A cough can just be a cough. A poor presentation can just be one data point.
Being human and stress seem to go together, with anxiety and concern close behind. There's always something we're worried about. If we don't nail that presentation, we might miss the promotion. You felt tired yesterday, and this morning you have a cough. Could it be serious? We can't afford to get sick right now.
We're juggling many responsibilities. We're trying to look after our physical and mental health while working towards our goals. We have bills to pay and mouths to feed. We're sensitive to the slightest change in our surroundings, and nervous about the smallest cloud on the horizon.
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Stick with the first impression, adding no commentary of your own from within.
MARCUS AURELIUS
That was Marcus Aurelius' advice to himself, as a leader, a parent and a philosopher. A cough can just be a cough. A below-par presentation can just be a single data point.
Falling short today doesn't have to mean everything is falling apart. Stop torturing yourself. Be present, and focus on what's in front of you, without adding judgement or speculation. Dealing with it is enough. You'll do better, and you'll be less stressed.
TRY THIS TODAY
Next time something goes wrong today, describe it to yourself in one plain sentence, with no dramatic words. Then deal with just that.
Much of what I've learned about Stoicism comes from Ryan Holiday. Find more of his writing at dailystoic.com and ryanholiday.net.
While I have edited much of this content, there are some cases where I have taken Ryan Holiday's words directly. I've included them because I think they are powerful and will be helpful for you. They are also helpful for me, and I've put them here so I can learn and understand more myself.
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