40 Anger, gaining time, and teamwork

No. 40 – 8 September 2023

Welcome to the 40th edition of 4-TP, a weekly newsletter on building resilience, courage, and happiness.

Article

Anger is an emotion that requires close monitoring, as it can lead to regret. There are 9 timeless strategies, backed by ancient wisdom and scientific research, that can help you overcome anger and channel it to get what you're after.

— Read more​

Quote

"Just as fire tempers iron into fine steel so does adversity temper one’s character into firmness, tolerance, and determination.”

— Margaret Chase Smith, Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force Reserve and US Senator

Insight

How to be more courageous so you can live happier and be more confident in life... It lies in mastering these 2 ancient Stoic techniques:

The goal of these techniques — preparation. To familiarize yourself with the unfamiliar. To fortify the mind.

1/ Live out your worst-case scenarios

1.a. Schedule it

Schedule the worst that can happen in whatever endeavor you’re pursuing and then reenact it. “If you want a man to keep his head when the crisis comes you must give him some training before it comes." Seneca

1.b. Visualize it

It makes it more real and has a way of getting the mind familiarized. “We should project our thoughts ahead of us at every turn and have in mind every possible eventuality instead of only the usual course of events.” Seneca

2/ Meditate on your mortality

What’s the worst-case scenario in everything we do? It’s not losing a competition, failing to get a promotion, or being rejected by a loved one. It’s death.

Socrates says, “To philosophize is to learn how to die.” Because if we prepare for this ultimate scenario, nothing else will catch us by surprise. In fact, we become more emboldened.

Seneca: “He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a living man." "But he who knows that this was the condition laid down for him at the moment of his conception will live on those terms."

Question

Working in a group or team is one of the most direct ways to assess your ability to get along with others, manage diverse personalities, and express your opinions. It also reveals whether you work to contribute or for personal gain.

Do you seek recognition and praise, or do you strive to advance the mission, regardless of recognition?

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Till next week,
— Carlos & Stef