Discover how to master productivity with the Stoic Power Hour and learn how to cultivate resilience, wisdom, and peace.
In today’s Nous:
- 🧘 Stoic Meditations: Seven new guided meditations for growth and resilience.
- 🧰 Stoic Toolbox: Master productivity with the Stoic Power Hour.
- 🤖 Socrates in Modern America: A dialogue on freedom and influence.
- 🧘 Accepting Fate: How to act with intention and prepare for life's unpredictability.
- 📆 Self-Improvement Picks: Apps, training, communication tips, and more for personal growth.
Read time: 12 minutes
PHILOSOPHY PICKS
Wisdom Arrows
New Stoic Contemplations
- 🧘 Stoic Meditation: Turning Judgment into Self-Reflection and Compassion Transform feelings of judgment into opportunities for self-reflection and growth. Draw on the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius to replace judgmental thoughts with compassion. Listen here.
- 🌀 Embody the Stoic Dichotomy of Control: Meditation Practice Focus on what is within your control—your thoughts, actions, and responses. Gain peace and autonomy by letting go of external concerns. Listen here.
- 📅 Daily Stoic Meditation for Wisdom Explore the Daily Stoic Mindful Review to integrate Stoic principles into your life. Reflect on thoughts, emotions, and actions for improved self-awareness. Listen here.
- 💀 Facing Mortality: A Stoic Death Meditation Confront and accept mortality to diminish the fear of death and find peace in life's natural cycle. Listen here.
- 🌌 Stoic Object Deconstruction Meditation: Managing Cravings and Desires Practice detachment from possessions and desires by breaking down attachments into their elemental parts. Listen here.
- 🌙 Stoic Evening Meditation for Increased Wisdom & Sleep Reflect on your day with a balanced perspective, focusing on successes and areas for improvement without judgment. Listen here.
- 🌅 The New Stoic Morning Meditation for Resilience and Peace Explore teachings of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca to cultivate mindfulness, acceptance, and presence. Listen here.
Stoic Toolbox
Use Self-Deprecating Humor
🧰 The Stoic Power Hour
No man is free who is not master of himself.
— Epictetus
The Stoic Power Hour is a Stoic-inspired productivity tool that can transform how you approach your day. It involves batching three focused, high-impact tasks into a single, uninterrupted hour. Instead of spreading these activities throughout the day, which often leads to procrastination and wasted time, you dedicate one hour to completing them back-to-back. This method helps you stay efficient and avoid distractions that typically derail productivity.
Why Batching Works
The concept of batching comes from productivity experts like Tim Ferriss, who stress the importance of focusing on similar tasks in one go. Whether you’re a parent, a business owner, or someone managing multiple responsibilities, batching allows you to stay focused and maintain momentum. By removing the start-stop mentality, you can get more done in less time.
What to Include in Your Power Hour
For Stoics, productivity is not just about getting things done but about doing what is most valuable. In your Power Hour, you can choose tasks that help cultivate your mind and spirit, such as:
- Meditation: A short 20-minute meditation session helps clear the mind and refocus your energy on what truly matters.
- Stoic Reading: Spend 20 minutes reading or reflecting on Stoic principles to deepen your understanding of the philosophy.
- Active Recall or Journaling: Use the final 20 minutes for reflection, journaling, or applying Stoic concepts in your daily life.
The key is to choose tasks that will advance your personal development or help you achieve long-term goals. This structured approach ensures that each day, no matter how busy, includes meaningful progress.
Listen to the podcast about the power hour here.
Philosophy Remixed
Ancient Philosophers Brought to Life
Imagine Socrates transported to modern-day America, engaging in conversation with a citizen about their ability to choose who they want to vote for. Here is their dialogue:
Socrates: Tell me, my friend, do you consider yourself free when you go to vote?
Citizen: Of course, Socrates. I live in a democracy where I can choose any candidate I want.
Socrates: Ah, so you believe you have a true choice. But let me ask you, on what basis do you make this choice? Is it the candidate's promises, their appearance, or perhaps something else entirely?
Citizen: Well, it’s a mix of their policies, what they stand for, and yes, sometimes how they come across on TV or social media.
Socrates: And are these policies something you have examined deeply, or are they simply what you have heard from others?
Citizen: I mean, I try to keep informed. I read the news and follow the debates.
Socrates: Indeed, but I wonder, who decides what news you see, or which debates are most highlighted? Do you think your choice is entirely your own, or is it shaped by forces beyond your control—such as the influence of those who decide what appears in the media?
Citizen: I guess... there is a lot of influence from media companies and social networks. But I still feel I can make my own decision.
Socrates: I see. You feel free, yet your choice is influenced by voices that have their own interests. Tell me, how can one be free if one's decisions are being subtly shaped by others without their knowing?
Citizen: I suppose I hadn't thought about it that way. But what should I do then, Socrates?
