There’s a fine line between simply working and truly thriving in your workplace.
That line?
It’s often drawn by our daily habits.
In this piece, I’ll introduce you to seven Stoic habits that could be your ticket to a more successful career.
Let’s dive in.
1) Embrace obstacles
In any career, challenges and setbacks are inevitable. But what if I told you these hurdles could be your stepping stones to success?
Enter the Stoic practice of embracing such challenges.
Stoic philosophy encourages us to view each obstacle not as a setback but as a chance for growth and learning. Instead of dreading the challenges, you learn to welcome them.
It’s like turning an obstacle course into a personal training ground for professional growth.
This is not about blind optimism but about cultivating a mindset of resilience and adaptability. When you face challenges head-on and use them to improve, you boost your problem-solving skills, become more resilient, and ultimately, set yourself apart in the workplace.
2) Practice daily reflection
Stoicism places a great deal of importance on self-awareness and introspection. Let me share a personal example.
A few years back, I found myself feeling overwhelmed at work. I was juggling multiple tasks, trying to meet deadlines, and dealing with a constant stream of emails. It felt like I was stuck in a loop of stress and chaos.
That’s when I stumbled upon the Stoic practice of daily reflection.
Every evening, I began to take out 10 minutes to reflect on my day. What went well? What could have been better? How did I react to certain situations? This simple habit helped me gain clarity, learn from my mistakes, and find ways to improve.
The result?
My workdays became more productive, my stress levels decreased, and I found myself better equipped to handle workplace challenges.
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed at work, try incorporating this Stoic habit into your routine. You might be surprised at the difference it can make.
3) Cultivate detachment
The Stoics had a unique approach to dealing with life’s ups and downs – they practiced detachment.
This doesn’t mean being indifferent or uncaring. Instead, it’s about understanding that we can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond.
If an important project fails, instead of dwelling on the failure, they focus on their response and what they can learn from it. If they face criticism, instead of taking it personally, they see it as an opportunity to improve.
Cultivating this ability to detach from the rollercoaster of external events can make you more resilient and adaptable at work, helping you navigate challenges with a clear mind.
4) Value time above all
Stoicism teaches us that time is the most valuable resource we have – because once it’s gone, we can’t get it back.
In the context of work, this means focusing on what truly matters and eliminating unnecessary distractions. It’s about prioritizing tasks, not multitasking. It’s about deep work, not busy work.
Instead of spending hours in unproductive meetings or getting lost in endless email threads, we should strive to use our time wisely. Prioritize, focus, and make every minute count.
5) Show kindness and empathy
Stoicism might have a stern reputation, but at its core, it champions virtues like kindness and empathy.
We often forget that work is not just about tasks and deadlines – it’s also about people. And how we treat those around us can significantly impact our professional life.
In a world obsessed with competition, showing kindness and understanding can make you stand out. It can help build stronger relationships with your colleagues, foster a positive work environment, and even boost your own job satisfaction.
Whether it’s lending a listening ear to a stressed coworker or acknowledging someone’s hard work, small acts of kindness can go a long way.
6) Accept what you cannot control
This is a principle that hit home for me during a particularly challenging time in my career.
I was working on a project that I was incredibly passionate about. I put in countless hours, poured my heart and soul into it, but despite all my efforts, the project was eventually shelved due to reasons beyond my control.
It was a crushing blow. But it was also a stark reminder of a fundamental Stoic teaching: there are things in life we simply cannot control, and we must learn to accept them.
Instead of dwelling on the disappointment, I focused on what I could control – my reaction. I took the lessons learned from the experience and applied them to my future projects. It wasn’t easy, but it helped me move forward.
In our professional lives, there will always be factors beyond our control. By accepting this, we can reduce unnecessary stress and focus our energy on what we can influence – our actions and responses.
7) Live in accordance with nature
This might sound a little abstract, but it’s a central tenet of Stoicism. Living in accordance with nature essentially means living in harmony with the world around us and accepting the natural order of things.
In a work context, this can be translated into understanding and accepting the dynamics of your workplace, the nature of your role, and the limitations of what you can achieve.
It’s about aligning your expectations with reality and not fighting against the natural flow of things. It doesn’t mean you should settle for mediocrity or stop striving for improvement. Instead, it encourages you to work constructively within the given parameters, reducing stress and enhancing efficiency.
So, take a step back and assess your work environment. Understanding its true nature could be the key to unlocking your potential.
Final thought: It’s about mindset
At the heart of our professional journey lies our mindset.
Stoic philosophy, with its emphasis on resilience, acceptance, and balance, provides a powerful framework for cultivating a mindset that can navigate the challenges of the modern workplace.
So, as you reflect on these habits, consider how they might fit into your own professional journey.
What would Marcus Aurelius say?
Unsure what to do next in your career? Struggling to move on from a failed relationship? Searching for more meaning in life?
Marcus Aurelius can tell you how to face your challenges in a more Stoic way.
Simply ask your question, and Marcus Aurelius will answer.
