Chapter 1: Understanding Stoicism

When I reflect on Stoicism, several key ideas come to mind:

• Mastering Emotions
• The virtue of temperance

(It's a term I struggle to remember due to my background with English being my second language.)

At its core, Stoicism emphasizes the need for self-control, which is essential for practicing the other three virtues and fully embracing Stoic philosophy.

However, I often find myself challenged in this area! My feelings of excitement, anger, and frustration can become overwhelming.

But here’s the twist: I have a knack for finding clever solutions. As an engineer, I design systems and processes to help me navigate my emotions.

So, allow me to introduce: My Unique 4-Step Method to Regulate Emotions and Find Balance™

We begin with: Step 1: Choose the Right Music

Select an energetic, vibrant, and bass-heavy track. If you find yourself unconsciously humming or tapping your foot while listening, you’ve found the right one.

Anime openings are particularly effective. Play one on repeat, and then move to: Step 2: Engage in Physical Activity

“But wait, isn’t the gym 23.5 minutes away by car?”

No need to hit the gym. Just get your body moving. The goal here is to exhaust your nervous system. It’s tough to feel emotional when you’re fatigued.

Put on your headphones and do some jumping jacks or push-ups; 15 minutes usually does the trick for me.

Next up: Step 3: Practice Meditation

The previous steps of exercise and lively music will help tire you out, but they might also pump you up too much. This step aims to bring everything back to a balanced state.

Find a quiet spot and breathe deeply for 5 to 15 minutes (if you can manage it). Concentrate on your breath. When distractions arise (and they will), gently bring your focus back to your breath.

The objective here is to embrace boredom and keep your mind from wandering.

Finally: Step 4: Take a Shower

After revving up your energy, it’s time to hit the brakes and find stillness for a moment. To complete this process, take a shower.

This not only cleanses away physical sweat and negative feelings but also allows your mind to roam freely, generating ideas that can inspire an amazing rest of your day.

I just completed this entire routine before drafting this piece. Now, I feel calm and ready to tackle whatever comes my way.

Give it a try!

“Those are the stories you’re seeking!”

— Jordan

PS: Wait a moment!

Before you start your own sweat session, you might want to sign up for my emails. They're packed with actionable insights on building a creator business, drawn from both my experiences and those of my clients.

Get my emails here—absolutely free.

Or, if you prefer to read while doing jumping jacks (a little odd, but I won't judge)—check out this playful yet informative story I wrote:

Stripe isn't a fan of how I craft sales page headlines (due to constant sale notifications).

I applied the same four principles to create this title.

Chapter 2: Practical Steps to Implement Stoicism

This video, "12 Steps To Become A Perfect Stoic," provides a comprehensive guide to applying Stoic principles in daily life, featuring practical steps and insights.

In "Stoicism 101," this step-by-step guide outlines essential practices for anyone looking to cultivate a Stoic mindset.