The Daily Stoic

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100 Life Lessons From Marcus Aurelius Dec 31, 2023

Show notes

Meditations is perhaps the only document of its kind ever made. It is the private thoughts of the world’s most powerful man giving advice to himself on how to make good on the responsibilities and obligations of his positions. Trained in Stoic philosophy, Marcus Aurelius stopped almost every night to practice a series of spiritual exercises—reminders designed to make him humble, patient, empathetic, generous, and strong in the face of whatever he was dealing with.

Today, Ryan breaks down 100 applicable life lessons from his years of reading and studying Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

If you want to spend time with more dedicated Stoics, if you want to join a culture full of people rising together, we invite you to join the 2024 Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge. We did the first New Year New You Challenge in 2018, and year after year, we’ve realized more and more that one of the core benefits of the challenge is the community dynamic. Change and improvement comes fastest through culture, results through accountability, and wisdom through exposure to new people and new ideas.

If you’re ready to join our own version of the Scipionic Circle, if you want to surround yourself with like-minded individuals and people who will push you, sign up to join this year’s group of Stoics taking on the New Year New You Challenge!

Participants will receive:

✓ 21 Custom Challenges Delivered Daily (Over 30,000 words of all-new original content)

✓ Three live Q&A sessions

✓ Printable 21-Day Calendar With custom daily illustrations to track progress

✓ Access to a Private Community Platform

These aren’t pie-in-the-sky, theoretical discussions but clear, immediate exercises and methods you can begin right now to spark the reinvention you’ve been trying for. We’ll tell you what to do, how to do it, and why it works. And when adversity inevitably comes around, you’ll be ready.

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Why They Do This Dec 31, 2023

Show notes

They come from all over the world. They have little in common. And, for some reason, instead of beginning the New Year by making resolutions, they begin by taking on a set of actionable challenges. Some of the challenges are physical. Some are mentally challenging. Some spur them to practically investigate and overcome internal adversities. Others have them take on external adversities out in the real world. Some of the challenges are completed in a single day and others over the course of the year.

Every morning, the email arrives in your inbox, and it presents you with an opportunity to prove who is in charge. To do the harder thing. To take on the challenge. To not follow the drift of least resistance. To get in the habit of choosing the more difficult option.

This is your last chance to start 2024 with the habit of showing yourself who is in charge. Sign up for the New Year New You Challenge TODAY!

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Rob Dyrdek, Rick Rubin, Alexander Ludwig, Whitney Cummings, Nate Boyer, And Arnold Schwarzenegger On The Power Of Discipline And Dealing With Failure Dec 30, 2023

Show notes

Today’s episode features clips from some of the best interviews in 2023. Ryan talks to reality TV personality, and former professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek, along withrecord executive and co-founder of Def Jam Records Rick Rubin about the value of experimenting with new methods and building a routine that fits you. Ryan also talks with Alexander Ludwig, and Whitney Cummings over trusting the process and continuing to be disciplined during the hard times. Lastly, he speaks with Nate Boyer and Arnold Schwarzenegger about creating the skill of powering through and knowing how to stop yourself from quitting. That having a clear vision of what you want is what should drive you to keep going.

Participants will receive:

✓ 21 Custom Challenges Delivered Daily (Over 30,000 words of all-new original content)

✓ Three live Q&A sessions

✓ Printable 21-Day Calendar With custom daily illustrations to track progress

✓ Access to a Private Community Platform

Rob Dyrdek - Youtube

Rick Rubin - The Creative ACT: A Way of Being

Alexander Ludwig - Instagram

Whitney Cummings - Instagram

Nate Boyer - Twitter

Arnold Schwarzenegger - Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life

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This Is What They Do | Give Thanks Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

The latter was something that the late Paul Woodruff tried to remind himself, having picked up the insight from Marcus Aurelius. The squirrels were not trying to give Paul a hard time, they did not mean any harm when they stole the birdseed he was putting out. As Paul explained in his wonderful episode on the Daily Stoic podcast before he died, he came to understand that the squirrels were simply doing what they do. They were doing what their nature demanded.

