Stoicism in Your Life and Business

Originally published as an issue of the ResonanceX Newsletter on LinkedIn (December 2023).

Stoicism.

You’ve probably heard the word.
But it’s often misunderstood.

Stoicism isn’t about suppressing emotion or detaching from life.
It’s about clarity, control, and composure—especially when things don’t go as planned.

In both life and business, Stoicism offers a practical framework for navigating pressure, uncertainty, and responsibility with steadiness.

What Stoicism Is (and Why It Endures)

Stoicism is a philosophical school of thought that originated in ancient Greece and Rome.

At its core, it emphasizes:

• Rational thinking

• Self-control

• Personal responsibility

Stoic philosophy teaches us to:

• Focus on what is within our control

• Accept what is not

• Maintain emotional composure in the face of adversity

Stoics value virtues such as:

• Wisdom

• Courage

• Justice

• Moderation

By living in alignment with these principles, individuals cultivate inner peace, resilience, and a meaningful life—even amid uncertainty and hardship.

Applying Stoicism to Life and Business

Stoicism isn’t abstract philosophy.
It’s deeply practical—especially in high-stakes environments.

Here’s how Stoic principles show up in real life and business.

Emotional Resilience

Business can be stressful.
Life can be unpredictable.

Stoicism teaches emotional composure—not emotional avoidance.

You still feel.
You just don’t let emotions run the decision-making.

Resilience isn’t about avoiding difficulty.
It’s about meeting it with steadiness.

Focus on What’s in Your Control

One of the most powerful Stoic principles is simple:

Control what you can. Release what you can’t.

In business, this means focusing on:

• Your actions

• Your preparation

• Your decisions

Not:

• Other people’s reactions

• Market noise

• Outcomes you can’t dictate

Distraction often comes from chasing what doesn’t matter.
Clarity comes from narrowing focus to what does.

Learning From Failure

Stoicism reframes failure.

Mistakes aren’t something to hide from.
They’re something to learn from.

Failure becomes feedback.

Personally, I’ve embraced failure and learned to leverage it as a strength. It sharpens judgment, builds humility, and improves future decisions.

Ethical Leadership

Stoicism emphasizes virtuous conduct.

In leadership, this means:

• Acting with integrity

• Leading from the front

• Doing the right thing even when it’s inconvenient

Ethical leadership builds:

• Trust

• Reputation

• Long-term relationships

People follow leaders who are consistent—especially under pressure.

Gratitude as a Practice

Gratitude is often overlooked in business.

Stoicism reminds us to appreciate what is, not fixate on what’s missing.

Gratitude improves:

• Perspective

• Relationships

• Culture

And it starts internally.

When was the last time you thanked yourself for showing up?

Self-Reflection Without Judgment

Stoicism encourages reflection—but not self-criticism.

Journaling and reflection help you:

• Review decisions

• Observe reactions

• Identify improvement areas

The key is curiosity, not judgment.

Growth comes from awareness, not punishment.

Discipline and Focused Effort

Stoicism values discipline and effort.

Hard work matters—but so does intelligent effort.

I’m a strong believer in:

• The Pareto Principle

• 20% input for 80% output

Working hard on the right things compounds far faster than working hard on everything.

Time and Priority Management

Stoicism aligns naturally with prioritization.

Focus on:

• The important

• Not the urgent

When attention is directed intentionally, productivity follows.

Action Items

Daily Reflection and Journaling

Set aside a few minutes each day to reflect.

Consider:

• What triggered stress or emotion

• What was within your control

• How Stoic principles could guide a better response

Approach reflection with curiosity, not criticism.

Identify What’s in Your Control

List current challenges in your life and business.

Divide them into:

• Within my control

• Beyond my control

Focus your energy on what you can influence.
Practice letting go of the rest.

Embrace Adversity as Growth

When challenges arise, pause.

Ask:

• What can I learn here?

• How can this strengthen me?

• How does this align with resilience and wisdom?

Adversity becomes fuel when perspective shifts.

Closing Thought

Stoicism isn’t about being emotionless.

It’s about being intentional.

Clear in thought.
Steady in action.
Grounded in principle.

Try it.
A new approach may be exactly what’s needed.

For deeper exploration, Ryan Holiday is an excellent modern voice on Stoicism, and his writing is well worth reading.

ResonanceX is the writing and podcast ecosystem by Raymond Sjolseth, exploring alignment, capital, and intentional building.