The 7-Day Self Discipline Blueprint: The Modern Applications of Stoicism (Self Discipline Series Book 2) by Logan Hawkins

Author:Logan Hawkins [Hawkins, Logan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2019-08-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5: Thursday – Self Discipline and Control

It is always a struggle to keep everything in control and be on top of things. Forcing the issue only causes more stress and other problems. It is for this very reason the stoics emphasize the importance of the dichotomy of control: knowing that not everything can be controlled.

We Can and We Cannot

Nature has always been and always will be spontaneous. It means that a lot of things that happen in nature cannot be controlled. With these, it is best to go with the flow and let them be. As the saying goes,“What’s meant to be will be.”As the stoic Epictetus emphasizes, there are some things that are “up to us” and there are those that are “not up to us.”

He also pointed out if we try to regard something that is not our own, it will only trouble the mind and will only push us to seek faults in everything. Furthermore, Epictetus also once said that not everything can be grasped by human power. God has left us with the “power to deal with impressions.”

As the well-known line from Invictus state, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” We can only control our impressions. We can control our opinions, desires, emotions, impulses, and aversions. But we cannot control our bodies, possessions, reputations, or status. These things are products of nature. We cannot control when we lose our houses to a typhoon, but we can control how we cope with the loss. We cannot control when we lose our job, but we can control how we bounce back up and try again.

If you are able to understand the significance of focusing on the things you can control rather than those you cannot, you will be unsusceptible to the many ups and downs of this materialistic world.

What Can You Do?

Since there are things that you cannot control, what you can do now is to divert your attention to those things you can. For example, a job application. You tailor your resume with a mindset that you will be hired only to end up disappointed when no opportunities come your way. That is not the stoic way. Instead, try to put together the best possible resume you can make.

Prepare to accept whatever is the outcome. Accept there are factors you cannot control such the employer’s preference, the qualifications of the other applicants, and more. Accept the fact sometimes the universe may favor you and other times, it won’t. If you begin to integrate this mindset in your life, you will develop an equanimity to the world, giving you a more peaceful life.

Take Charge of Situations

As you divert your focus on the things you can control, you cannot go slack on them as well. You need to take charge of them to ensure you do not act rash in making decisions. Do not let your stress conquer you. Instead, conquer all those things that can make you lose control of your impressions.

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