How to Control the Uncontrollable: 10 Game Changing Ideas to Help You Think Like a Stoic and Build a Resilient Life

by Ben Aldridge

Overview

“The more we value things outside our control the less control we have” Epictetus

 

Every one of us will encounter tough times. There’s no escape.  This is what it means to be human. But what if there was a way to make these tough times easier?

 

Enter Stoicism.

 

This ancient Greek philosophy has a lot to offer that is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago – its guiding purpose was to help us to live better lives.  The Stoic Golden Rule was that “we can’t control external events, but we can choose how to respond to them”. This idea can have a profound effect on how we exist in the world.

 

Taking Stoic philosophy into the everyday, practical philosopher and adventurer Ben Aldridge, explores the 10 key Stoic guiding principles and how they can help you build a more resilient life.  

 

This book isn’t just for philosophizing - it’s a book for doing. 

 

Ben also shares a host of challenges that you can use to put Stoicism into practice.  These include:

 

·       Creating your own anti-bucket list

·       Intentionally experiencing voluntary discomfort

·       Cultivating a non-judgemental approach to life

·       Contemplating your own mortality (Memento Mori)

 

“You have the power over your mind – not outside events.  Realize this, and you will find strength” Marcus Aurelius

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781801290425
Publisher:	Trigger Publishing
Publication date:	06/14/2022
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,021,392
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ben writes about practical philosophy, comfort zones, mental health and adventure.  The challenges that he sets for himself and his readers are often quirky, fun and demanding. You can connect with Ben by visiting www.benaldridge.com or via his Instagram, @dothingsthatchallengeyou.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Part 1 Ben's Guide to Stoicism 1

1 What's All This Stoicism Business, Anyway? 3

2 A Brief History of Stoicism 17

Part 2 The Stoic Principles 29

3 Principle 1: Voluntary Discomfort 31

4 Principle 2: Perception 45

5 Principle 3: Setbacks 59

6 Principle 4: Self-reflection 73

7 Principle 5: Role Models 87

8 Principle 6: Negative Visualization 99

9 Principle 7: Managing Strong Emotions 113

10 Principle 8: Dealing with Others 127

11 Principle 9: Memento Mori 141

12 Principle 10: The Cosmic Perspective 155

Part 3 Putting Stoicism into Practice 169

13 Stoic Words 171

14 The Stoic Challenges 175

15 The Future of Stoicism 185

16 Upgrading Stoicism 191

Final Thoughts 197

How to Build a Stoic Library 199

The Stoic Cheat Sheet 209

Acknowledgements 215

Come and Say Hi 217