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Use These 4 Stoic Quotes to Supercharge Your Productivity

Use the power of stoicism to enhance your productivity!

By Brad BartlettPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Photo by Tamara Malaniy on Unsplash

If you're like me, you struggle to be productive at times.

You know you should be doing X, but you can't seem to focus on it or get started.

(I mean, the outdoor rug really needs to be vacuumed, right?)

When this happens, it's helpful to turn to the Stoics. The Stoic school of philosophy dates back to Ancient Greece and teaches individuals how to be in control of their emotions and stay productive.

Over the past few years, I've been digging into Stoicism, which has completely changed how I approach my work. Not only do I get more done, but I also worry less and enjoy my work more.

If you're looking for a way to supercharge your productivity, here are four Stoic quotes to help you out:

"You can't control the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails."

Seneca

Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher and this quote is one of his most famous. What he's saying is that you can't control everything in your life, but you can control how you react to it.

This is an important distinction because it's easy to get caught up in things that are out of your control.

For example, you might be upset that you didn't get that big project at work, even though you did everything right.

The Stoics would say that it's not worth getting upset over something like this because it's out of your control.

Instead, focus on what you can control, which is how you react to the situation. adjust your sails and keep moving forward.

"It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor."

Seneca

This quote is a great reminder that it's not what you have, but what you want, that makes you poor.

The more you desire, the more unfulfilled you will feel.

The Stoics believed that contentment is the key to happiness. So instead of chasing more, focus on being content with what you have.

This doesn't mean you should settle for less than you deserve, but it does mean that you shouldn't let your wants control your life.

Simply put, this quote reminds you to be grateful for what you have and focus on what's important.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation."

Plato

Play is an important part of life and it's something that the Stoics valued highly. They believed that through play, we can learn about ourselves and others.

This quote is a reminder that relationships are important and that we should focus on quality over quantity.

Instead of trying to have more conversations, focus on having fewer, deeper conversations. This will help you connect with others on a deeper level.

You'll be better equipped to work with others when you learn how to connect with others and understand them.

And when you have strong relationships, you'll be more productive because you'll be able to get the help and support you need.

"If any external thing pains you, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgment now."

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher. This quote is from his famous work, Meditations - a work that is still relevant today.

Marcus is saying that it's not the external event that bothers us but our own opinion about it. And we have the power to change our opinion.

For example, let's say you get passed up for a promotion at work. It's easy to get upset and think you're not good enough.

But if you change your opinion and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow, it's not so bad.

It's our interpretation of events that shapes our emotions. So if you want to be less reactive and more productive, focus on changing your interpretation of events.

Become Better with the Help of Stoicism

The stoics had a way with words, didn't they? Just reading these quotes can help set your mind in the right direction.

But if you really want to supercharge your productivity, I recommend reading more about Stoicism. It's a fascinating philosophy and there's a lot to learn from it.

Once you start to change your mindset with the help of Stoicism, you'll be amazed at how much more productive you can be.

So what are you waiting for? Grab an ancient Stoic text and start learning how to become a more productive person today.

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About the Creator

Brad Bartlett

Freelance Copywriter and Content Writer.

☕️,✍️,🍺, repeat.

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