happen to us because we have the tools to handle them better than others might.
In dealing with life’s challenges, Stoics advocate embracing love rather than reluctance or resignation, turning hardships into growth.
The Stoics promote 'negative visualization,' preparing for potential hardships to avoid being unpleasantly surprised when they happen.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of a morning routine, advising to wake up early, avoid phones for the first 30 minutes, and start the day with reflective tasks to 'win the morning.'
Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus urge us not to put off self-improvement, with Epictetus asking, 'How much longer are you going to wait to demand the best from yourself?'
Transcripts
epictetus is that if you want to be
beautiful you have to make
beautiful choices i think what he's
talking about are habits
what habits define your life who are you
day in and day out
we're a product of our habits we're a
product of our day-to-day choices
i know that when i follow the best
practices when i wake up at the right
time when i eat right when i
do things in the right order when i
discipline about
you know screen time when i do the
practices or the habits that have made
me who i am i move forward
when i abandon those habits that's when
i regress and fall back
i've been writing about ancient
philosophy habits becoming your best
self
more than a decade now i've talked to
everyone from the nba to the nfl
so in today's video we'll give you a
bunch of great habits from the ancient
stoics that you should integrate in your
life
not tomorrow not in the future but right
now
[Music]
we know the stoics were big on routine
seneca says life without design
is erratic so some daily practices from
the stoics that everyone can use
wake up early spend some time with a
journal think about
value you can create for other people
for the world
concentrate like a roman marcus really
says like the thing you're doing
is the last thing you're doing in your
life work for the common good
he says the fruit of this life is good
character and acts for the common good
and then seneca talks about putting your
day up for review at the end of the day
stop and think
what could i have done better what can i
improve what difference did i make
how did i improve myself and then as we
go to bed the stoics say think about
that this was your last day on earth
your life is over
and then when you wake up the next day
you're grateful because it's
all bonus time it's all extra you're
playing with house money
and that's how the stokes go through
life
[Music]
i carry this coin in my pocket just says
momento mori on it and on the back
from marcus aurelius uh he says you
could leave life right now
let that determine what you do and say
and think
so marcus aurelius is the most powerful
man in the world and when you read
meditations what is he talking about
over and over again
how short life is how unimportant he is
how quickly he's going to be forgotten
after he dies you know he says alexander
the great and his mule driver both died
they're both buried in the same ground
the same thing happens to both
he says what good is posthumous fame
you're not going to be around for it
he's reminding himself that these things
don't say anything about you as a person
and that if you start to get too high on
your own supply
you're taking life too seriously and
you're lying to yourself
the philosopher bertrand russell has a
line that i remind myself
of when i start to get stressed when i
feel that ego creeping up when i get
really
the belief that your work is terribly
important is the first
sign of an impending nervous collapse
having some humility about what you do
about your place in the world to me is a
sign of healthy
well-adjusted maturity realizing that
this is not a grand monument to yourself
we're all playing the game of life and
business
and obviously you want to be a winner at
it obviously you want things to go your
way
but none of this changes really anything
and none of us know
how long we're going to be here
[Music]
i do this one thing every single day and
you can see i'm a little sweaty right
now i just
went on a long walk with my kids this is
the property there but we just went on
this long walk
around our property we talked we threw
sticks we told stories we were just
outside you know there's this great
expression from nietzsche he says
only ideas had when walking have any
worth and i think that's right even
seneca talks about how the mind must be
given over to wandering walks
and so this is really important for me
walking is physical activities it is
exercise
but it's really about letting my mind
rest i leave my phone at home
i leave my thoughts at home i leave my
work at home and i just go outside and i
walk and i don't even consider it
exercise it's exercise for my mind
it's time i spend with my family it's
time i spend on my property it's time i
spend outdoors
it's time i spend practicing gratitude
and appreciation
this is a thing i do every day without
fail whether it's in a parking lot or on
a beautiful beach somewhere
i'd go outside and take a walk and so
should you
the stoics have this concept of amor
fati a love of fate you can
