I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

May 23 - Plato’s View

I haven’t had much success with taking the bird’s eye view. It puts things in perspective but it doesn’t necessarily change the problem. Both sides have to be willing to take this view. What has helped is reflecting on what I used to be upset about and realize how silly or small that thing really was.

May 24 - It Is Well To Be Flexible

Golf has a lot of practice to this stoic. I recently struggled with this using my driver. I was hitting high shots to the left. I tried one thing and it did it again. And another. I eventually did figure it out but only after several more tries. My scores suffered and there was a lot of frustration. It reminded me to stay humble

May 25 - This Is What We’re Here For

Struggle is a human objective. I recently had a conversation where I was told about all these negative things. I responded that things were better than they had been. This did not sit well. The house market was brought up as an example. I didn’t respond.

I do believe things are better. The housing market is the result of progress. Work in the office is being challenge and redefined. That’s progress in my view.

May 26 - Blow Your Own Nose

It can be difficult to move forward when it feels like the world is out to get me. I’ve had to remind myself it’s on step/day at a time. It sucks but progress is good.

May 27 - When To Stick And When To Quit

I am the person always looking for the constant change. This is at the grocery store and driving on the road. I’ve worked to get better at being patient in my switches and accepting those outcomes.

May 28 - Finding The Right Mentors

Mentorship seems to be big right now in the tech field. I think it’s a good thing. I remind people though that mentorship isn’t always one way. We can learn from any type of person because we all have different experiences. Books are also a powerful way.

May 29 - Brick By Boring Brick

I’ve gotten away from this in golf. No counting up the score on a hole or round until it’s done. I’ve found rounds much more enjoyable and less frustrating. Shots don’t matter until the end because each shot requires attention.

May 30 - Solve Problems Early

I am working to better handle issues at the current moment. If it’s not critical I push it off. They often come around later.

May 31 - You Can Do It

I believe I can succeed at anything. This is something I try to instill in people around me.

June 1 - Just Don’t Make Things Worse

As I’ve improved at golf I find I’m getting more frustrated when things go bad. It’s ego and it ends up making things worse. I remind myself it’s part of the process and better swings are ahead.

June 2 - A Trained Mind Is Better Than Any Script

Flexibility and adaptability are something I pride myself on. I love this quote from Billy Beane in the Moneyball movie.

“Adapt or die.”

June 3 - Life Is A Battlefield

I’m starting to figure out my own battlefield. It’s different from others because we all have different from others because we all have different priorities.

June 4 - Try The Other Handle

I’ve struggled with trying the other handle. I don’t think I fully understand it. I do feel like being on vacation can be like grabbing the other handle because I’m in different scenarios. It gets us out of our day-to-day routine. I feel freer and more clear headed because I just have the essentials.

June 5 - Listening Accomplishes More Than Speaking

Listening is something I try to do more than talking. Of course my father was a preacher so I can get out of listening more and get into chatty mode.

June 6 - No Shame In Needing Help

Help is not something I always seek. I can be a bit stubborn in that regard. It’s not ego. It’s more wanting to help others.

June 7 - Offense Or Defense

Offense is exhausting but some times necessary. I believe there is a balance. I think the defense is better because it allows the other side to get worn down. The question is how to apply this in life.

June 8 - Prepared And Active

I’ve struggled with this a lot at work. I’ve done a better job preparing for daily work. One realization I had after three years of management is that I was starting all over again. A lot like middle school to high school. I was a freshman barking at seniors. I have since accepted my position and strive for a more senior position.

June 9 - Stay Focused On The Present

When I golf I try to focus shot to shot. It takes a bit of practice. Some times I waiver and look at the overall score. That has a tendency to insight over confidence or worse frustration. My round of golf yesterday felt like a typical bad round. This time I was more focused on shot to shot. The outcome was much better than I expected when the round was complete

June 10 - Calm Is Contagious

I’ve had to learn to remain calm in my line of work. Things can easily get out of hand. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt is something that is rampant within the field. There are certainly times of urgency but only after all the info has been vetted.

Yesterday - Take A Walk

I’ve incorporated more walks into my life. I still fill like I could do it more. It’s often hard to stop in the moment and go for a walk but when I can it is refreshing. I don’t necessarily solve all my problems. I know I’m on the right path though. +

Today - The Definition of Insanity

Progress can be a small thing and easily overlooked. It’s hard to change habits by doing a 180. Some times there are motivation factors. Other times it’s the desire to improve and that takes patience and time. I’ve been working on not beating myself up and instead trying to identify what progress I did make. How I’ve changed this year verse last year. I am doing things better than a year ago and that’s because I’m making tweaks and trying to improve in different ways.