Enchiridion 10 looks at how we can habituate ourselves to make progress. We have to try and succeed on a continuous basis until we improve. It means we need to break old habits.

When it comes to our habits we have the ability to choose whether or not we want to change. We do have it in ourselves. It means managing triggers through self-control. External factors seek to impact our choices in life.

When challenges come up how do we meet them? We need to make continuous work in order to have fulfilment. External factors do not need to control us. We just need to develop the right habits.

If you have been used to a habit for a long time, it becomes quite tough for you to break it, though you know that it isn’t a habit that you should be pursuing. Smoking is one of the best examples of this fact. However, with the right kind of attitude and action plan, it is possible to get rid of your old habits too.

Enchiridion 9 looks at the relationship between choice and what we view negatively. How do things like sickness and financial difficulties affect us? Can we make choices for better aspects of life? We can let things get to us or we can make choices with reasoning. It starts with being honest with yourself.

It’s not uncommon at all for people to lie a bit about themselves in order for them to appear better on the surface than they really are. They might lie about being happy with their job and about how their life is going.

Over time, these little lies can seep into people’s own thoughts, and they’ll start to believe their own lies. This is a dangerous situation to be in. Once you start to believe some of the little lies that you tell people to spice up your life, you start letting little problems accumulate subconsciously.

When you stop being honest with yourself, you’re not able to fully address all the genuine problems in your life, and small things can start to become big really fast.

We looked at Enchiridion 8 in previous episode. We discussed the idea on acceptance. In this episode we will look at the concept of unrealistic expectations.

We need to be realistic about what we expect in life. We need affirmation about what happens to us. Too many times though we have unrealistic expectations. We must understand there are consequences and we must be able to deal with them.

You must use a combination of different types of consequences to help reinforce the kinds of behaviors you want to learn. Every choice that we make in our lives, after all, leads to either positive or negative consequences.

When you are pursuing a goal, your motivation will come and go. Sometimes, you will be really motivated just by your intrinsic need to succeed and reach the end. Other times, you will struggle to remember why you even started this journey. One way to set yourself up for success is to plan your consequences, both positive and negative. Rewards and penalties can help you stay on track and keep you motivated throughout the lengthy process of change.

So, if you are trying to teach yourself some new, healthier habits in life, you can use consequences to help reinforce your behavior and assist you in learning new ways of acting and thinking.

With Enchiridion 7 we look at how we conduct ourselves in life. We have to maintain attention to what is important. Have a life that is thoughtful and with purpose.

We can die at any time. Are we prepared for this? Do people make preparations or do the leave what is called unfinished business?

Many don’t want to think about this but it is a reality. We can look at death with tranquility. This reminds me of an exercise about writing your own obituary from school. But what about writing a Life Mission Statement.

Most all major corporations and small businesses have a mission statement. Why? Because it hones in on the purposes and goals of the company. A mission statement gives people a clear and unarguable guide to what the company aims to achieve.

A ‘Life Mission Statement’ statement can do the same for you, which is your personal life’s mission and the kind of statement we are talking about here.

Enchiridion 6 discusses the concept of externals and that ahich should be none of our concern. Sometimes we get excited about the wrong things. People have money, cars and nice clothes. Many try to model themselves based on this.

Your neighbor has a better house or better car. Why don’t you? Stoicism teaches this mindset and externals do not improve us. It brings up comparisons and expectations we may not achieve.

We get too caught up in materialism and things that are not our own. People let this represent themselves. Things have a use.

It can hurt our relationships with jealousy and resentment building up. We look at our lives and see what is lacking based on others. This is a false way to live. Things have a use but do not deine us. It takes self-actualization to realize this.

Some people spend a lifetime trying to figure out who they are and where they are going in life while others achieve self-actualization early on, gaining insight into who they are and where it is they want to be. Very few people take the time focus on their self and finding their real purpose in life. It’s no wonder so many of us question what it is we were put on this earth to do.

Self-actualization challenges us to achieve our highestpotential in life and find ways to sustain it.

Enchiridion 5 raises the question about what really troubles you. Troubles occur not in things but our opinions. Understanding this can be essential in dealing with stress.

Judgements are built on experiences. This shows the importance of Stoicism guiding us. It builds our response and ability to cope. It helps to understand what we fear.

We choose was it best for us. Our thoughts can negatively increases stress and anxiety. We blame ourselves but we should not beat yourself down. It is important to find where improvement is needed. Isolate what is wrong. Our response is key in finding tranquility.

There are some people who will tell you that they thrive on stressful environments, that it pushes them to succeed. Yet, others seem to crumble under its power. So, what is the truth about stress?

