Imagine standing in a courtroom as the judge announces your sentence—45 years to serve in federal prison. At 23 years old, I didn’t have any idea how to cope with what lay ahead. Yet, it was during this seemingly impossible chapter of my life that I stumbled upon a philosophy that would forever alter my mindset and equip me with tools to thrive.
That philosophy was Stoicism.
Over 2,000 years old, Stoicism has helped emperors, warriors, and everyday citizens cope with challenge and adversity. The teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus reminded me that while we can’t control the external world, we always hold the power to control our reactions, develop resilience, and move forward intentionally.
Later, these principles formed the backbone of my personal framework for success—which I applied to turn 9,500 days in prison into a training ground for transformation. Looking back, I see how Stoicism’s lessons prepared me to respond to setbacks with clarity, strength, and purpose. Now, I want to help modern entrepreneurs, professionals, and individuals find similar strategies when navigating stress, unpredictability, or high-stakes decisions.
If you’re balancing ambition with chaos or striving to lead with greater discipline, Stoicism may offer you practical tools to operate with greater control and focus. Here’s how.
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is a philosophy founded in ancient Greece and widely embraced during the Roman Empire. Key Stoic thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus emphasized that life is unpredictable and that we often can’t control external events. Instead, the Stoics focused on what we can control—our thoughts, actions, and responses.
The Stoics didn’t avoid hardship. On the contrary, they saw adversity as opportunities to practice resilience, improve character, and live with purpose. Their wisdom remains as relevant today as it was millennia ago—practical, actionable guidance for navigating professional challenges, personal crises, and everything in between.
Here are three key principles from Stoicism and how they can drive modern success.
1. Resilience Through Adversity
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius
By the time I read this quote in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, I already several years of prison behind me. I’d spent the first year in solitary. In the beginning, the only thing I wanted was to get out of jail, but after an officer introduced me to Socrates, I began to change the way I would think about the world and my role in it. Socrates inspired me to want to learn more, and I continued reading about people who had gone through challenging times.
Those books led me to stoicism. This philosophy didn’t allow space for blame or self-pity. Instead, it asked one fundamental question I couldn’t ignore—what is in your control?
For leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs, this principle is life-changing. We face uncontrollable variables every day—market crashes, teams falling short of expectations, economic downturns, or business competitors outpacing us overnight. But, by focusing on what’s within your control—your knowledge, actions, and adaptability—you build resilience that no external event can weaken.
Practical Steps to Build Resilience:
- Reframe Setbacks: Instead of dwelling on what went wrong in a project, ask yourself, What can I learn here that will position me to respond better next time?
- Focus on Action: Identify proactive steps you can take today, like experimenting with different tactics, improving workflow, or gathering fresh data. Avoid emotional paralysis.
- Develop a “Control Verbs” Log: Journal each day about situations where things didn’t go as planned. Reflect on how you chose to react positively.
2. Cultivating Emotional Discipline
“He who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary.” – Seneca
Stoicism taught me this truth the hard way. Early in my term, I invented mental catastrophes about circumstances I couldn’t yet control. But Seneca’s teaching clicked with me—many of our struggles, professionally and personally, are magnified by our emotional reactions rather than the actual situation.
- How often in business do we overreact to a single critical email, fearing it spells the demise of everything we’ve worked for?
- How many times are we sidetracked by internal conflicts that waste energy better spent on solutions?
Stoicism offers ways to tame these emotional impulses. By mastering emotional regulation, you make better decisions, use your resources wisely, and exude the calm leadership your peers and teams need.
Practical Steps for Emotional Discipline:
- Practice Journaling: Before reacting emotionally to an unexpected email or problem, take five minutes to journal, outlining the facts of the situation. Writing brings clarity.
- Daily Stoic Reflection: Ask yourself, What external event today am I allowing to control my emotions unnecessarily?
- Polar Opposite Exercises: Create self-discipline drills such as choosing to delay acting on a decision for 24 hours while calming emotions.
3. Mastering Decision-Making Under Pressure
“First, say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus
Stoicism doesn’t teach blind optimism; it teaches rational problem-solving. Unlike emotional catastrophizing or decision paralysis, Stoics advocate for logical, values-based decision-making.
During my term, decision-making wasn’t optional—it was survival.
- What would I do with no access to college? Start self-education.
- How could I contribute when locked in a cell? Start writing, journaling, preparing myself mentally for something larger.
For entrepreneurs or high-pressure leaders, this philosophy provides clarity amidst chaos. Decisions lose their weight when you see them through a Stoic lens. Identify your mission or long-term goal, and align your decisions accordingly—even if they’re difficult. Each choice gets filtered through, Does this action move me closer toward the impact I aim to achieve?
Practical Steps for Mastering Decisions:
- Define a Rational Process: When facing a multi-million-dollar decision, pause before acting. List immediate pros and cons, the potential long-term impact, and align outcomes with values.
- Break into Controllables: If weighing multiple factors in a plan feels overwhelming, break each into a simple pro/con of what your response would look like.
- Question “Urgency”: Not every fire alarm in business is urgent. Pause to ensure rushed decisions aren’t derailing focus on long-term projects.
Self-Reflection Exercises
Stoicism isn’t one-size-fits-all—it adapts to your lifestyle, challenges, and mission. To make its principles actionable, regularly pause to reflect with questions like these:
- What current situation am I fixating on that lies outside of my direct control?
- Which areas in life or work am I overcomplicating due to emotions rather than rational strategy?
- Am I living my values in the long-term, or am I giving in to convenience today?
By answering these questions honestly, you’ll uncover patterns in how you respond to setbacks and pressure.
Final Thoughts
Stoicism didn’t take away the adversity I faced during my 26 years in prison, but it gave me tools to transcend it. Those same tools can help anyone—leaders, creators, or parents—achieve greater clarity, resilience, and purpose in daily life.
Whether you’re managing a startup, navigating professional roadblocks, or simply striving to lead better, Stoic wisdom reminds us that success isn’t born from what happens to us—it rises from how we respond, control, and act.
I encourage you to explore applying these lessons widely within your personal and professional contexts. And, when in doubt, take inspiration from Marcus Aurelius’ timeless reminder to step forward with courage and control:
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good person should be. Be one.”
Self-Directed Question:
- What step will you take today toward mastering resilience, emotional discipline, or better decision-making?
