These 14 Small Mindset Shifts Will Change Your Life

For the most part, we can’t change the world. We can’t change the fundamental facts of existence–like the fact that we’re going to die. We can’t change other people.

Does that mean that everything is hopeless and permanently broken?

No, because although we have that extreme powerlessness in one sense, we have an incredible superpower in another: We can change how we think about things. We can change how we view them, how we orient ourselves to them.

So one way to think about Stoicism itself then is as a collection of mindset shifts for the many situations that life seems to thrust us in. Indeed, Seneca’s Letters, Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, and Epictetus’ Discourses are filled with passages, anecdotes, and quotes which force a shift in perspective.

Here are 14 that I have taken from the Stoics over the years that will change your life.

#Stoicism​ #DailyStoic​ #RyanHoliday​

[AgiluAmlam]

Stoicsm and Ryan's influence on my life has been phenomenal. Just recently, I was stuck for hours at the shanghai Pundong Airport. My brother was restless and suffered during those long hours. I, on the other hand, remembered this video and decided to enjoy the airport. I literally took more than 100 pictures and made more than 5 friends, and I completed a short course on coursera. I made the most of it...

[Brandon-osqr]

1. Poverty isn't only having too little 1:05
2. The world is dyed by the color of your thoughts 2:26
3. Anxiety isn't escaped, it's discarded 3:46
4. Alive time or dead time? 4:55
5. What good is posthumous fame? 7:20
6. It's the surprise that kills you 9:10
7. Everything has a tax 9:33
8. You can't learn what you think you already know 10:30
9. People are just doing their job 11:20
10. Opinions are optional 12:10
11. Every event has two handles 13:00
12. Everything is an opportunity for excellence 13:45
13. They don't want you to be miserable 14:22
14. Death isn't in the future, it's happening now 15:48

[donovananthony]

Stoicism, Marcus Aurelius and Ryan Holiday have had the biggest impact on my adult life and in my way of thinking. Forever grateful for the discovery. ❤

[magueysunset]

Rushing is another form of going nowhere. I learned that from a book called 30 Days to Reduce Stress by Harper Daniels. A huge shift for me occured when I learned to slow down and take things one at a time and allow myself to go as slow as possible without distraction.

[anthonylopez]

I deeply respect how passionate you are about stoicism and philosophy in general. Inspired me to lead with this mentality. Thank you for your service.

[TheNibNerd]

I've recently discovered stoicism but a few years ago I began changed my thinking without even knowing I was thinking like a stoic.

[MystikalSage]

I've been applying the adage from one of Ryan's past vids about the fact that "you don't need to have an opinion" - and applying that to different facets of life and it is in fact very freeing and can be likened to that of a mindfulness approach where you dis-identify with egoic traits, or opinions.

[StoicLegend_Official]

The above points highlight positive perspectives and thoughts that can potentially change our lives. They emphasize the importance of positive thinking, adaptability, seizing opportunities, living in the present, and respecting others. These help us develop positively, seek success, and happiness in our daily lives. - Stoic Legend

[StoicEvolution]

"The willing are led by fate, the reluctant dragged." - Cleanthes

[willjordan]

I’m at the point where I am watching you Ryan, to share this philosophy with others. You have taught me more than I deserve

[lillianbarker]

My only regret now that I’m old is that I didn’t ask more questions.

[adriana]

Love your daily e-mails. They made my days👍🏻 You doing great job💪🏻

[ashafruits]

The rain in the background is so wonderful!

[AlaskaCamoKim]

Wow. Really needed this right now. Thanks Ryan!

[OtakuOG]

Such a great video! Thanks Ryan! Love your books and can't wait for the next book "Right thing, right now"!

[Vetiyx]

I understand the whole concept of the poverty idea. But I when I see other people doing better than me, I feel motivated to at least change the things I can change. It's bad to constantly compare yourself to others, but it's good to have some good competition that drive you to success.

[travisbutcher]

Thank you for this summary. This may be your best video to date

[CallMeGailyn]

I've been listening to Ryan for years and he stands out more than every against an AI clonal landscape of "stoic" channels.

[vegasdave]

Thank you very much for your reading lists. I look forward to them.

[farcushenderson]

Digging how you're incorporating the vfx representation of Marcus, Epictetus, Seneca -- sorta trippy, but I'm into it! Looking forward to seeing how that part of these videos evolve. And how many b-roll shots of Ryan sitting down to right do y'all have on file? Bet ya can't get enough of those for how much content you're cranking out haha.

But as always, a great collection of thoughts and well laid out in an interesting and digestible way. Huge fan. Big thanks to the Daily Stoic team for putting in the time and effort to get these videos out all the time. I see you :)