Meditations
Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is one of my favorite books. Here are some of my own meditations.
It’s always easier to go out of your comfort zone for another person or cause. Try doing it for your future self.
If fear or doubt is preventing you from taking action, say “fuck it” and pause your feelings for just long enough to do the thing. Then bask in the fear and doubt afterward.
If you’re not sure what to do in a given situation, follow these steps: (1) picture the person you want to be, (2) figure out what that person would do and (3) do it.
Do you enjoy being told what to do, even when you know it’s the best decision? Would you rather have been given the opportunity to define the course of action, yourself? Other people probably feel the same way.
Next time you’re taking part in a lively, group discussion, instead of making a chance to express your own idea, help someone else get a chance to express theirs.
Make someone else look good in front of others.
Next time you switch between fast-paced, low-risk work and slow-paced, high-risk work, take time to get into the right mindset.
Exercise for 30 minutes, at least 3 days per week. With a shower, it’s 1 hour out of your day, all in. Make excuses about why you can’t get a drink after work rather than excuses for not exercising.
If you want to de-stress, imagine that you’ve just entered your life at this very second. Everything and everyone you know, all of your past actions and current obligations are just what you’re starting out with. This is the reset button; press it whenever you need to.
Read the Tao Te Ching. The first time it won’t mean anything, and the second time it will mean everything.
Every way in which your life has structure is a convenience. None of that structure is really there. If you feel constrained, just let the structure fall away.
The next time you’re about to argue with someone, give them the benefit of the doubt. Try to find a contradicting assumption you’re making or a difference of opinion. Once you identify that, you can adjust or compromise, productively.
When someone’s words contradict their actions, ignore their words and trust their actions.
Be disciplined in all things. Don’t rush. Cover your bases. Be thoughtful. Take your time. Act carefully and with conviction. Don’t say something until you have formed your entire thought.
