"Be like the rock on which the waves ceaselessly break: firm, immovable, and around it the roiling of the waters eventually subsides." - Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and philosopher.
The Stoic Entrepreneur
Those who, like us, have undertaken the tortuous path of starting their own business, seeking their own dimension, will have been moved by an idea of independence and freedom. And, as happened to me as I wrote this thought, at a certain point you will have realized that reality is a little different from what is said. Being an entrepreneur today, specifically in Italy, very often means feeling alone, without a reference, at the mercy of the events that overwhelm us. No one to tell you "Well done, you did a good job" and many ready to judge your work. So we find ourselves looking for a guide, so to speak, something that can give you indications on how to act and not be overwhelmed by events. This is how, years ago, after long research, I approached the Greco-Roman philosophy of Stoicism. Stoic philosophy is a set of principles dating back 2,000 years, born in Greece and then carried forward to Rome. These principles, in my opinion, can still be considered relevant today, inspiring and providing us with internal guidance, like a "lighthouse in the storm".
This philosophy can be understood as a lifestyle, an approach to the things that happen to us, which allows us to focus on what we can control rather than on what does not depend on our will, a principle also known as the "dichotomy of control" . This principle invites us to focus only on the things that depend on us, over which we have control, and to stop worrying about what we cannot control. It may seem complicated, but it isn't. To explain, I'll give you a practical example.
Let's take a salesman for example. What a seller can control:
· Preparation: In-depth knowledge of the product or service you offer.
· Communication: The ability to present the value of the product in a clear and convincing way.
· Attitude: Maintain a positive and proactive mindset, regardless of the circumstances.
What a seller can't control:
· Customer decisions: Whether the customer decides to buy or not.
· The market: Market fluctuations and trends that influence demand.
· The competition: Strategies and prices charged by competitors.
As a salesperson, you should focus on improving your product knowledge, refining your sales techniques, and maintaining a positive attitude. These are the aspects you can control and which can influence the outcome of your sales. Worrying about customers' decisions or competitors' actions is counterproductive, as they are outside of your direct control. The stoic approach encourages you to do the best you can with what you can manage and to calmly accept outcomes you cannot change. This allows you to stay focused and reduce stress, thus increasing your chances of success in your sales role.
Another teaching that has been very helpful to me over time is how the Stoic faces and handles adversity. Challenges and problems are an integral part of the entrepreneur's work; we face dozens of these every day. Stoicism teaches us not to see adversity as simple obstacles, walls to climb over, but as opportunities for growth, lessons from which to learn winning strategies that we can replicate, always keeping in mind the goal we want to achieve. Without challenges, life is a monotonous routine, and if this was what we were looking for, we would have chosen another job.
“There are no favorable winds for the sailor who knows nowhere to go.” - Lucius Anneus Seneca
“Never let the future bother you. You will meet it, if it must be so, with the same powers of reason that today arm you against the present.” - Marcus Aurelius
These are just some of the insights I have gained from studying this philosophy. It would be impossible to cover them all in these few lines. If the topic interests our readers, we will have the opportunity to talk about it further. If you would like to learn more and get an idea of how Stoicism can help you as it did me, here are some book titles that have been useful to me:
· “Thoughts” of Marcus Aurelius: Also known as “Meditations”, this personal diary of the philosopher emperor is a collection of reflections on life, death and daily challenges, offering fundamental principles of Stoicism. https://amzn.to/4bWIiWW
· “Manual” of Epictetus: Written by the disciple Arrian, the “Manual” collects the teachings of Epictetus, one of the main exponents of Stoicism, focusing on inner control and acceptance. https://amzn.to/4c2qrxZ
· “The Art of Being Happy” by Seneca: In this book, Seneca explores how to face life's difficulties and transform them into opportunities for personal growth. https://amzn.to/3z1j1fI
· “The brevity of life” by Seneca: Seneca reflects on the ephemeral nature of human existence and the importance of living a full and meaningful life. https://amzn.to/3ViFyw0
· Seneca's “Moral Letters to Lucilius”: A series of letters in which Seneca shares his wisdom and advice on how to live a virtuous life. https://amzn.to/3xqOK9y
· “Diatribes/Discourses” by Epictetus: These speeches offer practical guidance on how to live by the principles of Stoicism, emphasizing self-control and resilience. https://amzn.to/4emAX4B
· “The Little Book of Stoicism” by Jonas Salzgeber: A modern introduction to Stoicism, presenting key concepts in a way that is accessible and applicable to everyday life. https://amzn.to/45tbJgI
· “The obstacle is the way” by Ryan Holiday: Holiday explores how Stoic teachings can help us overcome obstacles and turn challenges into advantages. https://amzn.to/3xqOOpO
· “How to be Stoic” by Massimo Pigliucci: Pigliucci offers a contemporary perspective on Stoicism, showing how to apply his principles in everyday life. https://amzn.to/4b3YSTA
· “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday: This book provides one Stoic meditation a day, helping readers practice the philosophy in their daily routine. https://amzn.to/3XquMq1