Personal Growth
The Power of Renewal in Stoicism
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The Stoics, a school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens, taught the importance of living by nature and reason. One of the core concepts of Stoicism is renewal – the idea that one must constantly strive to improve oneself and live in the present moment.
The Stoics believed that embracing this principle could lead to a life of peace, happiness, and inner strength.
Renewal is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. It requires a certain level of introspection and self-awareness and a willingness to let go of old habits and beliefs that no longer serve us.
We can cultivate new perspectives, learn from our experiences, and make positive life changes by renewing ourselves.
One of the key ways that the Stoics practiced renewal was through their concept of the “inner citadel.” This was a mental fortress that one could retreat to in times of stress or uncertainty, a place where one could reflect on their values and priorities.
By reinforcing this inner citadel, the Stoics believed one could remain centered and calm no matter what was happening.
In our modern world, renewal is more important than ever. Living life at warp speed and constant change, getting lost in the chaos, and forgetting what truly matters can be easy. However, by embracing the principles of Stoicism and focusing on renewal, we can find inner peace and strength and lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
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Measuring a Person by the Size of Their Heart: The True Essence of Success
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It can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters in a world that constantly measures success by wealth, power, and social status. Tom Peters, a renowned business thinker and author invites us to reevaluate our priorities by reminding us that the essence of a person’s worth lies in the size of their heart. We can experience deeper connections, purpose, and true success by cultivating empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence.
Tom Peters has long championed that the human element is key to success in business and life. As he puts it, “People are not a ‘soft’ issue; they are the issue.” In essence, the size of one’s heart, or the depth of emotional intelligence, is a powerful predictor of personal growth and success.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a vital component of emotional intelligence. It enables us to form meaningful relationships, foster collaboration, and create a supportive environment. By putting ourselves in another’s shoes, we can better appreciate their perspective, needs, and emotions. This understanding can improve communication, foster stronger bonds, and create a more harmonious and productive workplace or home life.
Compassion goes hand-in-hand with empathy, urging us to take action when we witness others in need. A compassionate person not only recognizes the suffering of others but feels compelled to alleviate it. By extending kindness and support, we create positive energy that can transform lives and ultimately contribute to a more caring and inclusive society.
Benefits of a Healthy Heart
The benefits of cultivating a large heart extend far beyond our immediate circle. When we are empathetic and compassionate, we are more likely to lead purposefully and pursue goals that resonate with our core values. This alignment of values and actions can bring satisfaction, contentment, and lasting success.
How to Build a Healthy Heart
So, how can we go about enlarging our hearts? First, we must practice active listening, paying full attention to others, and seeking to understand their point of view without judgment. We can also work on developing our emotional vocabulary, as the ability to accurately identify and express our feelings will enable us to connect with others on a deeper level.
Furthermore, we can engage in self-reflection, considering our actions and their impact on others, and practice mindfulness to stay present and attuned to the emotions of those around us. By cultivating a greater understanding of ourselves and others, we can foster an environment of trust, respect, and collaboration.
In sum, measuring a person by the size of their heart may seem abstract, but its implications are profound. Tom Peters reminds us that a large heart – empathetic, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent – is the key to personal growth, meaningful relationships, and true success. By shifting our focus from material wealth to the development of our emotional intelligence, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and find their unique path to success.
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The Road to Damascus
The Road to Damascus is a biblical story from the book of Acts in the New Testament. It tells the story of Saul, a devout Jewish leader who persecuted Christians, and his dramatic conversion to Christianity on the road to Damascus.
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash
This story has become a powerful metaphor for personal development and transformation. Like Saul, we all have blind spots and biases that prevent us from seeing the truth about ourselves and the world around us. The Road to Damascus represents the journey of self-discovery and change we must undertake to overcome these blind spots and become the best version of ourselves.
Recognize
The first step on the Road to Damascus is recognizing our problem. For Saul, this came in the form of a vision of Jesus on the road, which made him realize that he had been wrong in his persecution of Christians. For us, this might come in the form of a wake-up call, such as a failed relationship or a job loss, that makes us realize that we need to make changes.
Seek Guidance
The next step is to seek help and guidance. Saul was blind and confused after his vision, but he was guided by a man named Ananias, who helped him to understand the true nature of his experience and to be baptized as a Christian. Similarly, we need to seek mentors, coaches, or therapists who can help us understand ourselves and guide us on our development journey.
