The author begins this chapter of How To Be A Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci reminding us that Stoicism’s goal is to help people live the best life possible. He uses the stories of three people to illustrate how Stoicism can help people deal with difficult problems. I see this chapter as related to chapter 9’s discussion of role models.
Three areas I would like to highlight from my second chapter reading are agency, a focus on understanding what you are capable of, and reflection. Like many concepts discussed in this re-read, the three are intertwined.
This week I had a conversation with a colleague about Epictetus’s dichotomy (what is under your control and what isn’t) as it related to an association political issue. The colleague had decided they could not make choices or take action. They were looking for “permission” to take action. They had decided they did not have the agency to do what was needed in this situation. Instead of “lining up values, preferences, goals, deliberations, decisions, and actions” they had become paralyzed. The discussion focused less on the specific issue and more on identifying what was important (values, preferences, and goals) and what they could control (decisions and actions). As I reflected on the call, the outcome for my colleague was finding agency rather than advice and solutions.
Agency is important however it is only a partial solution for getting things done. If you are not capable, your progress will be frustrated. The author recounts a discussion with a stoic who is also a polio victim. The polio victim made a strong statement to the author about personal power. “Focus on abilities, rather than disabilities. But this also means brutally understanding what you are capable of – understand yourself.” As the polio victim has aged, the rehabilitation progress they made in middle age has faded. They suggest an “internal alarm system” that tells you when to stop slamming into a brick wall and begin to “take charge.” While most of us do not have to deal with the ravages of polio as leaders and change agents we need to understand our capabilities and when those are exceeded change our approach or find a way to “take charge.”
Finding agency and creating an internal alarm system means paying attention to what is happening within and around you. Honest retrospection is a critical prerequisite to lasting change. Monitoring our reactions and then reflecting on how we perceive and interpret the world provides the input to determine that we are living the best life possible. Similarly, from a team perspective, whether the team is performing at its best. Reflection helps individuals and teams to cultivate positive emotions and behaviors. Mindful repetition changes behavior which is at the heart of changing culture.
In this chapter, the author used the Stoic experiences of three people with disabilities and mental illness to illustrate how the framework of the philosophy could help everyone live their best lives. The three people highlighted illustrate how role models can be found anywhere if one takes the time to look and reflect.
Catch on all of the entries in the re-read of How To Be A Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci (buy a copy and read along)
Week 1: Logistics and Opening Thoughts
Week 2: The Unstraightforward Path
Week 3: A Roadmap For The Journey
Week 4: Some Things Are In Our Power, Others Are Not
Week 5: Live According To Nature
Week 6: Playing Ball With Socrates
Week 7: God or Atoms?
Week 8: It’s All About Character
Week 9: A Very Crucial Word
Week 10: The Role of Role Models
