Use the Four Virtues of Stoicism to Excel at Your 9-5

Good morning 9-5 Rebels!

Grab your coffee and enjoy.

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I’ve shared how practicing Stoicism saved my life.

I’ve also realized that Stoicism’s four virtues (building blocks) helped me excel in my career.

I think they’ll help you as well.

1. Wisdom

What is it?

Understanding and applying good, bad, and indifferent actions. Good actions include taking responsibility, not taking advantage of others, and not being greedy. Bad is the opposite.

Indifferent are things like money, possessions, and fame. They're neither good nor bad, but there are some preferred indifferent (health is preferable to sickness, wealth is preferable to poverty).

Apply it to your 9-5.

Learn to recognize choices and act with good actions. Focus on breaking the habits causing bad actions. And spend less energy focusing on the indifferent - fame and money. You’ll treat others with respect and positive intent by acting with good actions.

2. Justice

What is it?

Acting with kindness, respect, understanding, and generosity to others. Supporting others when they need us and contributing to our community.

Also includes being fair (and not overly critical) to ourselves (not being overly critical of ourselves).

Apply it to your 9-5.

Treat others with kindness and respect. Learn to understand their point of view, even if you disagree. Be generous with your time and knowledge (and patience!). Support the team as a whole.

3. Temperance

What is it?

Act in moderation, self-discipline, and self-control (the opposite of greed, gluttony, instant gratification, and addictive behavior). Finding the middle ground between excess and deficiency.

Guard between the extremes of life to connect with the people around you.

Apply it to your 9-5.

Be the voice of reason during depressing moments with the team and focus on the big picture (not just the immediate wins). Celebrating is good, but exuberance and negativity are addictive and can be counter-productive (by annoying others).

4. Courage

What is it?

Resisting the status quo and failing to succumb to pressure around you. Facing challenges and conflicts with bravery and resilience. Act in the right way, despite fears, anxieties, and desires.

Difficult emotions will always be there, but it’s how we react to them that is important.

Apply to your 9-5.

Stand up for what you believe is right, despite the pressure. React with reason when challenged. Be brave when you have difficult conversations. Resist the “that’s how we’ve always done it” status quo.

Put it into practice at your 9-5

A useful way to apply the four virtues is whenever you’re faced with a decision, ask yourself “does my decision align with the four virtues?” If it doesn’t, review the examples above and think about your action a bit more.

With repetition and practice, you’ll start to act within the four virtues by habit.

Makes sense right? And anyone can use this practical tool…though it’s much harder to put into practice, especially when we’re busy and stressed (the exact time we need it!). :)

If you start to bring any of these into your workplace and decisions, please email me and share!

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Let’s create and support more rebels together.

I hope you all have an amazing week!

Quinn