Stoics talk a lot about control – focusing on those things you can control and disregarding what you cannot. In reality, there isn’t much we have control over except the mind and how we perceive things. In a rare occurrence, my Stoic nature was put to the test and I was presented with the choice to freak out or get shit done.
I accidentally set the wrong alarm the night before. The alarm I set had no sound, only vibrated. So as I slowly woke up, feeling abnormally well rested and surprised my alarm hadn’t gone off yet, I felt something was up. I had missed my alarm and woke up two hours later than I wanted for work.
In that moment, I realized the Stoic Gods were putting me to the test. I had a choice: to do what I normally do – freak out, rush around to get ready, and start my morning on an anxious foot or I could stay calm and be different.
I chose the latter option and decided to focus completely on what I could control and the necessary steps I had to take. First, I texted my boss and informed him of my mistake. From there, I promptly showered and dressed – not rushing, but moving quickly but diligently. I readied myself and hit the road as quick as I could without the added stress of racing around.
When we freak out, we do nothing but cause problems. We make mistakes, forget things, put our mindset out of whack, and place ourselves on the wrong foot for the remainder of the day. Stress and anxiety places too much strain on the mind and body and has horrible affects on our productivity and mental sharpness.
Making the choice to stay calm, see the situation for what it is, and focus on what’s necessary is a productive way to proceed. You know what you have to do, so do those things. There’s no reason to add a stress factor. You can’t change the fact that you woke up late, all you can do is move forward from here.
When you’re put to the test, give yourself a moment to assess the situation. Your emotional response may tell you to freak out, overreact, and rush, but if you pause, your logic will kick in. When you allow rational thinking to take over, you can consider what you need to focus on and the most important steps you need to take. See the situation for what it is without adding labels. Just do what needs to be done.
Stay calm and stay rational. This isn’t the end of the world. You’ll make it through whatever test the Universe has sent you and the only way to get a good grade is to focus on what you have control over.
August 29, 2024