Act
The third step is to take action. Saul immediately began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and spreading love and forgiveness to others. He went from being a persecutor of Christians to being one of the most influential figures in the early Christian church. Similarly, we must take action to change our lives and become the person we want to be. This might involve changing our relationships, career, or lifestyle or working on personal growth practices such as meditation or journaling.
Journey For Life
The final step on the Road to Damascus is to continue growing and developing. Saul’s conversion was not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. He continued to learn, grow, and serve others throughout his life. Similarly, personal development is a lifelong journey, and we must continue working on ourselves and improving ourselves daily.
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The Struggle is the Point
Photo by DJ Johnson on Unsplash
Getting caught up in the pursuit of growth and success can be easy in business. We all want to achieve more and take our companies to new heights, but it’s important to remember that the things that got us where we are should not be forgotten along the way. Struggle is necessary.
Will Guidara, of the acclaimed New York City restaurants Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad, perfectly sums up this sentiment with his quote, “As you grow, you can’t lose the very thing that gave you the opportunity to grow.”
The Struggle
What does this mean exactly? It means that as we strive to achieve more, we should not lose sight of the values, principles, and practices that have brought us success. These are the foundations upon which our growth and success are built, and we must hold onto them even as we reach greater heights.
For example, let’s say you own a small bakery that has gained a loyal following due to its delicious pastries and excellent customer service. As the bakery grows and expands, it would be easy to focus solely on increasing production and profits. However, if the bakery were to lose sight of the things that made it successful in the first place – the quality of the pastries and the importance of customer satisfaction – it would be in danger of losing its loyal following.
On the other hand, if the bakery were to maintain its commitment to producing high-quality pastries and providing excellent customer service even as it grows, it would be much more likely to continue to thrive and achieve even greater success.
This quote from Will Guidara is a powerful reminder never to lose the things that have helped us grow and succeed. Whether running a small business or working our way up the corporate ladder, it’s important to remember that the things that got us to where we are should not be left behind as we aim for even greater heights. So, hold onto the values, principles, and practices that have brought you success, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving even more tremendous growth and success in the future.
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Yes or No?
The Year of Yes
Shonda Rhimes is well known for her slate of highly acclaimed Shondaland television series. She is a hit maker of the highest caliber producing around 70 hours or television a year. In 2015, Shonda surprised fans with her book Year of Yes where she forced herself to say Yes to everything that scared her for a year. Public speaking? Yes. What about acting? Yes. She talked about her experiences and the important lessons learned in this Ted Talk. The very act of doing the thing that scared her undid the fear. Shonda expanded the practice to saying yes to the requests of her family. When her small children wanted to play? Yes. To throw an impromptu kitchen dance party? Yes. She credits Yes with changing her life. There is a genuine benefit in the intentional practice of pushing past fears and excuses to find your own place of yes.
The Upside of the Opposite
We are a nation of people who love the word yes. Entire photo albums are filled with the Yes! moments of our lives. But – there is as much to be gained from the word No. Recognizing when to use the word no is empowering. It lets others know what to expect from you. For those in our industry who built careers on saying yes to all the difficult assignments, working all the extra hours, and taking it home when finally leaving the office, no feels like a negative thing, almost like a dirty word – something taboo. NO can feed the fear that it reflects badly on you.
The Honesty of Boundaries
I encourage you to re-examine the story you may be telling yourself about the word no. Saying yes when the real answer is no – is a lie. And you are the person that is telling it and doing harm to yourself in the process. The martyrdom of taking work home with you and laboring until late at night only to begin again before the starting bell of the next day only serves to perpetuate the problem. It disguises the true cost of doing business and contributes to personal burnout, which can be the hardest place to come back from. Telling yourself that you don’t have a choice is probably another lie. There are almost always choices. The other choices can feel scary, but as Shonda said, doing the thing that scares you undoes the fear. I shared a vlog on this topic last week with some tips on saying no.
Saying no sets reasonable expectations. It creates and supports appropriate boundaries. The answer might be “No, I can’t do that today, but I can fit it in later this week.” which provides the person making the request with the power to either accept your revised timeline or to find another resource to do the work. It isn’t magic but it does have the power to change your life and to reorder your priorities. No gives back time in your life – time to spend with loved ones and to pursue the things that bring you joy.
Recalibration
Yes is important. It can expand your experiences and each bit of personal growth builds on the last. It forges new relationships and enriches the ones you already have. But, yes is at its very best when it is balanced with the judicious no.
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