Ever felt like you’re always falling behind, no matter how hard you try? I’ve been there too.
In my quest to shake off that nagging feeling of underachievement, I’ve stumbled upon a philosophy that’s been a game-changer – Stoicism.
These 4 Stoic habits I’m about to share have turned things around for me, making me feel more content and accomplished in my daily life.
Maybe they can do the same for you.
1) Embracing the value of indifference
A cornerstone of Stoicism that has dramatically altered my outlook on life is the practice of indifference.
Before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify – this isn’t about apathy or disinterest. It’s about understanding and accepting what’s in our control and what’s not, a concept beautifully articulated by Epictetus, a famous Stoic philosopher.
You see, the constant pursuit of success can often lead us to fret over outcomes we frankly have no control over, leaving us feeling perpetually underachieving. But Stoicism teaches us to differentiate between what we can change and what we need to accept.
For me, this was a radical shift. I learned that I could control my actions and responses but not the outcomes. I started focusing on my efforts rather than the results.
And guess what?
This subtle shift in perspective reduced my stress and amplified my sense of accomplishment.
This Stoic habit of indifference isn’t about being passive; it’s about active acceptance. It’s about doing your best, then letting go and accepting whatever comes your way with grace.
Since incorporating this into my life, I’ve seen a remarkable change in my mindset. That constant feeling of underachievement? It’s lessened significantly.
It might seem like a minor adjustment, but trust me, its impact on how you perceive success and achievement is far from minor.
2) Practicing regular self-reflection
Marcus Aurelius, a renowned Stoic philosopher and a Roman emperor, was known for his meditations – a series of personal writings that served as a self-reflection tool.
Inspired by him, I incorporated this practice into my life. Initially, it felt a bit awkward, almost like talking to myself. But with time, it turned into a powerful tool for understanding my thoughts and actions better.
Self-reflection isn’t about berating yourself for falling short or not achieving as much as you’d like. It’s about understanding your thought processes, recognizing your strengths, and identifying areas for improvement.
For me, this practice wasn’t just about gaining insight into my actions but also about learning to be kind to myself. Instead of feeling like an underachiever, I started seeing myself as a work in progress.
The process of jotting down my thoughts and reflecting on them has made me more mindful of my actions and their consequences. It’s helped me align my actions with my values and goals more effectively.
So rather than constantly feeling like you’re underachieving, take time to reflect. Understand your journey, identify your progress, celebrate your small wins, and learn from your setbacks. It’s not an overnight change, but this habit has significantly transformed my perception of achievement and success.
3) Understanding the transient nature of things
Picture this: After achieving a long-desired goal, you feel a sense of elation. But soon, the excitement fades, and you’re left wanting more. Sound familiar?
This is so common- we have a tendency to return to a base level of satisfaction, no matter how great our achievements are. Understanding this concept was a game-changer for me.
I realized that no matter how much I achieved, it would never be enough if I kept comparing myself to others or to an impossibly high standard.
Stoicism teaches us to understand and accept the transient nature of things, including our achievements. Just as we must accept that we can’t control everything, we must also accept that our satisfaction from achievements is temporary.
This doesn’t mean we should stop striving for success. Instead, it means we should find contentment in our current state while still pursuing our goals.
Since embracing this Stoic habit, I’ve felt less pressure to constantly outdo myself. I’ve learned to take pleasure in my achievements without letting them define my self-worth.
This shift in perspective has significantly reduced my feelings of underachievement and has allowed me to enjoy my journey more.
4) Valuing virtue above all else
In a world obsessed with material success, Stoicism offers a refreshing perspective: valuing virtue above all else.
Stoics believe that virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance are the highest forms of achievement. Material wealth and social status, while not inherently bad, are considered indifferent—they neither contribute to nor detract from our moral worth.
Initially, this was a challenging concept for me to grasp. After all, we’re conditioned to measure success in terms of tangible accomplishments. However, as I started to value virtue over external validation, I began to see myself and my achievements in a new light.
I started focusing on personal growth and ethical actions as measures of success. Instead of feeling like an underachiever because I hadn’t reached certain societal milestones, I started feeling accomplished for sticking to my values, being kind, and making ethical choices.
Valuing virtue above all else has been liberating. It’s shifted my focus from chasing external validation to cultivating internal worth.
If you’re struggling with feelings of underachievement, try redefining what success means to you. Focus on virtues and personal growth rather than external markers of success—you might be surprised by the sense of fulfillment it brings.
The bottom line
Incorporating Stoic habits into your daily life can profoundly shift how you perceive success and achievement.
By embracing indifference, practicing self-reflection, understanding the transient nature of things, and valuing virtue above all else, you can reduce feelings of underachievement and find a deeper sense of contentment. Or at least they helped me, too.
I hope you found some value in this article.
Until next time, stay Stoic.
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.