Some people are thieves. Some people are exaggerators. Some people are moody. Some people are exasperatingly friendly. Kids are loud. Mosquitos bite. This is their nature. They are doing what is demanded of them, what’s been ordained for them.

And with today's meditation on the day's Daily Journal excerpt, Ryan reminds us that gratitude is something we gift ourselves by actively practicing. For the last five years, we have been doing what we call the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge—a set of 21 actionable challenges, presented one per day, built around the best, most timeless wisdom in Stoic philosophy. 21 challenges designed to set you up to be able to say, whatever happens in 2024 and beyond, this is precisely what I trained for.. Demand more of yourself in 2024. Prepare for whatever is ahead. Head over todailystoic.com/challengeand sign up NOW!

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There Is No Better Time Than Now | Ask DS Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

At last the day came and you made a New Year’s resolution that would get rid of the whole base evil. And then the next year came around and you were doing the same old evil thing. Can you remember the surprise and disappointment that gripped you when you discovered that…after all that you had done through your resolutions to get rid of it—the old habit was still there? And out of amazement you found yourself asking, “Why could I not cast it out?”

So we’ll leave you today by putting a challenge in front of you. For the last four years, we have been doing what we call the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge—a set of 21 actionable challenges, presented one per day, built around the best, most timeless wisdom in Stoic philosophy. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky, theoretical discussions but clear, immediate exercises and methods you can begin right now to spark the reinvention you’ve been trying for. We’ll tell you what to do, how to do it, and why it works.

From these challenges, you will:

✓ Learn to stop procrastinating and avoiding the change you truly desire

✓ Build new habits that form a strong foundation for change

✓ Abandon the harmful habits that are dragging you down

✓ Strengthen your character, becoming a more virtuous version of yourself

And above all: You will find out just how much you are capable of.

Every morning, the email arrives in your inbox, and it presents you with a choice. You can do the harder thing, you can do the challenge. Or you can follow the drift of least resistance—you can open the email and leave it at that. Or worse…you can ignore this call right now and not sign up at all. Which way will you go?

In today's Ask Daily Stoic, Ryan talks stoics and answers questions in part 2 of 3 Q&A for 60 students at The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army. West Point is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. It is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.

The 2024 New Year New You Challenge officially begins on Monday, January 1st. Stop delaying. Head over to dailystoic.com/challenge and sign up NOW! Let’s go.

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Matthew McConaughey, Greg Harden, Morgan Wade, Casey Neistat & Dr. Samantha Boardman On Creating Better Habits in 2024 Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Today’s episode features clips from some of the best interviews in 2023. Ryan talks to Academy Award-winning actor and producer Matthew McConaughey, life coach, and executive consultant Greg Hardenwho is best known for his work with 7-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady, American country music singer Morgan Wade, and YouTube personality, filmmaker, vlogger, Casey Neistat, the co-founder of the multimedia company Beme, and Dr. Samantha Boardman, a Positive Psychologist based in New York who received a B.S. from B.A. from Harvard University, an M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, about focusing on what’s in your control, Self Improvement and creating habits that fit your everyday life.

Participants will receive:

✓ 21 Custom Challenges Delivered Daily (Over 30,000 words of all-new original content)

✓ Three live Q&A sessions

✓ Printable 21-Day Calendar With custom daily illustrations to track progress

✓ Access to a Private Community Platform

Greg Harden Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive

Dr. Samantha Boardman Everyday Vitality: Turning Stress into Strength

Matthew McConaughey, Greenlights

Casey Neistat, Youtube

Morgan Wade, Website

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Nothing Better Than A Simple Pleasure Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Sometimes it’s obvious why certain things are expensive, why people will pay more for it. The feel of a luxury vehicle. The taste of one of those insane smoothies from Erewhon. The upgrade to a better seat on an airplane.

