Over the past 4 weeks, it has been rewarding to ponder the process of overcoming adversity. In one article, I chronicled my partner's learning process with entrepreneurship. As great as that has been, she has faced her share of adversity throughout the process.
Beyond that, she is struggling with chronic fatigue and finds herself visiting her naturopathic doctor, spending hundreds of dollars on cleanses, and finding little relief. Most recently, she found out that she has an underactive thyroid and requires a special type of diet. Not only is she facing adversity in her business life, she's facing it in her personal life as well.
And yet, this is the human condition.
Humans have faced adversity from the beginning of time. One could reasonably argue that we have never had it as good as now. Our ancestors faced far worse adversity than challenges us. Whether you are currently faced with an overwhelming health condition or your business is faltering, utilizing these ancient mental techniques can fundamentally alter your life.
What the Greeks Got Right
A form of living called Stoicism is perhaps one of the most famous and prominent mental models from the ancient Greek era. The city states of Thebes, Sparta, and Athens produced numerous Stoic thinkers who had the following to say about adversity:
1. Some things are within our control, and some things are not - this is part of a quote from Epictetus who knew that happiness and freedom was only achieved when we learned to distinguish between the two. With things that are within our control, it is easy to strive for our best. However, we must understand when things cannot be influenced by us and let them go.
When my partner realized her labels were printed incorrectly and she needed new ones, she could not control how quickly the mail brought her replacements. She could only order the new labels as fast as she could with the right specifications and hope that the mail would come in a timely fashion. The same holds true for anyone who is in business or struggling with their health.
2. Right action is all we have - the Greeks had a philosophy about "right action", which was essentially taking action with discipline with mindful and conscious motivations. Action alone is not useful when faced with adversity, but right action always is.
When I wake up at 5:30 AM, I do my gratitude journal, meditate, and then get started with my daily tasks. That is my definition of right action, but it may be different than another's.
3. Remain in the present - One stoic by the name of Seneca once wrote that "wild animals run from the dangers they actually see, and once they have escaped them worry no more. We however are tormented alike by what is past and what is to come... no one confines his unhappiness to the present."
Hopefully we can avoid worry at all, but if we must be anxious or worried, let it be because of a current situation rather than the past or the future. This can be incredibly difficult when facing a health issue like an inactive thyroid, but replaying the potential detrimental effects of the future will do you no good.