Consider who you are - Above All A Human Being
"Consider who you are - Above all, A Human Being, As a human being there is no greater power you are carrying than your own reasoned choice which oversees all other things, and is free from any other master" - Epictetus, Discourses, 2.10.1
What is Your Hidden Power?
Your hidden superpower is the ability to use reason and make choices however how small or limited they might be
The quote above from the stoic philosopher Epictetus is powerful, very powerful. Yesterday it stopped me in my tracks, realizing what he was really saying. It made me reboot, realizing I was running from one task to the other every day for the duration of last month. This behaviour took my awareness and focus away from what I should be doing during the month, which is working on my needle movers.
Just take a few minutes to sit down and try to understand what Epictetus is saying. He says that we determine how we utilize what is presented to us every day, no matter how devastating or fantastic it may be. It is all up to you and nobody else to seek out
A Story From World War 2
There is a reference to the psychologist Viktor Frankl who spent three years as a prisoner in different concentration camps during World War 2. He was the only remaining living member of his family. His life´s work was destroyed and his freedom taken from him, having absolutely nothing left.
Still, he managed to endure, despite the harassment and horrendous treatment he received in the concentration camp. He discovered after a while that he still had one thing left that no one could take away from him, and that was the ability to determine what the suffering he went through meant.
And amazingly enough, he found something positive in his dire situation; He could explore his psychological theories and by doing so still be of service to others.
He also managed to find comfort in the fact that despite his family was dead, they were spared the hardship, pain and misery in everyday life in the concentration camp
He seized what was presented in his situation evaluated it and made a choice to turn it into something positive and of value.
Consider Who You Are And Your Abilities
What am I trying to say here?
Every one of us has the ability to use our sound reason to make choices. It doesn´t matter how small or limited they are;
THAT IS YOUR HIDDEN SUPERPOWER!
What are the choices that are presented to you each day?
Think about the different areas of your life, both the ones that weigh you down by obligation and the invigorating ones!. Are you taking advantage of them and are you finding the positives in them?
What is the best thing you can do if you find yourself procrastinating in your business.......excusing yourself that you don´t have time? I bet you that you have 5 minutes to spare to blog on a draft during a coffee break, or do 5 minutes of topic research!
One of my obligations is as an instructor in a martial arts club which can be exhausting and at times an obligation that weighs me down. Nevertheless, I manage to use 10 to 15 minutes just before starting the instruction of my students to do a bit of research and notes on my mobile phone for my business.
I also find time during lunch at work to work on my business, while also making sure to get something to eat.
Some Final Words
I have said it before and say again; it is all in our mind. We are often our own blocking points making excuses rather than just get down to the work that needs to be done to get us where we want.
I hope this has been of value to you as it has for me.
How do you tackle the daily challenges? Do you "wing" it or do you consider your options?
Recent Comments
35
Great post, Roy.
This summer I found a pdf of Vickor Frankl's book called "Man's Search for Meaning", which he wrote after the war. I haven't read it yet but I will later this year.
In this season, I keep running across things that speak to me of discipline and avoiding excuses. It's hard. I try to plan my daily work, but I'm not hard on myself. I improvise if I have to.
It is hard to avoid excuses and diversion of attention. Working on stopping the urge to jump onto something else than you have scheduled to do, is a continuous effort. It will never fully disappear, but we can develop the skill to ignore the urge immediately when it surfaces.
Roy
Like other good habits, I have gotten away from planning and working on the plan. Yes, I plan, but too often excuse myself instead of pushing harder.
Thanks for the reminder that we do make our own choices. Sami
Great post Roy. I’d not heard of Viktor Frankl, he sounds amazing.
As I have very limited energy resources I can only do a fraction of the things I want to, and sometimes, like today, the frustration gets me down. I had decided to allow myself the luxury of reading a novel this morning, but even that proved too much and my eyes were soon drooping.
I aim to every day do something helpful to others (like looking after my grandson), something that ‘needs doing’ (like chores or admin), and something pleasurable and relaxing (like reading or watching tv). All of these are important, but it doesn’t often leave me the energy to write. Which I only ever feel up to in the mornings, so I have to make a conscious effort to put that first occasionally, or it won’t happen.
Answers on a postcard please!
Thank you for the insight into the "battle" you have every day. You have my utmost respect for handling your condition as you do.
Putting writing in as the first thing in the morning is a good idea. That was my habit for a long time, but for the most part of 2021, I have "strayed" away from the habit.
But luckily I have managed to get myself back on track, making the choice to getting back to the basics of affiliate marketing via my blog.
Roy
Hi Roy
A great post with which I agree.
It's ironic, however, that in general (it's not true everywhere and I hope is improving) most of our education systems lead to people not realising the breadth and depth of the choices they have, and steer towards limitations of mindset and decision making.
:-)
Richard
I agree with you, Richard. Our educational system has not managed to nurture the necessity of mindset development and decision making.
There is too much focus on purely academic curriculum in my opinion.
Roy
Yep ... the thing is it's been "designed" to meet the requirements of government and employers rather than with the individual in mind.
Another irony is that if the individual was catered for better society would likely benefit far more from their contributions over time.
:-)
Richard
Amen to that, Richard. We have election day for a new government tomorrow in Norway.
What surprise me every time there is a new election, every 4th year, is that it doesn´t seem that our politicians have learnt anything.
They seem to get stuck in the same "narrowminded and set mindset as the ones before them.
Roy
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Hi Roy,
Great post! Indeed, we have the power to make decisions that will impact our lives for better or for worse. Therefore, we need to make decision that will be in our best interest and help us to achieve the things that we want in our lives. Thanks for reminding us that we have freedom of choice!
Have a fantastic day! Wishing you the very best!
Kind regards,
Nichola
Thank you, Nichola 😊💯 Appreciate the super feedback.
Have a great day as well!
Roy
You are welcome. Thank you! 😀😍