11 Stoic Secrets To Better Habits

Small adjustments, good systems, the right processes—that’s what it takes.

The Stoics had a word, arete, which was the ultimate expression of human greatness—moral, physical, spiritual. It’s what the Stoics were chasing. It’s what you’re chasing today. Here are some Stoic secrets to better habits that Ryan Holiday is taking in the new year.

But how do we get there? Well, it requires a certain philosophical approach. Because brilliance and inspiration and skill are not enough. 

Excellence isn’t this thing you do one time. It’s a way of living. It’s fundamental. It’s like an operating system and the code this system operates on is habit. As you stare down the barrel of a new year, the question is: if you aren’t going to cultivate good habits now, when will you?

00:00 Intro
00:56 1. Think small
02:00 2. Join a program
02:33 3. Decide who you want to be
03:42 4. Create a routine
04:38 5. Lay out your supplies
05:26 6. Associate with people who make you better
06:28 7. Develop the muscle
07:19 8. Free up precious resources
08:21 9. Use physical reminders
09:19 10. Binge on good habits
10:13 11. Pick yourself up when you fall

#Stoicism​ #DailyStoic​ #RyanHoliday​

[favritzapp]

I started 7 Atomic Habits at the start of 2021 and it was my best year yet! One page a day turned into 39 books read including 6 by Holiday, 3 reads of Meditations, and many more from your reading list!

[joshuathomas]

"We do not rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our systems"

I think it was James Clear from Atomic Habits, but I have always related this quote closely with Stoic Philosophy.

[corwin]

Damn right. I’m a dietitian. The MOST common question I get is, “What’s the best diet?” and my answer is always, “The one you will follow”.

[ericpatino]

Sharing stoicism wisdom while sporting an "Iron Maiden" shirt -- what a legend!! and most importantly THANK YOU for sharing all these videos. They help me profoundly and motivate me to keep learning and at some point to adopt this great philosophy.

[averagejoe]

I recently read Ego is the Enemy after discovering your channel, and my mindset has drastically improved since. I plan to continue reading your work and following your ventures. Thank you Ryan for shedding light on stoicism in a world that could so desperately benefit from its principles. You’re the man

[melissahoots]

I get so much value from your videos! Thank you for your hard work. Also, love the Iron Maiden shirt 🤘

[Booster]

Small steps is the way forward! I can truly agree with this

[danielamusan]

Well being is realized by small steps, but it's no small thing. I love this quote, I put it up on my school walls. Stoicism was a good help last year. Thank you Ryan

[marcellamelville]

Nearing the end of my first year following the daily stoic journal and I am happy to say this has been one of the most prolific years of my life. The way i accept my failings, the way i navigate my life and the way I see myself have finally fallen back into the rhythm i thought i had lost forever. But i found it because i had you to lean on, Ryan. Thank you!

[sglittlefield]

One thing I've learned from your books, videos, emails, podcasts, etc. Is the number of different ways in which a Stoic quote can be reinterpreted and applied. The first time I heard Ryan do it, I was like "what the hell? That's not what he said last time!" but now it has become a challenge and source of inspiration to try and rethink and reapply these ancient lessons. Thank you.

[LilRedHeidiHood]

So important 🙌🏼 no matter how small a positive change seems, it’s a huge step in an overall better place!

[lauracoccia]

Thank you Ryan for the wisdom and encouragement. I am in several groups and I love the positive energy we reflect off each other. Simple changes. Thanks....rock on in the Iron Maiden shirt!!

[noremac]

Thank you. I’ve bought the book Atomic Habits and it’s hard to realise how I’ve mostly failed in this area and how it has affected my life. It almost feels too hard at 55 to deal with this now.
Lost my mental health over the past few years and trauma over the past year, so really hard to find the energy and motivation to climb my hill, but I know I have to…for the sake of my family and children

[wenilynpastolero]

I just saw this video and I'm a fan of stoicism since the start of the pandemic when I discovered it. Thank you for this video and more power. Much love from Philippines

[ianmacrae]

Always enjoy listening to Ryan speak on Stoicism and good habits. At this point in my life I mostly know what to do and how to do it, but reminders and inspiration are requirements for me to stay the course. God bless Ryan Holiday and everyone out there trying to be the best version of yourself. That is all you can really do. Don't be so hard on yourself if you are trying your best. We all judge and fail, but continue to rebound and stay the course.

[classicvibes]

Ryan was and is still a "METALHEAD" 🤘
Thanks you for introducing me to stoicism and it is really helping me to live life greatly ..

[bobbycecere]

Your number 2, Working a program Because you can't currently trust your own thinking and motivations is What I've been doing for a year now.
I have a borderline personality disorder, I find it difficult to choose a direction.
My moral compass is likewise all over the place.
I joined a couple of 12 step fellowships and started using their principles as guide posts. Right now, I'm doing better than I've ever done in my life.

[privateequityguy]

*“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement” - James Clear*

[wanderingfinds]

I get a tattoo every 1-2 years and I think about the a quality or virtue I want to cultivate for that year. The first one I got was a thunderbird with the thought (I want to create/will things into being/change my reality) and another year I got a feathered serpent (wisdom, creativity, resurrection / the ability to bring my "self" out of the realm of the dead without the parts of me that hinder me aka my deadwood) and I think that mindfulness helped me change my life (4 years now I went from nothing to building a company with 70 people on my payroll)

[Fatima_]

Ryan, your videos and your books have genuinely helped me so much in the last 5 months of 2021, and even now in 2022. Thank you for making such amazing content that inspires so many of us. You're a gem.