Mastery: The Ancient Stoic Strategy To Becoming The Best You

Issue No. 51 | December 18th, 2023 | Read Time: 2 Minutes

I think it's safe to say we all have a role model.

But the real question is, how often do you think about them?

Or better yet, how often

should

you think about them?

And that question is exactly what Marcus Aurelius talks about when he came across a strategy while reading over some Epicurean writings.

For those of you who don't know, the Epicurean philosophy revolved around Epicurus and his teachings about moderation and living a tranquil life.

In other words, it's pretty much just another branch of Stoicism. 

But back to what Marcus found. . .

So in this book, Marcus came across a strategy what we know today as 'modeling.'

It said:

"think continually of one of old who lived a virtuous life."

And so one of Marcus' daily routines was to conjure the images of various advisors and role models in his mind.

Whenever he was met with adversity or a challenge, he would ask himself,

"What would Zeno do?"

(The Founder of Stoicism)

Or

"What would Rusticus do?"

(His Stoic Mentor)

He didn't necessarily have one role model to fall back on. He had different mentors for every situation. 

Even in my own life I find myself asking "What would Greg Plitt do?" whenever I'm in the gym.

Or "What would David Goggins do?" whenever I'm in the middle of running.

You can't be afraid to have more than one role model. Have a 'council' of them that you can always pull motivation from whenever you need it.

But the biggest thing we get wrong about modeling is that it won't give us complete mastery over a situation.

Just because I ask myself "What would Greg Plitt do?" in the gym doesn't mean I'm gonna start pumping 225 on the bench like it's the bar.

It means, knowing Greg Plitt, he would stay in the gym another 30 minutes if he felt he had more in him.

Becoming your best you is all about improving yourself in small increments rather than immediately mastering whatever is in front of you.

Your models won't turn you into the next David Goggins overnight. But you'll surely start seeing characteristics similar to him if you keep aligning yourself with his virtues.

Besides, why would you want to be the next David Goggins when you can be the

first you

?

Eventually, you'll stop asking yourself, "What would they do?" and start asking yourself, "What would I do?"

Until next time,

Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I'm Currently Reading -

Right now I'm still reading Edmund Morris' book

The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt

, an extensive biography of Theodore Roosevelt and his rise to the presidency. 

• If you'd like to see my book notes pertaining to this book or any others I have previously read, then check out my websiteisaiahctaylor.comto view my entire library of notes and summaries.

Quote Of The Week

• “The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.” — Bruce Lee