#32: Some Stoic reflections
And how a 2000-year-old school of thought can help your career
Hey friends,
Thank you for helping me choose a name for my newsletter.
After aggregating the results I had from the newsletter poll and from other sources, as well as from my analysis, I have decided on the new name, and you should have already seen this when you received the email.
From now on, this newsletter will have the name “Level Up Ladder”, with a custom logo that chatGPT helped create.
I feel that this name best represents my direction at the moment, as it suggests a journey of continuous improvement and ascent in both the professional and personal realms. It's playful in the sense that it takes a term from the gaming world ("Level Up") and applies it to the more serious context of career and personal development, with the idea of making progress in an enjoyable and challenging way.
So, let’s level up together :)
1/ A few updates from my side.
It was a long week, and I was busy with work and passing the courses for the MBA program that I signed up for. I was a bit behind, so I had to pass two exams last week:
Statistics
Microeconomics
As someone who didn’t go to an economics university, these exams are quite hard, but I passed them, and I learned a lot from them.
I’m quite excited about the things I will learn during the program and the people I will get to know.
I already met some of my colleagues last Wednesday, when we had a “wine and meet” evening gathering at the school. It’s an interesting cohort with a great mix of entrepreneurs and corporate people like me.
We’ll see how that turns out.
This weekend, we went to my hometown to celebrate my sister’s birthday, so we spent a chill Saturday with my family. As all my family is still in Braila, I try to go see them every couple of months or so.
Oh, and I also ran my fastest 5K yet:
2/ Some Stoic principles
Last week, I had a moment when I remembered a stoic principle that changed my life a while ago.
I won’t get into details, but in 2020, during the pandemic, there was a time when all the things in my life seemed to go wrong. And that’s when I discovered the Stoics through Ryan Holiday’s book:
“The Obstacle is the way”
Which is one of my most recommended books.
Stoicism is a school of philosophy that originated in ancient Greece around the 3rd century BC and was later popularized in Rome.
Its foundational principles are based on teaching the development of self-control and fortitude as a means to overcome destructive emotions.
But the most important lesson I learned from stoicism is that we don’t control and cannot rely on external events, only ourselves and our responses.
And Marcus Aurelius’ quote summarizes this perfectly:
In any career, there are factors you can control (like your work ethic, attitude, and learning) and factors you can't control (like market trends or decisions made by higher-ups). Stoicism teaches focusing on your sphere of influence and letting go of anxiety over the rest.
For example, if you’re a project manager, focus on improving your team's efficiency rather than worrying about corporate policy changes.
But it’s not the only idea from stoicism that can help you in your career and leadership growth; here are a few more that I like (with some practical examples):
View Challenges as Opportunities: Stoicism sees obstacles as opportunities to grow. When faced with challenges in your career, use them as chances to develop new skills and demonstrate resilience.
Example: An aspiring leader facing a challenging client uses the experience to hone their negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Practice Empathy and Understanding: Stoicism emphasizes understanding others' perspectives, which is vital for effective leadership.
Example: A team leader strives to understand their team members' challenges and motivations, leading to a more cohesive and motivated team.
Maintain Ethical Integrity: Stoicism places a high value on virtue and integrity, which are essential qualities for trusted leaders.
Example: A manager faces an ethical dilemma and chooses to act in the company's long-term interest, even if it means short-term setbacks.
Develop Resilience to Stress and Failure: Stoicism teaches the importance of being resilient in the face of stress and failure, a crucial trait for leaders who often face high-pressure situations.
Example: An entrepreneur faces a failed product launch, learns from the experience, and uses these lessons to succeed in future endeavors.
Practice Mindfulness and Reflection: Regular self-reflection on one's actions and decisions is a key Stoic practice. This helps in making more considered and effective choices as a leader.
Example: A senior executive takes time each week to reflect on their decisions and interactions, ensuring they align with their values and the company's goals.
I’m curious: what stoic lesson do you want to apply in your growth?
3/ TV Series Recommendation: “The Crown”
I love historical movies and shows, so I knew this series would be to my liking.
But I was pleasantly surprised, as the acting is extraordinary and some of the episodes just blew me away.
(My favorite, and a fan-favorite too, is Aberfan, from Season 3)
The show is a masterfully crafted historical drama that offers an intimate look into the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
From her early days as a young newlywed to her decades on the throne, the series blends political intrigue with personal drama, providing a nuanced portrayal of one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century.
The show's meticulous attention to detail, coupled with stellar performances by a talented cast, makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in history, politics, or the complexities of royal life.
Netflix just released the first part of the last season, which tells us the story of the last weeks before Princess Diana’s death, and I watched the four episodes in one sitting.
I can’t wait for the last episodes to be released on December 14th, and I’m sad I’ll have to say goodbye to “Lilibet”.
Whether you're a history buff or simply love a well-told story, "The Crown" is sure to captivate and educate.
Thank you for reading, and let me know if you liked something in particular in this newsletter.
Until next time,
Leo
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P.S. 2: If you want to take your productivity to the next level, check out my extensive Productivity course that can accelerate your career.