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Starting New Projects as a Stoic
A Guide to Setting Goals with Focus and Intention
Stoa AI
February 09, 2023
TL;DR
Starting new projects can be intimidating, but following Stoic philosophy can make it manageable. Focus on what you can control, set realistic goals, and be content with your progress.
Welcome to the first edition of the StoAI Newsletter!
As a Stoic, starting new projects can be a daunting task.
We often tend to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and the potential for failure. However, when we take a step back and look at it through the lens of Stoic philosophy, it can be a bit more manageable.
Stoic philosophy teaches us to focus on the present moment, recognize our own limitations, and remain optimistic and open-minded.
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
This is a great reminder that we can only control ourselves and our own actions.
We cannot control the world around us.
This means that when we are starting a new project, we should focus on what we can do to make it successful. We cannot guarantee success, but we can strive to put our best foot forward.
Another Stoic philosopher, Seneca, said:
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.
This tells us that it is important to have a goal in mind when starting a new project.
Without a goal, our efforts will be aimless and our progress will be slow. We should take the time to think about what we want to accomplish and set realistic goals for ourselves.
Marcus Aurelius said:
The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
This is a reminder to not let ourselves be defined by the failures of the past.
We should strive to be better than we were before and to not let our past failures hold us back.
We should use our failures as a learning experience and as motivation to do better in the future.
Lastly, Stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus said:
It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor
This is a reminder to be content with what we have and not be focused on acquiring more and more.
This doesn’t mean that we should be complacent, but rather that we should be aware of our own limitations and be satisfied with our progress.
In conclusion, starting new projects as a Stoic can be a challenging and intimidating process. We should take the time to think through our goals, be mindful of our limitations, and remain optimistic in the face of potential failure. By following the advice of Stoic philosophers, we can make the best use of what is in our power, set realistic goals, and be content with our progress.
What are your thoughts?
We'd love to hear from you. How does Stoic philosophy impact your approach to starting new projects? What tips have you found most useful for staying on track and managing your expectations? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
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