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Thursday, January 13, 2011

New Years Resolutions

New Years Resolutions, although evidently an old practice, aren't talked about by the Stoics as far as I've read. But, I think that the modern method of stating goals as desired outcomes is not very well in keeping with Stoic philosophy.

For example, if your goal is to lose weight, this is actually something you don't have direct control over. We can't control our weight directly, but only our actions that are likely to lead to weight loss or gain. So, instead of a goal that says you want to lose weight, set a goal that says you will not eat unless hungry. Or a goal that says you will only eat a dessert once a week. These are goals that can be accomplished, and since they can be accomplished, they are easier to stick to.

To take another example, instead of having a goal to get promoted at work, which is something out of your control, you can have a goal to improve the quality or quantity of your work.

In essence, we are less setting goals than setting good habits for us to follow. This seems much easier, and much less stressful, than goals.

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