hope nothing bad ever happens to you or
you can get to a place where you almost
you almost enjoy the challenge of things
going sideways
i love what i do whether it's in a
pandemic or a time of peace like i wake
up in the morning
and i i look at this as something i get
to do not something i have to do
and i see the challenges for what they
are which is a chance to get better
a chance to grow a chance to improve
that's the sort of stoic mentality
to to bring you back to that quote from
marcus realize he's saying
no it's not unfortunate that this
happened it's fortunate that it happened
to me and not someone else
he's saying because somebody else would
have been wrecked by it right somebody
else would have been
knocked on their ass by it somebody else
wouldn't have had the tools to deal with
it
that i have when the computer eats the
manuscript of the book i'm working on i
don't go oh this is the best
but i try to get to a place where i go
this is a challenge
this was chosen for me i'm going to
choose to deal with it and i'm not going
to let it break me
the primary emotion that you want to
bring to covet
to traffic in the morning to that
horribly long staff meeting all the
things that we face in life
is not reluctance not even resignation
not even tolerance but love right that's
what amor fati is
positive visualization is important if
you don't think you can do something if
you don't think something's possible
it's probably not going to happen you're
not going to win if you don't think you
can win but the stoics
also think that this positive
visualization has to be paired with
negative visualization
thinking about the bad things that could
happen the stoics know that
the law of attraction is horseshit right
you're not manifesting anything in your
life by
thinking about bad things that can
happen you're actually mitigating the
bad things
by thinking about them by preparing
seneca says war
exile torture shipwreck all the lots of
the human condition
all the potential things that could
happen they have to be in our mind so we
can prepare for them so we
have a plan for them the stoics would
rather be pleasantly surprised that the
thing you negatively visualize didn't
happen
then unpleasantly surprised when it does
happen so the stoic prepares they do
the pre-meditation they prepare for the
thing in advance
and the last year coven 19 has been a
great example of what happens when
people don't think
about what could happen you get
well begun is half done as they say so
my morning routine i think it's all
about winning the morning that's how you
win the day so my morning routine is
really simple
i wake up early i don't touch my phone
for the first
30 minutes that i'm awake minimum i go
for a long walk with my kids
then i spend a few minutes in a journal
i pack my lunch for the day
i don't eat until 11 o'clock i go to
work and i do my most important creative
tasks
first and only then do i eat handle
administrative stuff
check email get into all that so for me
it's
wake up early make before you manage
don't get sucked into the phone
spend some reflective time in the
journal and of course some time with
family and that's how i win
the morning to win the day
you say you don't have time to read but
you're watching this video you do have
time you're just
choosing not to make time there are
people
way busier than you marcus aurelius made
time to read epictetus was a slave
he managed to read you have time to read
you just have to make
time to read i read a lot i promise i am
almost certainly busier than you
i make time for it if you want to read
you have to make
time for it right it's not that we have
a little bit of time seneca says it's
that we waste a lot of it
and you're wasting it right now put the
phone down
and go read if you want to read then do
it
make the time
[Music]
you have to stop putting stuff off right
you just
have to stop putting stuff off marcus
aurelius says
you could be good today but instead you
choose tomorrow
epictetus asks how much longer are you
gonna wait to demand the best from
yourself
stop putting stuff off there's this
great latin expression
it just translates to do it if you're
gonna do it it's like the the nike
slogan
just do it don't put it off if it
matters if it's worth doing do it now
because the truth is now you have for
certain you don't
you don't know that you have tomorrow
it's arrogant to think that you can get
to this
next year it's arrogant to think you'll
do that when you retire
now is now do it now don't put it off do
it now
vain is the word of the philosopher that
does not heal
the suffering of man back in the ancient
world philosophy wasn't abstract it
wasn't theoretical
it was designed to help you live the
best life in stoicism 101
ancient wisdom for your actual life we
have a two-week
course that will introduce you into
philosophy that will make you a better
person
there's interviews with me daily lessons
that will challenge you to be better
give you new ways of thinking tackling
the problems of life
epictetus says how much longer are you
going to wait to demand the best for
yourself
check out our new course stoicism 101 at
dailystoke.com
101.
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