We live in an age marked by overanalysis and drama – at least for some. Before doing anything, from sending an email to choosing an outfit or applying for a promotion, we think about it not once or twice, but fifty times. We search for the perfect moment, the unmistakable sign, the perfect path. And in that loop of worries, our lives are lost.
To stop that spiral of thoughts that lead nowhere, Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor, offered some crystal-clear advice in his Meditations: don’t get caught up in it. Stop planning so much and just do what you have to do. No drama.
When thought paralyzes
Overthinking things leads to analysis paralysis. It’s a phenomenon in which we think so hard about all the possibilities, risks, and consequences that we can’t seem to move on. We get stuck in a loop, like when you have to send an important email, but you check it twenty times, change a comma, reread it… and then end up sending it late or not at all. Meanwhile, the problem grows or the opportunity slips away.
And while we’re mulling it over, we’re adding layers of obstacles of our own making. We think about everything that could go wrong. What others might think of us. What we could lose… Like when you put off asking for a raise because you imagine a thousand and one negative reactions from your boss, or you delay a doctor’s appointment for fear of a diagnosis, ignoring that such delay also has consequences.
To counteract this tendency toward procrastination, Marcus Aurelius recommended: “Always stick to the first ideas and don’t add anything of your own; that way, nothing will happen to you.” In other words, stick to the facts. This way, you’ll have a more objective view and be able to find a more appropriate solution, without getting sucked into the melodramatic story that the mind often creates.
And how is that achieved?
Marcus Aurelius advised: “Do not drag yourself along in your actions, nor get entangled in conversations, nor wander about in representations […] If you see a bitter cucumber, throw it away. Brambles in the path, push them away. Stop it, do not comment: ‘Why did these things arise in the universe?‘”
In other words, when something isn’t working, bothers you, or hinders you, act with what’s in your power and stop dwelling on what you can’t change. And, above all, stop thinking that the world is conspiring against you or looking for someone to blame on whom to vent your frustration.
If your bus is delayed, take the opportunity to listen to that podcast you never have time to listen to, instead of ruminating for twenty minutes about how bad public transportation is. If you spill coffee on your shirt right before a meeting, take a deep breath and use it as an opportunity to break the ice, instead of spending the whole morning sulking about your clumsiness.
This thought from Marcus Aurelius invites us to face the obstacles, setbacks, and problems that arise in our path with the greatest possible equanimity. It’s about finding the most productive way out and not giving too much rein to catastrophic thinking to prevent it from creating a storm in a teacup.
“Life must be organized action by action, and if each action achieves its full potential, it must be satisfied,” said Marcus Aurelius. Therefore, the secret lies in taking one step at a time. Going little by little, solving problems as they arise, without trying to rush or anticipate negative events.
In practice, this can be translated into some very concrete steps:
- Identify the fact, not the story. Before reacting, ask yourself: “What exactly is happening?” Don’t focus on what you fear or what you think will happen, but on the pure data. For example, “My boss asked me to talk tomorrow” isn’t the same as saying, “I’m sure he’s going to fire me.”
- Get going. Do what you have to do. Instead of spending hours deciding how to start a project, start with the simplest task, even if it’s not ideal. It doesn’t matter; the important thing is to get started. Then momentum will keep you going.
- Ground yourself. When you find your mind ruminating nonstop, shift your focus. Focus on an action that brings you back to the present, from watering the plants to taking a walk. Changing your environment and energizing your body calms your emotions and helps you regain control.
- Accept what you can’t change and adjust what you can. Ask yourself: “Is this up to me? ” If the answer is “no,” save your energy and focus on what is within your control. It’s difficult, but not impossible. And when you achieve it, it brings you great peace of mind.
Of course, thinking before acting is important. Weighing different strategies and considering the consequences is important. But it’s equally important not to get caught in that procrastination loop. Because planning is one thing, and worrying uselessly is another.
Stoic philosophy does not exalt impulsiveness; it simply advocates pragmatism, because it is in this rational and decisive attitude that, according to them, we can find balance and keep moving forward.
Translation: You don’t need another TED Talk, more self-help books , or a perfect manifesting vision board. Sometimes you just need to get started. Even if it’s a small task. Take a step in the right direction, even if you don’t feel like it. Simply because you know it’s what you have to do. Dare to do it with the conviction that it’s better to do it than to dwell on it forever.
Source:
Marco Aurelio (1977) Meditaciones. Madrid: Editorial Gredos.
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