17 Reasons I Embrace Stoicism to Excel as a Leader, Entrepreneur, and Dad.

Stoicism isn’t just ancient wisdom; it guides us to make better decisions and helps us stay grounded. Whether you’re at the helm of a business, leading a team, or juggling the joys and challenges of raising two awesome daughters (like I am). Here’s why Stoicism is my go-to philosophy for keeping my head in the game as a leader, entrepreneur, and father.

1. Control What You Can

Ray Dalio hit the nail on the head: “If you worry, you suffer twice.” Stoicism’s all about focusing on what’s in our hands, especially when business curves or dad duties throw us for a loop.

2. Build That Resilience

Jim Collins talks about facing hard truths without losing hope. Stoicism’s got this idea of expecting the unexpected, which is important whether you’re steering a startup or teaching your kids to bounce back. Stoicism teaches us to be aware of the negative but also to be prepared for it. This is often completed in the form of negative visualisation. Bad sh#t is going to happen; that’s life, so best to be prepared.

3. Keep Emotions in Check

It’s easy to lose it when pressures mount, be it making tough calls at work or herding the kids out the door. Stoicism reminds us to step back, reflect, and keep our cool, which is a game-changer.

4. Be Here Now

Ryan Holiday champions being present, and Stoicism is big on this. Fully showing up, whether in a meeting or at dinner with my daughters, makes all the difference.

5. Simplicity for the Win

Simplicity is the key. Cutting through the clutter makes leading and living way more effective and fulfilling.

6. See the Other Side

Understanding different viewpoints is key. Stoicism teaches us to walk in others’ shoes, which is invaluable for teamwork and teaching empathy to my daughters.

7. Lead by Doing

The best teaching is by example, right? Stoicism is all about living your virtues, which I strive to do both at work and home.

8. Decide Wisely

Reflective thinking is a Stoic staple. Walter Isaacson showed in his many great biographies on the greatest leaders and entrepreneurs how great minds do this, and it’s crucial for navigating business and parenting waters.

9. Fail Forward

Marcus Aurelius said, “What stands in the way becomes the way.” Viewing setbacks as growth opportunities is a mindset that’s key in business and something I’m keen on passing to my daughters.

10. Stick to Your Ethics

Stoicism’s big on justice, guiding us to act with integrity, which lays the foundation for trust in business and teaching values at home.

11. Ambition vs. Contentment

Doing good leads to success. Stoicism’s balance between striving and being content keeps us from getting lost in the pursuit of more. If you take care of the things that matter, the rest will take care of itself.

12. Compassionate Leadership

Balancing firmness with kindness is both a leadership and parenting challenge. Stoicism helps navigate this with grace.

13. Gratitude is Key

Taking time to appreciate what we have enriches both our professional and family lives. It’s a Stoic practice that brings loads of positivity.

14. Actions Speak Loudest

Stoicism reminds us that doing beats saying every time — a principle that’s golden for leading effectively and parenting authentically.

15. Patience Pays Off

In our instant-gratification world, Stoicism’s call for patience is a life-saver for making strategic decisions and guiding my daughters as they grow (especially in the ‘instant gratification’ world we live in now).

16. Foster Independence

Teaching self-reliance is something Stoicism and I are both pretty passionate about, whether it’s empowering a team or raising independent-minded girls.

17. Learn from Challenges

Every challenge has a lesson — that’s Stoic wisdom. This approach fuels continuous growth, crucial for business resilience and life lessons for my daughters.

Integrating Stoicism into daily life isn’t just about personal peace; it’s a practical roadmap for making a positive impact in the business world and at home. With these principles, Stoicism isn’t just a philosophy; it’s the backbone of how I navigate the complexities of leadership, entrepreneurship, and fatherhood.