People often come to me with their problems. Yet, I rarely offer a solution, and almost always ask many difficult questions. So why me? What do I have to offer that even people who barely know me will open up and share their stories? I’m far from being a sage.
Stoic philosophy
Helps you think and approach reality in an effective way
- Stoic teachers called themselves “physicians of the mind”
- Epictetus, a Hellenistic Stoic thinker, wrote: “What upsets people is not things themselves but their judgments about things”
Mental Models
A mental model is a description of someone’s thought process about how things work in reality
- Martin Seligman came up with the PERMA model which describes how we can achieve a life of fulfillment, happiness, and meaning
- Positive emotion
- Stay optimistic and look at situations constructively
- Engagement
- Full attention on a present activity that absorbs you, leading to a flow state
- Relationships
- Realize we are social animals and need other people to thrive
- Meaning
- Find your strengths and ways to contribute
- Accomplishments
- Find realistic goals that add value to your life
Acceptance
Look at reality through the lens of rationality and accept things as they are, without worrying about what could be
- We all have flaws and act unconsciously time and time again
- By accepting the way we are, conscious change becomes possible
- Don’t worry excessively about things you cannot change, instead, look at the situation and see what’s in your power to change
