"We do not occur contrary to expectation sage": 5 ideas of stoicism for entrepreneurs

Stoicism, perhaps the only one of the ancient philosophies based entrepreneur - merchant Zeno. By Marcus Aurelius Stoicism accessed and Theodore Roosevelt, and now its principles are successful investors, managers and sports coaches.

Here are five ideas of stoicism, described in a new book Ryan Holliday The Daily Stoic ( "Stoicism every day"), which will help you effectively manage your business and find peace of mind. Layfhaker publishes a translation of an article in Entrepreneur Ryan.

Ryan Holiday (Ryan Holiday)

American author, marketer and entrepreneur. The author of such bestsellers as "Trust me - I'm lying," "How to solve the problem of strong people", "Marketing Hacker".

Create the right environment

First of all, take care to former friends and acquaintances did not pull you along. Otherwise, you expect the collapse. You have to choose what is more important: to be loved by such friends and not develop or become better, but to lose those friends.

Epictetus, "Conversations"

A similar idea was expressed by Goethe. We all know the words: "Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are."

To wonder about who you allow into your life. Ask yourself: "Does me these people to become better? Do they inspire me by their example? Or they pull me back? Do I need to spend more time with them? "

The second part of Goethe's statements explains why this is so important: "Tell me what you're doing, and I'll tell you what you can get out."

Learn to think negatively

That's why we can say that the sage nothing happens contrary to expectations, it all happens not according to his desires, and assumptions. In particular, he anticipates that something can counteract his designs.

Seneca, "On tranquility of mind"

Often we only realize the hard way that our life is governed by external factors. But if every time surprises blindside you, you'll not only feel miserable for any failure, you will be very difficult to again take up the case. The only way to deal with a similar situation - in advance to expect trouble.

Of course, you can call pessimist. But it is better to seem skeptic than to be caught off guard by unforeseen circumstances. Hoping for trouble, you will be able to prepare for it, or even to find a way to avoid them altogether. So you will always have a backup plan and no adversity will not break you.

Do nothing out of habit

In most cases, we act in certain circumstances, guided by valid assumptions, but due to unfortunate habits.

Gaius Musonius Rufus, "Lectures"

Think about how often you perform some action almost automatically. And if the answer to the question of why you are doing something or that something is wrong, you say, "Because it has always been done," it's time to think about their approach to life. Philosophy is just created in order to help us in this.

Try to determine what you are doing or mechanically habitually. Ask yourself: "Is it really impossible to do differently?"

Think of yourself as a business

Just as one person enjoys, perfecting his farm, and I enjoyed doing the gradual improvement of oneself.

Epictetus, "Conversations"

It is fashionable to be an entrepreneur. Undoubtedly, the creation of your own business brings great satisfaction. People devote all his life, working non-stop and constantly risking.

But do not we need to be as interested in self-development, as well as in the development of their own business? Should we not with the same seriousness relate to their lives, as well as to the business? After all, what is more important for us?

Career - it's not for life

Disgusting old man, emitting the spirit of the middle of the court session, examining the lawsuit paltry squabblers, eagerly catching approval is not smyslyaschih viewers nothing! Shame on him who dies in the line of duty, tired of life before from work!

Seneca, "On transience of life"

We should not be so immersed in the work, to forget that we are all mortal. Do you want to remember about you as a person who can not stop in time? Are you in life there is nothing more important than you are willing to work and work until you do not put in the coffin?

Yes, it is very important to be proud of their work. But this is not the only thing in this life.