Double digits!
Yes, the numbering mechanism for the newsletter has been triple digits from the start. So maybe I need to celebrate when I get to 4-digits. Kind of a Y2K problem. I am still not sure they solved for that...but I digress.
This time, I am asking for your feedback. I just had a new influx of books including:
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
- Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a (Goshdarn) by Mark Manson
- The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Not having read any of these makes me feel very delinquent.
If there are others that I should put on my list, hit me on LinkedIn. This is not a request!
And I do hope that my being inspired by books leads you to read more books yourself. I was a math kid growing up and hated reading. I think I have entrepreneurship to thank for the fire lit under my rump. Started a good habit.
In terms of that future state mind map of books I mentioned before, have a look at this website for another book I read by Alex Hormozi $100M Leads.
If it is humanly possible, you can do it too.
— – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
What philosophy has taught me is to be indifferent to events beyond the will's control.
— – Epictetus, Discourses & Selected Writings
I realize now that my sorrowing in the way I did was mainly due to the fact that I had never considered the possibility of his dying before me.
— – Seneca, Letters from a Stoic
Rads Take
If you are curious, we got a Murderer's Row 1927 Yankees lineup of folks giving quotes here -- Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca are THE three classic Stoics. There are many more but these guys are the George Clooney and Brad Pitt (and, I don't know Scott Caan?) of the Stoics. As Biggie would say, "if ya don't know, now ya know".
My favorite of the three quotes is a bit of a dark horse - because it is dark. But it hits on so much in just a handful of words. It is quote 3 which talks about grieving a dead friend.
"........Chris...jeez...this stuff again..."
OK hear me out. Some key words as it pertains to Stoicism: "realize", "now", "considered the possibility", "before". And yes, "dying" is in there. But the way it is stated from Seneca is extremely matter of fact. There was grief. Maybe too much grief. But the grief is over. Now it is time to learn. To understand. To recognize a failure in preparation. "Now" is when Seneca is wiser than he was before. Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "remember that you are mortal."
<OK where is that unsubscribe button...they always put it so small and in a font color similar to the background...>
But that phrase reminds us of the transitory nature of this life and that nothing can be taken for granted. Complained about. No beauty should be overlooked or struggle unappreciated. So yes, remember that your friend could go before you. Or you could go before your friend. Either way, appreciate the friendship you have.
Or, if ya hate the guy, make strides to use your time more wisely and wish him well. But NOW is when you can have that REALIZEation BEFORE it is too late.
Quote #2, kind of a layup when it comes to Stoicism. I think the word 'indifferent' is a bit strong there. It is driving at not allowing things happening around you to affect your actions IMHO. You pre-considered that as a possibility and therefore are pre-pared for it.
So that brings us up to the first one. Individual empowerment is a major theme of Stoicism. The phrase missing in this one is....you may have guessed it...'well maybe not yet'. But yea, if it has been done by a human, then you can do it....perhaps with weeks or years of intentional practice and training. Roger Bannister and the 4-minute mile is one that is always brought up and a backflip on a motorbike (neither of which I aspire to mimic). But once someone does it, other folks take this quote to heart. The mental barrier comes down because it has been achieved. Mental barrier. That's all it was. Next up is your effort towards that achievable goal.
SHAMELESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PLUG TIME!
Rad Consultants has fully jumped into AI workflows using a tool called n8n. As you share your book recommendation with me, also let me know who that you know could benefit from sprinkling a little AI into their operations or sales tedium.
And check out my DisruptHR talk focused on AI and jobs!