How can Stoicism make you a happier and better freelancer, and make you’re entirely life better? You have to start by gaining a basic understanding of this ancient Greek philosophy.
Stoicism: a philosophy of dour, unfeeling people?
No, Stoicism has much practical advice about how to live a happy life with minimal stress. It’s as relevant now as it was 2000 years ago at the height of the Roman Empire.
It also has excellent advice for freelancers and other self-employed folks.
Important: although I’ve read some of the original works of the founders of Stoicism, including the philosophers Epictetus and Seneca the Younger, and the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, and I’ve begun reading several excellent resources online, I base most of what follows on the excellent and highly readable book A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by Professor William B. Irvine.
Stoicism’s Main Goal: Be Happy. (Really!)
I know, not what you think based on our current use of the word of the adjective “stoic,” but it was the aim of the ancient Greek and Roman thinkers and teachers who developed the philosophy. They wanted people to be as free as possible of grief and anger and envy and fear, and instead be full of positive emotions like joy and contentment and appreciation for nature and one’s fellow human beings.
I can’t address all aspects of Stoicism in this post, so I’ll look at five important concepts that can make your life flow more smoothly and help you be a happier and more successful freelancer. I’ll also share a list of resources to help you explore further.
1. Know What Is Under Your Control and What Is Not
For all the things that could potentially affect you in your life, and thus potentially your happiness, ask yourself this question: “How much control do I have over this situation?”
I like how William B. Irvine frames this in A Guide to the Good Life with his concept of the “trichotomy of control”:
- In some situations we have complete control, like in the actions we take, the goals we set, and the thoughts we think.
- In some situations we have some control, but it’s not complete; for example, if we are playing a chess match, we can control how well we play so that we do the best we possibly can, but we can still be beaten by a superior player.
- Finally, there some things over which we have essentially no control, like the weather.
Let’s apply the trichotomy of control to my situation as a freelance writer:
- I have complete control over how good of a job I do on my assignments.
- I have incomplete control over whether or not an editor will give me an assignment. I can use my best marketing skills to sell myself, but an editor could still hire someone else.
- I have no control over broad economic factors that affect the demand for my writing services.
What’s the overall point? Focus on things that are either entirely under your control or partially under your control. Don’t worry about things you can’t control, and don’t worry either about things only partially under your control — just do your best.
2. Don’t Care What People Think of You
Concern with status was important in ancient times and it’s unfortunately still prevalent in most modern societies. The more you look for external validation of your existence, the less happy you will be. Instead, be sure that you live a life based on strong ethical principles of right and wrong, but otherwise don’t worry about how others may judge your house, your car, your clothes — or your career.
3. Practice Negative Visualization
This is actually an exercise in increasing gratitude. Here’s what you do. For 10-15 seconds imagine something you have in your life is no longer there. It can be something big, like a person you love or the ability to see. Or it can be smaller, like the food you have in your refrigerator or your favorite sweater. After the 15 seconds, let yourself realize you do have that person still in your life, or you still can see. Do this 2-3 times a day and you’ll find yourself with a greater appreciation for your life. And yes, you’ll feel happier.
You can also use this with your freelance career. Most of us wish that we had more clients overall, or that our clients paid us more money. Spend 15 seconds imagining that you had no clients at all, or if you are just starting your freelance career, that you had no ability whatsoever in your fild. Once you’re done you’ll be grateful for what clients and skills you do have, and likely energized to make the best of your abilities in your business.
4. Focus on the Present
It’s important to not dwell on the past. We should learn its lessons, but not wallow in its pains. (And this includes not being overwhelmed by grief for long periods after the passing of a loved one.)
We must accept the present and fully embrace it, whatever it is. We can still take part in life and pursue goals. These can include making the world a better place, making ourselves better people, and providing well for our loved ones through our business.
5. Live a Simple Life
Don’t get sucked up into the quest for more and more material goods. The simpler your life, the less you need just to exist, which means you need to make less money, which means you have more time to enjoy the good life.
Think about your freelance career. If you had a simpler life, you wouldn’t need as much money and you’d have more time. You can work less, if you want. Or you can finally start writing that novel. Or you can have extra money and time to travel.
Stoicism Resources
In addition to the links above in this post, also be sure to check out these excellent sites:
Stanford University’s Stoic philosophy page
Stoicism Today blog
History of Philosophy has several top-notch podcasts on Stoicism
List of online Stoicism resources
Even Forbes is on the bandwagon with an entertaining article about Stoic aspects of President Obama, and I can highly recommend the new book Rome’s Last Citizen about the famous practitioner Cato the Younger, especially one of its key lessons that an unwillingness to compromise with political opponents can bring ruin and downfall. (You listening, United States Congress?)
Stoic Week November 25 – December 2
Some very smart people in Britain are organizing Stoic Week 2013, a major event that’s mostly taking place online. There’s a cool (free) handbook with key principles and useful exercises, and there’s lots of online support to help you learn more about Stoicism and how to apply it to your life.
Your Take
What do you think of Stoicism? Have you been exposed to it before? Any similarities with other philosophies or religions? Do you think it can help your freelance career?
