Mastery: The Stoic Way To Mastering Temptation

Issue No. 18 | May 1st, 2023 | Read Time: 3 Minutes

Happy Monday Everyone!

Every day we're surrounded by temptations. Whether it's the desire to look at social media, the need to hit that snooze button, or the urge to stay home when you know you should be at the gym, there is always something pulling us away from improving ourselves.

And what makes it worse is that we aren't aware of these urges because in the moment they seem to be pretty insignificant.

But over time, giving into these small habits will inevitably lead to drastic changes and move us further away from who we're ultimately trying to become.

Imagine you're boarding a plane at the Los Angeles International Airport with your destination being Rome, Italy. 

Being a transatlantic flight, the trip is expected to take about 12 hours at which you'll finally arrive in Rome.

But what if the pilot happened to make a faulty error and point the nose of the plane 1° South shortly after taking off? Well after about 12 hours, that one degree difference will ultimately bring your plane somewhere in Tunisia, Africa, almost 400 miles away from Rome!

This is a example of how small habits can lead to drastic results. Every temptation you succumb to, every positive habit you decide to put off ultimately takes you to a completely different end. 

So what's the best way to counter these daily temptations? I think the best lesson can be found within the Philosophy of Stoicism, specifically in Epictetus's book titled the

Enchiridion

.

For those of you that haven't read the Enchiridion, I would highly recommend you do so because it gives some of the most valuable insights on controlling anxiety, improving oneself, and most importantly, mastering temptation.

Epictetus's one strategy to overcoming temptation is not necessarily a rule, rather just a change in perspective:

"Counter temptation by remembering how much better will be the knowledge that you resisted."

Have you ever regretted going to the gym even though you originally didn't want to? Or have you ever regretted sitting down and working on your business even though you felt that you didn't have the time?I think this is what Epictetus is trying to say. That you'll never regret doing the work after it's all said and done. But not only that, we'll be grateful to ourselves for going through with it.Remember this next time you feel the urge to do something besides what's important. Don't think about the strain you have to experience now, think about how good it'll feel knowing that you overcame it.

Until next time,

Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I'm Currently Reading -

I'm now about to finish Steven Pressfield's newest book titled

Govt Cheese

, a memoir on his life and his rise to stardom as one of the most influential writers of the modern era.

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

Quote Of The Week

• "Knowledge is making the right choice with all the information. Wisdom is making the right choice without all the information." — James Clear