How to Start Demanding the Best for Yourself: A Stoic Guide
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Understanding the Call for Self-Improvement
In the Enchiridion, a foundational text by the philosopher Epictetus, he provocatively asks, “How long will you wait before demanding the best for yourself?” If you are engaging with this content, it’s likely that you have a desire for personal growth. However, Epictetus challenges us to consider the seriousness of our commitment to that growth.
Sharon Lebell’s modern interpretation of Epictetus emphasizes the urgency of this call:
“It’s time to earnestly pursue your ideals. How long can you delay becoming the person you aspire to be? Your higher self cannot afford to wait any longer. Implement your values right now. Stop making excuses and procrastinating. This is your life! You have matured beyond childhood. The sooner you embark on your spiritual journey, the more fulfilled you will feel. Delaying this path may leave you susceptible to mediocrity and filled with shame and regret, as you recognize your potential for more.”
Similarly, the esteemed psychologist Abraham Maslow pointed out that settling for anything less than your potential can lead to lifelong dissatisfaction. He noted:
“We fear our highest possibilities. In moments of great courage, we can glimpse our true potential, but we often recoil in fear and awe from these very possibilities.”
What barriers prevent you from demanding more of yourself? Is the fear Maslow discusses hindering your journey toward your true potential?
The Importance of Intention and Urgency
To truly demand the best from yourself, it requires both intention and a sense of urgency. The Stoics believed in learning from those who have walked this path before us. Epictetus advised his students to look up to Socrates, saying:
“Whenever you face something challenging or pleasurable, remember that you are in a contest: you are at the Olympic Games, and the time to act is now. Socrates fulfilled his potential by prioritizing reason in all his experiences. Although you may not yet be Socrates, strive to live as someone who aspires to embody his principles.”
How can you be more purposeful and clear about your growth journey?
Deliberate Practice and Intentional Choices
Psychologist and performance expert Anders Ericsson, in his book Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, asserts that deliberate practice requires specific and well-defined goals. It focuses on enhancing particular aspects of performance, rather than vague overall improvements. Ericsson underscores a key truth about practice:
“If you never push yourself beyond your comfort zone, you will never improve.”
Epictetus echoed this sentiment, urging his students not to simply read for knowledge, but to assess their growth through actions and reflections. Demanding the best from yourself ultimately boils down to the choices you make.
To paraphrase Maslow, “You can choose to retreat to safety or advance toward growth. Growth must be chosen repeatedly; fear must be confronted continually.”
Thank you for engaging with this material; I trust you found valuable insights.
The first video titled, “How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” explores the urgency of self-improvement and the importance of taking action now.
The second video, “3 Stoic Rules for a Wealthy Life,” delves into Stoic principles that can guide you toward a more fulfilling and prosperous existence.