Seven Clear Functions of the Mind

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

I feel I have a solid grasp on most of the seven functions. Refusal of temptation is one I’m working on. I enjoy adult beverages and alcohol. I think they’re both fine just in moderation. I tend to maybe do them both a little too much. I am working on that and I have made some good strides over the last year. Control is one I am continually having to learn. I have some things I can control and a lot of things I can’t. That’s been the biggest lesson and it can bring me piece of mind. It’s easier said than done though. Letting go of those feelings require work and some patience.

Daily Stoic(s)

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Yesterday - Clarify Your Intentions

I feel like I’m getting closer to my purpose. I like doing presentations and trainings. I like learning and then sharing that knowledge. I like doing forward thinking, creative, and innovative things. I also want to focus more on my family. That’s been a little hard with work. I’ve had some recent realizations that I have 10 years left with my kids in the house full-time (yes, I’m kicking them out) and I should try to enjoy as much time with them as possible.

Today - Where, Who, What, And Why

Discovering who I am has been in the works for a few years now. I’ve written about it many times in these stoics. I feel like I’m getting really close to discovering that and not chasing unimportant things (whatever that means). I feel I’ve made progress over the last year. I’m improving my healthy habits like eating, consuming alcohol, and getting more sleep. I’m committed to these stoics and I’m reading more.

The Big Three

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Control, direct, and accept things outside of my control. I’ve needed that a lot. It can certainly be a guiding factor to not getting frustrated. I like to think of it as not wasting energy. I can choose to be frustrated and upset but that requires energy and takes me away from other things. It’s easy to say and hard to do in practice. I’ve started this stoic because it’s routine for me and often can help me center.

Be Ruthless To The Things That Don't Matter

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

I’m struggling with the concept of saying no because I would be saying no to a lot of the things I enjoy. I’d also be saying no to the joy I could potentially bring to others. This stoic definitely sounds like I should say no and be disciplined to what I should be doing not what I want. I don’t know what I should be doing because I’ve yet to find a worthy purpose. That could be the part of the stoic though.

Daily Stoic(s)

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Sunday - Don’t Let Your Soul Go First

Never give up even when things look dire. I’ve had this experience at work when things weren’t going my way. I’ve tried both ways of approaching things. I’ve given and continued to work. Giving in never worked out.

Monday - On Being Remembered

I often think about people from my past. I wonder if they ever think about the moments we spent together. In the end those people will be gone like me and those moments will be gone too.

Tuesday - Give Thanks

I am working on being more grateful. I think I can always be better because sometimes I can get into and ungrateful mindset. It can be difficult to get out of ungratefulness. This is why I’m working on being in the grateful mindset longer. It’s a much ease going and positive place.

Wednesday - Taking The Bite Out Of It

It can be hard for me to maintain a calm mind. I’ve been in those ruts and tried to use meditacion to get out of that rut. Eventually I do. It just seems to take time. I do like the calm mindset and it’s been beneficial in a lot of places.

Thursday - Get Active In Your Own Rescue

Go out and make decisions. Take action. It’s appropriate for Dec 31 because it’s the start for New Year’s resolutions which I don’t care for because it’s an arbitrary date. This is my second time through the book and I don’t plan it to be the last. Tomorrow starts Jan 1 on Dec 24th.

Yesterday - Control and Choice

Control is something I’ve had to continually remind myself. I can’t control some things at work. I’ve had to remind myself of that regularly because emotions can override these logical thoughts.

Today - Education is Freedom

I believe this stoic gave me the idea to assign my team one book each quarter for them to read. I think some were hesitant as it took them a while to complete the books. Eventually they bought in and started getting books done prior to the end of the quarter. A couple have asked for next quarter’s book. While this stoic talks about freedom from learning, there’s also the idea that great leaders are readers. I want my team members to develop their careers and a good way to do that is to read. And it hasn’t been all non-fiction and self help. There are lessons to be learned from fiction.