It’s not cheap, and maybe you don’t do it all the time, but when you can afford it, you go for it. It almost makes you question this whole Stoicism thing, you wonder if perhaps you’re not more of an Epicurean after all.

For the last five years, we have been doing what we call the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge—a set of 21 actionable challenges, presented one per day, built around the best, most timeless wisdom in Stoic philosophy. 21 challenges designed to help you do exactly what King and Epictetus were talking about: Rising up, driving out the bad, and taking action on becoming the person you know you’re capable of being.

These aren’t pie-in-the-sky, theoretical discussions but clear, immediate exercises and methods you can begin right now to spark the reinvention you’ve been trying for. We’ll tell you what to do, how to do it, and why it works. And when next year comes around, you will not be doing the same old evil thing. Out of amazement you will find yourself saying, “I cast it out.”

Join us by heading over to dailystoic.com/challenge and sign up NOW!

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Are You Dug In? | 7 Perspective Shifting Stoic Tips From Actors, Writers, and Politicians Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

What about you? Are you ready for the inevitable, unending challenges that lay ahead? Just think about what 2024 could bring—we’re facing global conflicts, a make-or-break presidential election, untamed inflation, climate change…plus all the regular stuff! How dug in are you? How tough is your inner citadel? How is your battle stance? How sharp are your weapons? How prepared is your mind?

Are you a wrestler? You have to be.

For the last five years, thousands of Stoics from across the globe have joined us in the New Year New You Challenge—a set of 21 actionable challenges, presented one per day, built around the best, most timeless wisdom in Stoic philosophy. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky, theoretical discussions but clear, immediate exercises and methods you can begin right now to spark the reinvention you’ve been trying for. We’ll tell you what to do, how to do it, and why it works.

And in today's Daily Stoic video excerpt, Ryan quotes Seneca, “There is the need for someone against which our characters can measure themselves. Without a ruler, you won’t make the crooked straight.” We need mentors, teachers, and coaches to make us better. The key to peak performance is to always remain a student. Always seek opportunities to challenge yourself and your team. Always. Be. Learning.

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Will You Receive This Gift? | Turn Words Into Works Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

This is the story of Jesus, who people all over the world celebrate today on Christmas. But just as well, this is the story of Seneca. Remarkably, Seneca and Jesus lived nearly parallel lives. Not only that, but they were also born—according to many sources—in the same year. No one can confirm for certain the exact birth date for either, but it is indisputable that two of history’s greatest philosophers walked the earth at the same time.

More incredible is just how much their teachings overlap. And it’s worth taking some time this Christmas morning to consider those similarities.

You have to seek out challenges. You have to find ways to keep growing. You can’t stay the same. You can’t betray your potential. You can’t wait any longer to demand the best for yourself. Demand more of yourself in 2024. Sign up and join us in the Daily Stoic New Year New You Challenge TODAY!

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And in today's Daily Stoic journal reading, Ryan reminds us that the art of living will never be found anywhere but in our own efforts to be good people, to get active in our rescue, and starting the year off by holding ourselves accountable.

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A New You For a New Year Dec 24, 2023

Show notes

It’s kind of crazy to think how recent December 2019 feels. Not that long ago, it seems, we were getting ready for what a new decade might bring us. It’s even crazier when the truth settles in: 2019 was FOUR years ago. We are almost half way into that “new” decade.

So much has changed. So much has happened. But at the same time, so little has changed. We’re still struggling with the same things. The aspirations we had back in 2019—this was the year we were going to turn a new leaf, lose weight, start that big project, learn a new language, work on our temper—are still there, that potential still waiting to be realized.

Our New Year New You Challenge is all-new content, guided by thousands of responses and reactions to our previous challenges, courses, videos, and emails. It’s a whole new challenge based on painstaking research and timeless science, for an all-new, life changing experience.

✉️ Sign up for the Daily Stoic email: https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail

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