Stop Putting Imaginary Pressure on Yourself

2024-06-03

I think having a sene of urgency and responsibility when it comes to your career is one of the biggest motivators. But if you put too much pressure on yourself to succeed, it can work against you. This is a dynamic that I’m constantly trying to balance. Last year, when I finished the final draft of my new book, The Stoic Path to Wealth, I immediatly started thinking about the marketing campaign. My self talk included a lot of “I need to do” xyz. And then, I would think, “If I don’t do this, the book won’t succe...

I think having a sene of urgency and responsibility when it comes to your career is one of the biggest motivators.

But if you put too much pressure on yourself to succeed, it can work against you. This is a dynamic that I’m constantly trying to balance.

Last year, when I finished the final draft of my new book, The Stoic Path to Wealth, I immediatly started thinking about the marketing campaign.

My self talk included a lot of “I need to do” xyz. And then, I would think, “If I don’t do this, the book won’t succeed.”

This type of “I need to do X (action) otherwise y (bad outcome) will happen” thinking is a complete and utter waste of your energy.

And you must avoid it as soon as you become aware of it. Here’s what Epictetus said about that:

“If you want to make progress, dismiss this kind of reasoning: ‘If I neglect my business, I will have nothing to live on.’ It is better to starve to death in a calm and confident state of mind than to live anxiously amidst abundance.”

The truth is: You don’t need a lot to have happiness and peace.

Pre-order The Stoic Path to Wealth

My new book is coming out July 16th. It shows you how to build enduring wealth in the stock market.

Learn more: ⁠⁠stoicpathtowealth.com⁠

Comments (3)