Stress is the body’s response when it faces a threat, whether perceived or real. This is a leftover from evolution, when we faced the threat of being eaten by wildlife. It causes your heart to pound, and adrenaline to course through your veins, every muscle tenses, ready to act, and your brain is on high alert.

Enchiridion 4 discusses what are our expectations in life. When we take action we need to consider the the effects of that action. Don’t jump into things on impulse. Think of the possibilities involved.

Do you want to do something that draws unnecessary attention or is there a purpose? Consider what happens in a situation. It can be based on experience or information from others.

We may have negative individuals we have to deal with in life. There is also the potential for things to go wrong even if we are mentally prepared. We have to be realistic about our undertakings. We need to do this to maintain reasoning and to follow virtue.

We can find fulfillment through our choices and actions. We can avoid circumstances if we feel it will not turn out well This is a choice. We must be mindful of what we are doing and results that may happen. We need to be ready for whatever life throws at us. Doing this we will not be stressed by our actions. But it takes discipline.

Whether you are looking to lose weight, stop overspending, or focus more on what is essential in your life, self-discipline is crucial for changing your habits and, therefore, your behaviors. If you are looking for ways to become more self-disciplined, there are different things you can try.

Enchiridion 3 brings to point how do we manage our feelings. Are we being realistic about things even outside of our control. Is there a level of attachment to externals that may be unhealthy. Things can be useful but we must be realistic like with money.

We must not make assumptions or have unrealistic expectations or face disappointment in life. Set small goals that can be built on. Have gratitude for what you have but understand things in life can be lost.

We get to fond of things and grieve what they are lost. Appreciate the people you have in life. Things can change that affect those and ourselves. We can lose those we love but remember that we also go on living. We have to be rational about things.

Rational thinking is using relevant information, including data, judgments, and facts, to analyze a situation and determine a sound conclusion. In many ways, rational thought could be considered to be the opposite of emotional thinking, which generally involves doing what “feels” best rather than what will lead to the best outcome.

Rational thoughts are logically structured, considering established facts as well as pertinent personal information. Being rational requires the use of reason rather than solely emotion to come to conclusions that are in line with your own values and needs but also take into account the broader knowledge of the world.

It is important to realize that, no matter how hard you may wish it, it is not possible to completely remove all emotion or personal bias from any thinking process. We are emotional, naturally biased humans who are influenced by our past mistakes and experiences.

Enchiridion 2 disucsses the topics of choice and avoidance. To make progress in life we need to make choices on what we want and what we do not want.

We need to look at what is good in life and makes us better as individuals. What we do not want or what to avoid is important so that it does not lead to bad experiences.

We can choose a direction in life but it may require motivation with the choices we make and to focus on what we can control. This includes thoughts, emotions, and habits. Figure out what leads to a fulfilling life. This helps to avoid negative aspects of ourselves like anger and greed.

There may come times when we regret our actions and decisions. It requires self-reflection to determine what interferes us from acting with virtue. We do have choices in letting things bother us. Don’t worry what is not in our control. Look at what makes you unhappy.

If you focus on external things you will not live a good life. How you choose sets direction in life. Look inward to make progress. Commit to progress in increments. Freedom comes from within.

Claiming and using your personal strength is a crucial step in personal growth and development. And while it can be easy to practice owning yourself in everyday situations, when it comes to dealing with challenges in your life, how well are you able to hold on to your personal growth? In times of crisis, are you able to stand firm in your beliefs are do you find yourself returning to habits that give your power away to externals?

Giving power to externals over how you think and feel means relinquishes control over your outcome and happiness. Learning to keep control in your life, even in difficult situations, means you must recognize the ways you may be giving away your self when you feel the most vulnerable.

Enchiridion 1 talks about what is in our power and what is not. It is about what affects us and what does not affect us. Assumptions and choices can be up to us.

Can we be influenced to take certain actions? This can lead to disappointment, We can choose our own actions and thoughts and recognize what we can control.

This means taking ownership of yourself and not being compelled against your will. We get in trouble getting confused what we can control. Recognize what we imagine may be negative to us.

It is necessary to reflect on what is happening in the moment. Do our impressions tell us what is in our control. One area where this is relevant is emotions.

Emotions by themselves are neither good nor bad. They just are. It is how you allow your emotions to influence your thoughts and actions that is important. Awareness and understanding of your feelings can help ensure that you control your feelings and that they aren’t controlling you. Knowing what you are feeling, what made you think that way, and how those feelings are affecting your behaviors and thoughts is a crucial life skill.

You can’t stop yourself from feeling emotions. But you can become more aware of how those responses change your perceptions and could be influencing your behavior in negative ways.

If you aren’t sure if you control your emotions or your emotions control you, There are different  warning signs that your feelings may control your life.