Socrates: Perhaps, my friend, true freedom lies not in choosing between options given to you, but in questioning why those options are presented at all. To be truly free is to understand oneself and to seek truth beyond what is handed to you. Only then can you choose wisely, with eyes unclouded.
Citizen: But questioning everything sounds overwhelming. How can one person find the truth amidst so much noise?
Socrates: An excellent question. It is true that the noise of opinions can be deafening. But the first step, my friend, is to realize that you need not accept things at face value. Start by seeking diverse perspectives, questioning motives, and considering who benefits from the messages you are given. Do you understand?
Citizen: Yes, I think so. You're saying I should be more skeptical, not just take things as they are presented.
Socrates: Exactly. And another key is to examine your own desires. Ask yourself: why do I favor one candidate over another? Is it because they appeal to my hopes, my fears, or perhaps some deep-seated belief I hold without even realizing it?
Citizen: I think sometimes it is my fears. They talk a lot about threats and dangers.
Socrates: Just so. Those who seek power often exploit fears, for it makes people easier to sway. To be truly free, one must understand one's own fears and not let them be manipulated by others. Freedom is as much about knowing oneself as it is about having options.
Citizen: So, to truly choose, I need to understand both myself and the influences around me?
Socrates: Precisely. The unexamined life is not worth living, my friend. If you wish to be truly free in your choice, examine everything—your motives, the influences on you, and the nature of those who seek your vote. Only then can you hope to choose not as a puppet, but as a truly free human being.
Citizen: Thank you, Socrates. You've given me a lot to think about.
Socrates: I am glad, my friend. Remember, the pursuit of truth is never easy, but it is always worth it.
Stoic Contemplation
Are Things Really Bad or Good?
🧘 Accepting Fate: A Stoic Approach to Life
I will set sail unless anything happens to prevent me; I shall be praetor, if nothing hinders me; my financial operations will succeed, unless anything goes wrong with them.
— Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind
Seneca teaches us a vital Stoic principle: to act with intention while also acknowledging the unpredictability of life. This means engaging with the world without attachment to outcomes. The Stoic approach involves the "reserve clause"—adding "fate permitting" to our plans. This simple shift in mindset allows us to prepare for the unexpected, reducing disappointment and cultivating resilience.
Focus on Necessary Business
Democritus taught that those who wish to live in peace should not occupy themselves with unnecessary business. Seneca agrees and reminds us to prioritize our activities, focusing only on what is truly necessary. By doing so, we not only maximize our contributions but also shield ourselves from the whims of Fortune. The more we engage in unnecessary activities, the more we expose ourselves to risk and disappointment.
Practical Examples of Accepting Fate:
- Daily Plans: Instead of setting rigid goals for your day, say to yourself, "I will complete these tasks today, fate permitting." This way, you mentally prepare for interruptions without feeling distressed if things don’t go as planned.
- Career Aspirations: Aim for that promotion, but remind yourself, "I will do my best to be promoted, fate permitting." This keeps you motivated while accepting that some factors are beyond your control.
- Relationships: When planning a special day with friends or family, think, "I will meet my friends for dinner, fate permitting." This reminds you that unforeseen events can occur, and you’ll be better prepared to accept changes gracefully.
Forming Reasoned Expectations
The wise person forms reasoned expectations. Instead of engaging in wishful thinking, they acknowledge both the possibilities of success and failure. This doesn’t make them pessimistic but instead prepares them for life’s uncertainties. By cultivating this mindset, they protect themselves from the sharp pain of disappointment.
Self-Improvement To-Do List
📺 Watch: An app that I've been enjoying lately is called Sequel. It's a platform where you can store the films, shows, books, and games you want to watch and have watched. You can use it to organize your media consumption and rate it when you're done. I find the app quite fun and useful for keeping track of what I'm enjoying.
🏋️ Train: I've recently started following legendary MMA conditioning coach Joel Jamieson's program called Metamorphosis, available on 8weeksout.com. Joel also has a heart rate monitor called Morpheus and an app that complements the training program. I'm really enjoying this training, with a big focus on improving my VO2 max this year.
💬 Communicate: I recently discovered the work of Bill Eddy and have been reading many of his books. Bill is a clinical social worker and family attorney who specializes in personality disorders and high-conflict people. Watch his interview on Andrew Huberman's podcast here. It's packed with valuable insights on how to navigate challenging interactions.
📖 Read: I recently sat down with Donald Robertson to discuss Socrates. The podcast lasted three hours, and I'll be releasing it soon! Donald has a new book on Socrates coming out on November 19th. You can preorder it now: How to Think Like Socrates.
🎮 Play: I've been playing Snipperclips with my son on the Nintendo Switch. It's an unusual game where you play as geometric shapes, working together to achieve different goals. It can be frustrating but is incredibly satisfying when you finally solve the puzzles and move to the next level.
Thank you for joining me in this issue of The Nous. Looking to support The Nous and educate others on Stoicism?
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Thank you for reading. As Stoics, we understand that the future is uncertain, so let's say, "I will be in touch soon, fate permitting!"