Epictetus - Discourses, The Art of Living, Enchiridion

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Epictetus - Discourses, The Art of Living, Enchiridion by Mind Map: Epictetus - Discourses, The Art of Living, Enchiridion

1. Identity: First who - Then What


1.1.1. Arnold Schwarzenegger biography

1.1.2. Tony Robbins: "Identity is the most powerful force in human nature"

2. Every moment and action matters

2.1. “When you let your attention slide for a bit, don’t think you will get back a grip on it whenever you wish— instead, bear in mind that because of today’s mistake everything that follows will be necessarily worse. . . . Is it possible to be free from error? Not by any means, but it is possible to be a person always stretching to avoid error. For we must be content to at least escape a few mistakes by never letting our attention slide."

2.1.1. Just this one time? You never have that liberty

2.1.2. Slight Edge


2.2.1. Mini Habits Even the smallest actions will change or re-establish your habits

2.2.2. Slight Edge

3. Your perceptions

3.1. “It isn’t events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgments about them.”

3.1.1. "Man's search for meaning" - Viktor Frankl

3.2. “Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?”

3.3. We suffer not from events in our lives. But from our judgment about them

4. What's within my control

4.1. “Don’t trust in your reputation, money, or position, but in the strength that is yours— namely, your judgments about the things that you control and don’t control. For this alone is what makes us free and unfettered, that picks us up by the neck from the depths and lifts us eye to eye with the rich and powerful.”



5. The People you surround yourself with

5.1. “Above all, keep a close watch on this— that you are never so tied to your former acquaintances and friends that you are pulled down to their level. If you don’t, you’ll be ruined. . . . You must choose whether to be loved by these friends and remain the same person, or to become a better person at the cost of those friends . . . if you try to have it both ways you will neither make progress nor keep what you once had.”

5.1.1. Jim Rohn "We are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with"

5.1.2. Tony Robbins The most powerful strategy to grow Find others who are excelling at what you want to accomplish and associate with them

5.1.3. Your relationships will evolve/change over time That is OK

6. On Focus

6.1. “If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters— don’t wish to seem knowledgeable"

6.1.1. Deep Work Cut out all distractions from life They don't matter

6.1.2. 4 Hour Workweek Information Diet

6.1.3. Having that mental attention space


6.2.1. "The One Thing" - By Gary Keller, Jay P

7. Others' opinions


7.1.1. Marcus Aurelius Care more about others - but care less about their opinions

7.2. “Keep in mind that it isn’t the one who has it in for you and takes a swipe that harms you, but rather the harm comes from your own belief about the abuse. So when someone arouses your anger, know that it’s really your own opinion fueling it. Instead, make it your first response not to be carried away by such impressions, for with time and distance self-mastery is more easily achieved.”

7.2.1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Feelings -> Thoughts -> Situations

8. Your Ruling Principle


8.1.1. Your values

8.1.2. Your own personal creedo

8.1.3. Your own constitution

9. Freedom of Choice

9.1. “Consider who you are. Above all, a human being, carrying no greater power than your own reasoned choice, which oversees all other things, and is free from any other master.”


9.2.1. Man's Search for Meaning Between stimulus and response is our ability to CHOOSE No one can take away your last freedom - the freedom of thought

9.2.2. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Being Proactive Choosing your thoughts

9.2.3. Fundamental of stoicism Focus on what you can control

10. On Difficulties

10.1. “Difficulties show a person’s character. So when a challenge confronts you, remember that God is matching you with a younger sparring partner, as would a physical trainer. Why? Becoming an Olympian takes sweat! I think no one has a better challenge than yours, if only you would use it like an athlete would that younger sparring partner.”

10.2. “If you are defeated once and tell yourself you will overcome, but carry on as before, know in the end you’ll be so ill and weakened that eventually you won’t even notice your mistake and will begin to rationalize your behavior.”

10.2.1. Einstein "Definition of madness - doing the same thing but expecting different results"

11. Anxiety


11.1.1. You are only anxious when you want something that is outside your control

11.1.2. If it is within your control - why would you be anxious?

11.1.3. All of your anxiety is coming from Wanting something outside your control Examples Public Speaking Launching a new product Going up and talking to a stranger You are removing yourself from what is within your control Talking to a stranger

11.1.4. Basic Foundation of stoicism What I can control My thoughts My Actions What I can't control Outside circumstances Other people's behavior Stock market, Real Estate market, Sales

11.1.5. Exercise Every time you are anxious Ask yourself - What exactly am I anxious, nervous or scared about? What exactly is within my control in this situation? What all is outside my control in this situation? How can I improve what is within my control? Pick one thing and do it!

12. Self Discipline

12.1. Training your self discipline

12.1.1. “Whenever you get an impression of some pleasure, as with any impression, guard yourself from being carried away by it, let it await your action, give yourself a pause. After that, bring to mind both times, first when you have enjoyed the pleasure and later when you will regret it and hate yourself. Then compare to those the joy and satisfaction you’d feel for abstaining altogether. However, if a seemingly appropriate time arises to act on it, don’t be overcome by its comfort, pleasantness, and allure— but against all of this, how much better the consciousness of conquering it.” Controlling your impulses "Emotional Intelligence" - Dr Daniel Goleman