Teachings For Business Zen

As I occasionally chatted with my friend Emily on WhatsApp over the past few months, I was impressed with her composure in the face of the mayhem that had engulfed her school. A recent strike, a battle for dignity and respect in education, had placed her in a precarious position. As principal, she had to tread a fine line between empathy for her striking teachers and her administrative duties. Her voice, calm yet emotional, revealed the depth of her commitment to her staff and students. "It was more than wages; it was about respect," she said, reflecting both determination and fatigue from the struggle. She was all for them and what they were fighting for but she couldn’t join them in the strike or even cross the lines out of respect because she had to remain a neutral party.

As the year came to a close, the strike's end marked the beginning of a new challenge for her and her team. The school, once a vibrant hub of learning, now faces the daunting task of catching up. Students were behind, teachers carried the weight of new expectations, and the local government's responses were, let’s just say, unprepared and inadequate. The very same school principals who stood on the sidelines now had to provide answers to problems they did not create. Watching her navigate these turbulent waters with grace and resilience, I couldn't help but see the parallels with Stoic philosophy—and shared as much with Emily. Her demeanor amidst adversity was not just admirable; it was inspiring.

Emily, in her quiet, unassuming way, had become a symbol of resilience and wisdom, a beacon of quiet clarity in a world often clouded with uncertainty. Stoicism, in theory, is a philosophy. As a practice, it is a set of rules to live by. The Stoics believed that life was complicated—more importantly, that it was exhausting. So to create rules was to help ensure that we stay on the right path and that we don’t let the complexity and nuance of each individual scenario allow us to compromise on the big, high standards we know we hold.

So let’s jump off here to see what those rules are and simple ways to practice them, as they embody principles every entrepreneur can grow from.

Here are the 12 Rules of Stoic Philosophy…

Rule 1: Own the Morning
Owning the morning is about establishing a powerful, purposeful routine that sets the tone for the entire day. Journaling, walking, and creating some time for meditating on the fruits of focus for the day ahead are all highly recommended.
You can start by waking up at a consistent time every day and dedicating the first hour to a meaningful activity that energizes you, whether it's exercise, meditation, or planning the day ahead.

Rule 2: Only Focus on What’s in Your Control
This rule emphasizes the importance of directing your energy and efforts towards aspects of your life and business that you can influence.
Cultivate this habit by starting each day with a list of goals, distinguishing what is within your control and what isn't, and focusing your attention on the former.

Rule 3: Don’t Suffer Imagined Troubles
Avoiding the trap of worrying about hypothetical problems is key to maintaining a clear and focused mind.
Actively recognize when your thoughts drift towards unfounded worries and consciously redirect your focus to the present moment and current tasks.

Rule 4: Treat Success and Failure the Same
Treating success and failure with equanimity allows for steady progress and learning.
Develop the habit of reflecting on your day each evening, acknowledging both successes and failures, and extracting lessons from each without excessive emotion. Don’t beat yourself up, ever.

Rule 5: Just Do One Thing Every Day
Consistency is crucial, and doing just one significant thing every day can lead to substantial long-term progress.
Build this habit by identifying one key task each day that will move you closer to a goal and committing to completing it no matter what.

Rule 6: Make Beautiful Choices
Making beautiful choices is about choosing actions that align with your values and highest self.
Practice this by regularly reflecting on your core values and ensuring that your daily decisions and actions are in harmony with your principles.

Rule 7: Constantly Ask, “Is This Necessary?”
This rule is about prioritizing and eliminating unnecessary actions and distractions.
Implement this by regularly reviewing your schedules and to-do lists, questioning the necessity of each item, and eliminating or delegating tasks that don't contribute to your primary objectives.

Rule 8: Love Your Fate
Loving your fate, or 'amor fati', means embracing whatever life throws at you with positivity.
You can cultivate this attitude by facing challenges with a mindset of growth and opportunity rather than resistance.

Rule 9: Speak with the Dead
Where the ancients believed in the power of oracles, there is a much less ethereal path nowadays: books! Engaging with the wisdom of the past can provide valuable insights and perspectives.
Dedicate time to read and learn from historical figures, philosophers, and successful individuals in your field or those facing similar challenges to yours.

Rule 10: Be Strict with Yourself and Tolerant with Others
This rule advocates for personal discipline while exercising understanding and compassion towards others. Don’t confuse strict with “hard.” This is about maintaining discipline, not some unrealistic vision of perfection.
Apply this by setting high standards for your own performance and conduct while being patient and forgiving of the mistakes and shortcomings of others. It’s not always easy, but it does a soul great good and builds confidence.

Rule 11: Turn Obstacles Upside Down
Transforming obstacles into opportunities is a powerful entrepreneurial skill. Practice this by viewing every challenge as a chance to learn and grow, and brainstorming creative ways to leverage difficulties to your advantage. This is also great to do with a trusted colleague or mentor for outside perspective.

Rule 12: Remember: You Are Dying Every Day
Being mindful of life’s impermanence can inspire urgency and focus. If this feels dark, then you may be looking at it wrong. Our limited time on earth is an inevitable reality. Chance can take us at anytime from our loved ones, and living with that in mind can be an empowering virtue for any entrepreneur.
Embrace this by reminding yourself each morning of the preciousness of time. Be grateful for all the time you’ve had, will continue to have and use this awareness to drive meaningful daily actions.

Stoicism, with its emphasis on resilience, emotional intelligence, and focus on what one can control, equips entrepreneurs to navigate the unpredictable and often stressful landscape of business. It encourages a mindset that values rational decision-making over impulsive reactions, fosters endurance in the face of setbacks, and promotes a balanced view of success and failure. This philosophical approach helps in building a strong mental foundation, enabling entrepreneurs to remain steadfast and adaptable, qualities that are crucial for long-term success and personal fulfillment in the entrepreneurial journey.

The beauty of our journey is in acknowledging that every soul we encounter, knowingly or unknowingly, contributes to the grand masterpiece of our existence. Life is nothing if not a series of lessons that are meant to constantly teach us great things. People come into our lives, each carrying their own unique perspectives and experiences, contributing in subtle but significant ways to our personal and professional growth. Everyone, in their own small way, is a teacher.

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