Yesterday we explored the philosophical foundations of Stoic practice. How training our virtuous self-control through exercise develops personal excellence and happiness. Today, we put that theory into action.
Hey there. It's me, Kore. And you're listening to Exercising Self-Control: From Fitness To Flourishing.
As we learned, the Dichotomy of Control teaches us that only our choices, our intentions, are truly up to us. Today's practice will help you strengthen your faculty of choice through a simple three-phase system inspired by the three disciplines of Epictetus.
Remember the wisdom of Musonius Rufus: "In effectiveness…practice takes precedence over theory as being more influential in leading men to action." Let's put that wisdom to use.
The Three-Phase Practice
You're going to split the day into three distinct phases that align with the Stoic disciplines.
Morning
Prime your mind for the day ahead. This is your Preparation Phase.
Sit quietly and contemplate the Dichotomy of Control in the context of your health and fitness behaviours. As Epictetus taught us, your body is not in your control but you can choose how you treat it.
Clarify your standard of excellence. What does virtuous self-control look like in your eating, your exercise, your recovery, and your sleep? Remember, we're training to become what Epictetus called an "Olympic victor" and that requires knowing what excellence means to you.
As you imagine your day ahead:
See yourself faced with options of what to eat and drink, then following through with choices that align with your values and your goals.
Visualize facing temptation and asking yourself, "How can I ensure I make the right choice?"
Picture your workout not just as physical training but as strengthening your ruling centre.
During the Day
Be mindful of your choices as you live them. This is your Excellence-In-Action Phase.
Throughout the day pay attention to the gap between Thinking Choice and Enacted Choice. When you successfully bridge that gap (e.g. working out despite feeling tired and unmotivated or choosing the apple over the donut) you're building the strength that matters.
When your Enacted Choice aligns with your values, pause and recognize that. This is virtue in action. Feel the satisfaction of living with personal excellence.
When you stumble, perhaps eating something you'd planned to avoid, accept the misstep with equanimity. Then immediately return your attention to the behaviour you want of yourself. As Epictetus reminds us, progress is found in turning "away from external things to concentrate on your own power of choice."
Evening
Review, refine, and prepare. This is your Wisdom-Building Phase.
Before bed, engage in the Stoic practice of reflecting on the day. Ask yourself these questions:
How did I exercise virtuous self-control today?
Which choices strengthened my character?
When did I successfully focus on what's "up to me"?
In what circumstances, that I encountered today, do I want to focus on better exercising virtuous self-control?
Did I get frustrated with results rather than focusing on my effort?
When did I forget that health is a preferred indifferent and not the goal itself?
How can I better exercise virtuous self-control tomorrow?
In what specific circumstances will I do something differently next time?
How can I prepare to meet those circumstances with greater wisdom?
Conclusion
Through this daily practice, you're not just building better habits, you're developing what the Stoics call eudaimonia, a smoothly flowing life. Each morning preparation, each consistent choice and action, and each evening reflection builds a virtuous cycle. And, at every step, you're exercising virtuous self-control.
Remember David Sedley's insight from yesterday:
"What matters is making the right rational choices–doing everything that lies in your power towards achieving what nature recommends. It is the consistency of those efforts, not of their results, that may ultimately become perfect agreement with nature, that is, happiness."
This three-phase practice is your path to that consistency. Start tomorrow morning. Prime your ruling centre. Realize your plans with Enacted Choices. Reflect with honesty and compassion. In other words, live a good life.
That's it for today. Catch you next time.