Lori says
John, I agree completely with all these principles. To the first point: control. Where we as a society go wrong, I think, is thinking we have control and have to control the way other people are. As a very wise therapist once said “We cannot control how others behave: only how we react to their behavior.” Amen. If we blow up or complain or internalize it, we are now allowing their behavior to control our own.
This post is a great reminder to surrender to the universal flow. Love it.
John Soares says
Lori, I really like your perspective on control at the societal level and the individual level, and I really like the therapist quote: “We cannot control how others behave: only how we react to their behavior.” Thanks!
James says
What a great post. You need a toughness to be a freelancer for any amount of time. This looks like an excellent philosophy to help in developing that. I think I’ll read more.
John Soares says
Thank you James. Please see the links near the bottom of the post for more easy-to-digest Stoic knowledge.
Anne Wayman says
As I watch my mind react to the word stoic and stoicism, figuring it is a dour state… then read your post I find myself saying well, that’s not unlike zen and what the Buddha is reputed to have said and suggested.
I wonder how the word got twisted?
John Soares says
Anne, Stoicism does have a lot in common with Buddhism. Not sure why “stoic” came to mean something not representative of true Stoicism, but it’s unfortunate that it did.
Anne Wayman says
actually, I think all the spiritual paths I know, at their core, have roughly the same ideals, and even similar ways to get at them – just my opinion, of course
John Soares says
Anne, Stoicism also has a lot in common with the philosophical precepts of Taoism.
Anne Wayman says
and zen, the brand of Buddhism I practice, has deep roots in Taoism.
Gene Burnett says
Sounds like a good outlook. Here’s what the “Urban Dictionary” has to say about the word “stoic”. It contains some adult language but it does point to the overlap between the popular conception of the word and its ancient roots. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=stoic
John Soares says
“Someone who does not give a shit about the stupid things in this world that most people care so much about. Stoics do have emotions, but only for the things in this world that really matter. ”
Interesting share Gene! (And definitely adult language in other parts of the entry.)
Jeevan Jacob John says
I already practice a few of these ideas, like not caring about what people think of me (more or less, depends upon the situation and who the person is).
As for ethical principles, I am still confused on that. I do spend a lot of my time discussing with myself, considering what is right and what is wrong (I don’t have a particular of rules yet. I mean, what is right? What I consider right may be considered wrong by someone else). Sometimes, I think that all this discussion is just a waste of time. But, how can I make progress without thinking? without criticizing and analyzing my own thoughts and ideals?
I do love #3. I will try that exercise and see how it goes 🙂
Thanks for the tips and resources, John!
John Soares says
Jeevan, we all have to develop our own personal code of ethics. I bet you’re doing just fine!
Negative visualization has been very helpful to me. Do give it a try.
Cathy Miller says
Excellent post, John. I love how you deliver a much different message than the one we associate with the word, stoicism. Or at least my initial perception.
Control issues cause so much grief. How often do we get sucked into some other person’s need for control? Since my epiphany years ago where I ask, Is this worth the energy?, I am able to resist the negative energy that comes from that person’s drive for control.
And speaking of negative, I love the tip on negative visualization. Timely for Thanksgiving. 😉
John Soares says
Cathy, letting go of what I can’t control has really made a big difference in my life.
And I really like your use of “Is this worth the energy?” I think it’s a good application of Stoicism.
Bethany says
Hi John,
I have a real connection with “know what is under your control and what is not”, as I come face to face with this everyday, before 10 am.
Let me explain, I used to make business phone calls in the morning before 10 am and track my progress. I used to get depressed when people didn’t pickup, or I got the answering machine. A colleague of mine suggested that I don’t track who picked up the phone as this is something I could not control, he suggested that I only track my phone calls (dials), as this is the only thing I could control. I am much happier person since moving to this approach.
John Soares says
Very good application of the “know what’s under your control” principle Bethany. Thanks for sharing it!
Stephanie Faris says
Great tips! I think we do take so many things for granted. Just the ability to write for a living is a true gift…it’s easy to lose sight of that in the quest for more, more, more!
John Soares says
Gratitude and moderation make for a happier life…
Helene Poulakou says
I think that #4 is one of the most difficult exercises for the human brain!
Haven’t really read much of the Stoics, engrossed as I am by the Epics and the Tragics (LoL), but I definitely knew the real meaning of the word (ummm, Greek native…)
Btw, there’s a misspelling in the Greek philospher’s name: it’s *Epictetus*. You correct this tiny one, and I’ll be more than happy to share with my Greek heritage groups!
John Soares says
Helene, focusing on the present is difficult for just about everyone, including me.
And thanks for catching my spelling error. I’m sure Epictetus wouldn’t let it bother him, but fixing my spelling errors is definitely under my control!
Travis says
Focusing on what you control is so important to being productive and is the key to self-discipline.
David @ That Gay Backpacker says
This is all incredible advice – and I am better at applying some parts of it, for sure. I am on board with the simple life thing, but stopping myself from worrying about things I can’t control is a bigger challenge. Unfortunately, I am a pessimist at heart. I have started to try and see things more positively by keeping a gratefulness diary. Small steps and all that.