Stoic Strength Trainer

Achieving our goals takes effort. That effort is made easier when we've committed to staying the course regardless of the challenges we'll face. And there are always challenges.

By imagining the possible challenges and obstacles beforehand we'll be much better prepared to deal with them.

For a free PDF of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if your prefer video:

https://youtu.be/dQDGPUEUX4M

Depending how you build your mental fortress (or sanctuary, refuge, gymnasium) you will more or less suffer abuse from the negative opinions of others. If you build it well it will be impregnable. But that will take dedicated practice and dedication. It's worth the effort.

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video:

https://youtu.be/egB6nZ2EwEE

The Stoic sage operates with excellence in every moment. We aren't sages. There are no sages.

Though we won't operate with excellence in every moment we can operate with excellence in any moment! And that opportunity is available in every moment of choice!! But not every moment is a moment of choice!!!??

Ah, the joys of diving deep into philosophic thinking. We look at the concept of fate, too. Just skim the surface, really. Come to think of it I do use a diving board analogy in the episode so these metaphors are appropriate.

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video:

https://youtu.be/4U8OOQeWKf4

When we consider our own lives and the challenges we face we're so close, we're so involved, it makes it hard to see the obvious choices. But when we're presented with similar challenges in the lives of others it seems easier.

We need to get some distance from our thinking. Today we look at how to get that distance and why it's so useful.

Get ready for some tough love from the Third-Person Perspective.

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video:

https://youtu.be/WT6Ea12AjAI

There's a price for everything. When we pay up front for what we want, through the discipline of our choices and effort, we become practiced and the price becomes easier to bear.

When we choose to ignore the discipline and effort required we're choosing to pay in another way. We're deferring the up front cost. The price then becomes a heavier burden.

In other words, discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tonnes.

Learn the wisdom of paying the price up front.

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video:

https://youtu.be/pImqb_uhqK0

"You help others the most by being a model of excellence worthy of emulation. A good end by unworthy means is never justified. Know your purpose and the means becomes self-evident. Then others learn just by seeing you in action."

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfT54BZGx5A

https://youtu.be/QfT54BZGx5A

We are likely to judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions. After all, we can't read minds. But by using the same criteria for ourselves we're going to be much more honest about how well we're living up to our own standards.

And being consistent with our standard regardless of the circumstances or what others think is how we show others who we are. More importantly we'll be showing ourselves who we are.

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXL5H1_HZq8

https://youtu.be/oXL5H1_HZq8

As we strive to make ourselves better human beings (working out, eating healthy, calling it an early night because we need to get up for a run in the morning) we'll undoubtedly be on the receiving end of some opinions that aren't helpful. Be prepared. There's always a critic.

*Note: The quote of Marcus Aurelius is actually 4.7.

For a free copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

And if you prefer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyJc7upRR3w

https://youtu.be/uyJc7upRR3w

We expect to have time to get our tasks done, to achieve our goals, to make things better. But when we consider that future we're taking for granted that we'll be in it and that we'll have the resources we have now or even more.

Much better to take advantage of the opportunities we have today. Tomorrow things may be very different.

For a free copy of The Gymchiridion: Everything You Need To Master Your Life You Will Learn In The Gym go to: http://gymmanual.com

If you prefer video: https://youtu.be/AVGB8a-nXsI

https://youtu.be/AVGB8a-nXsI

Whatever's upsetting you is not what you think. Do you think it's because you pulled your hamstring and you won't be able to go on that hike you've been looking forward to for weeks? What does missing that hike mean exactly?

When you understand that you choose the meaning you'll understand what's causing your upset.

For a free PDF copy of The Gymchiridion go to: http://gymmanual.com