No one ever became better by chance. You will make as much progress as you try to make.
Some things fall upon us by chance. You bump into an old friend at the coffee shop. You find a twenty-dollar note on the footpath. You hit all the green lights on the way to work. The weather turns out nicer than the forecast said.
But no one ever became better by chance. No one just happens to break a bad habit. No one stumbles their way into being more disciplined. No one accidentally has the best year of their life. We have to actively pursue becoming the version of ourselves we want to be.
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‘How much progress shall I make?’ you ask. Just as much as you try to make. Why do you wait? Wisdom comes haphazard to no man. Virtue will not fall upon you by chance.
SENECA, IN A LETTER TO LUCILIUS
Every day, Marcus Aurelius sat down with his journal. He practised being more patient. He worked on controlling his temper. He examined his flaws. He sought out teachers even as an old man, leaving the palace to learn things he didn't yet know. He actively pursued becoming a better leader, a better husband, a better father and a better person.
“Toss aside empty hopes,” he wrote. “Get active in your own rescue, if you care for yourself at all, and do it while you can.”
You must do the same. Your best year won't happen by accident, and it won't happen because you hoped and wished for it. You will have to make it happen.
TRY THIS TODAY
Write down three things that would make the next 12 months your best year. Next to each, write one thing you'll do this week to get started.
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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